Eugene C. Barker

The Life of Stephen F. Austin, Founder of Texas, 1793-1836 (eBook, ePUB)

A Chapter in the Westward Movement of the Anglo-American People

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

The definitive biography of the legendary Empresario who colonized Texas for the Mexican government before leading the Texas Revolution. First published in 1925, The Life of Stephen F. Austin remains one of the finest works of Texas biography. An historian at the University of Texas, Eugene C. Barker spent nearly twenty-five years researching and writing this magisterial narrative, combining impeccable academic standards with engaging and lively prose. The son of Moses Austin, who received an empresario grant from Spain to settle Texas, Stephen took the mantle and began settling the region for the newly independent state of Mexico. He sold parcels of land to families of Anglo-Americans who later became known as the Old Three Hundred. When this growing Anglo community rebelled against the Mexican government, Austin led volunteer forces to victory at the Siege of Bexar and later served as Secretary of State for the Republic of Texas under President Houston.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: University of Texas Press
• Seitenzahl: 495
• Erscheinungstermin: 24. Februar 2022
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9780292792111
• Artikelnr.: 63555979

Autorenporträt

Eugene C. Barker (1874–1956) was a professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin.

Inhaltsangabe

1. CHAPTER I. In the Current of the Westward Movement.
* Ancestry and Migrations—Massachusetts—Connecticut—Professor
Garrison’s Estimate of the Austins—Their National Importance in
American History Unrecognized—Early Life of Moses Austin—His
Introduction to Lead Mining—Migration to Philadelphia—To
Richmond—Marriage—The Chiswell Lead Mines—Migration to Southwestern
Virginia—Lack of Success—Hears of the Lead Mines in Missouri—Liberal
Immigration Policy of Spain—Hardships of the Journey to Missouri—St.
Louis—The Mines—Business Arrangements—Return Home—Removal to
Missouri—Missouri in 1797.
2. CHAPTER II. On the Missouri and Arkansas Frontier
* Austin’s Mine Claim Disputed—His Personal
Characteristics—Improvements at the Mines—The Mines in 1804—The
Effect of the Louisiana Purchase on Land Claims—On
Immigration—Business—Austin’s Family Life—Education of Stephen F.
Austin—Of the Younger Children—Financial Embarrassments—Effect of the
War of 1812—The Bank of St. Louis—Stephen F. Austin in the
Territorial Legislature—In Arkansas—His Equipment for His Career.
3. CHAPTER III. The Inauguration of Texan Colonization
* The Conception of the Movement—Moses Austin at San Antonio—Bastrop
Intervenes—The Government of Texas—Austin’s Return to
Missouri—Hardships of Travel—Contracts with Emigrants—Death—Stephen
F. Austin Carries On—Friendship of Joseph H. Hawkins—Recognized as
His Father’s Successor—Reconnaissance and Selection of Site for the
Colony—Condition of Texas in 1821—Austin’s Plan for Distributing
Land—Popular Interest in His Grant—Partnership with Hawkins—Form of
Contract with Colonists—First Settlers—Miscarriage of the
Lively—Necessity for a Trip to Mexico—Austin’s Impressions of Mexico.
4. CHAPTER IV. Austin in Mexico
* Review of Mexican Political History—The Situation as Austin Found
It—Consideration of a General Colonization Law—Various Delays—First
Draft of the Law—Other Applicants for Colonization Contracts—Austin
Urges Congress to Confirm His Grant—His Plan for Regulating Indian
Relations—Iturbide Proclaimed Emperor—European Applicants—Fears of
the Expansion of the United States—Austin again Urges Congress to
Act—Letters of Encouragement to the Settlers—Colonization
Bill—Gutierrez de Lara——Gómez Farías—Restriction of Settlement to
Catholics—The Obstacle of Slavery—Zavala—Postponement of the
Bill—Arrest of Deputies—Austin Appeals to Iturbide—The Bill again
Postponed—Zavala Proposes Reform of Congress—Iturbide Dissolves
Congress and Creates the Junta Instituyeme—Austin again Appeals for
Action—The Junta and the Bill—Austin and the Slavery Article—Imperial
Confirmation of Austin’s Grant—Fall of Iturbide—Austin’s Grant
Confirmed by Congress—Austin’s Standing in Mexico—His Influence on
Mexican Constitutional History—His Views on Public Education—His
Connection with the Acta Constitutiva—His Views of Mexican Political
Development—Austin’s Powers Defined—Effects of His Detention in
Mexico.
5. CHAPTER V. The Establishment of the First Colony
* Motives of Emigration—The Westward Movement—Cheap Land—Effect of the
Cash System—Of the Panic of 1819—Reports of Migrations—The Opportune
Opening of Texas—Widespread Interest in Texas—Queries of
Immigrants—Status of Slavery and Religious Toleration—Immigration
Checked by Austin’s Detention in Mexico—Numbers in Texas—Local
Government—Austin’s Proclamations—Beginning of Friction over Land
Fees—Indian Relations—Tonka was—Karankawas—Tahuacanos and
Wacos—Militia Organization—Trouble over Land Fees—The Intent of the
Law—Austin’s Understanding—The Rising Opposition—The Political Chief
Annuls the Fees—Austin’s Protest and Defense of the Fees—Substitute
for the Fees—His Public Services—Complaints of Unequal Land
Grants—Buckner, Gaines, and Others—Austin’s Forbearance and
Tact—Judicial System—Austin’s Civil and Criminal Code—Services of the
Alcaldes—Austin’s Defense of the Judicial System against Interference
of the Political Chief—Colonists Contribute Corn for Expenses of
Congressman—Bastrop Represents Texas in Constituent
Legislature—Establishment of Austin’s Capital, San Felipe de
Austin—Progress of the Colony—Personal Losses.
6. CHAPTER VI. The Extension of Anglo-American Colonization
* The National Colonization Law—The State Colonization Law—The
Provision for Empresarios—Miscellaneous Provisions—The Public
Services of Empresarios—Colonization Grants by the State—Austin
Foresees Cotton Culture—Applies for a New Contract—Boundaries of His
First Colony—The “Little Colony”—The “Coast Colony”—Grants to Burnet,
Zavala, and Vehlein—The Form of Colonization Contracts—Rapid
Immigration Despite Mexico’s Attitude toward Slavery and Lack of
Religious Toleration—Austin’s Colony the Goal of Most Immigrants—Its
Development—Sources of Immigration—Procedure in Obtaining
Land—Fees—Exclusion of Bad Characters by Austin—His Administrative
Duties and General Influence—Land System—Judicial System—Relations
with Prominent Mexicans—Local Government—The Land
Commissioner—Growing Prestige of Austin among the Colonists and the
Reasons for It—The Indian Nuisance Ended—Personal Traits.
7. CHAPTER VII. The Fredonian Rebellion
* The Haden Edwards Grant—The Spanish Settlement of Nacogdoches—The
Problem of the Old Inhabitants—Local Government—Edwards Requires
Proof of Land Titles—The Policy of the Government toward the
Squatters—Edwards’s Lack of Tact—Opposition of the Old
Inhabitants—Edwards’s Justification of His Policy—Boundary Conflict
with Austin’s Colony—Austin’s Blunt Advice—A Local Election
Controversy—The Political Chief Warns Edwards—Edwards Yields under
Protest—Rumors of Revolt—Increasing Friction—Austin’s Advice—The
Governor Annuls Edwards’s Contract and Orders His Expulsion—Kangaroo
Court at Nacogdoches—Austin Attempts to Stay the Revolution and to
Soothe the Authorities—The Border Settlers Remain Loyal to the
Government—The Cherokees—Austin’s Colony Supports the Government—Bean
Prevents Spread of Revolution—Austin’s Services—Suppression of the
Revolt—Austin’s Justification.
8. CHAPTER VIII. The Struggle for Stabilizing Laws
* Austin Compares His Labor with that of a Farmer Improving Virgin
Land—Statement of Reforms and Improvements Essential to
Prosperity—Mexican Tariff System—Exemption of the
Colonists—Legalization of the Port of Galveston—Austin Urges Coasting
Trade with Mexico and Cotton Trade with Europe—Concessions Needed to
Bring This About—Practical Opposition to Coasting Trade by Mexican
Port Officers—Rapid Development of Trade with the United
States—Establishment of Constitutional Local Government—The First
Election—Functions of the Officers—The Jurisdiction of the
Ayuntamiento—Austin’s Continued Responsibility—Need of Judicial
System—Austin’s Efforts to Obtain One—Defects of the System Provided
by the Constitution—The Holtham Case—Seth Ingram and H. H.
League—Origin of the First Homestead Law—Austin Proposes a Law to
Protect Debtors—Correspondence with Mexican Statesmen—Passage of the
Law—Its Beneficent Effect—Austin Dreams of a New Economic System in
which Credit Rests Solely on Personal Character—Correspondence with
Edward Livingston—Slavery—The Mexican Attitude—Austin’s Changing
Views on Slavery—The Federal Law of July, 1824—Austin Begs Exemption
from Its Operation for the First Colony—He Outlines a Bill for the
State Legislature Allowing Introduction from the United States until
1840—And Providing for Gradual Emancipation by Peonage Contracts with
Slaves—Austin Petitions Legislature against Emancipation by State
Constitution—Brown Austin Goes to Saltillo to Lobby—Article 13
Recognizes Existing Slavery, but Forbids Further
Introduction—Machinery for Its Operation—Austin Moves to Legalize
Peonage Contracts between Immigrants and Their Slaves—The Passage of
the Law, and Its Operation—Austin Combines Defense of Slavery with
Vision of Agricultural Progress—Guerrero’s Emancipation Decree—The
Political Chief Withholds Publication in Texas until Petition for
Exemption Can Be Filed—Excitement of the Texans—Austin’s Calm
Determination—Guerrero Withdraws the Decree for Texas—Austin Urges
William H. Wharton to Settle in Texas—Returning Confidence—Great
Immigration—Austin’s Reasons for Advocating Restriction of Slavery
after Passage of the Law of April 6, 1830—Really Feared Slavery—Hope
of European Immigration—But the Colonists Refused to Follow
Him—Austin then Turned to Support Views of the Colonists—Explanation
of His Apparent Instability—Want of Religious Toleration—Caused
Little Active Discontent but an Obstacle to Immigration—Austin
Expected Liberalization of the Government to Bring Toleration—His
Cautious Treatment of the Subject—Austin’s Personal Religion—His
Promotion of Education—Efforts to Obtain Schools.
9. CHAPTER IX. Austin and His Work as Seen By Himself
* Explanation of His Policy—His Love for Texas and His Faith in Its
Future—His Feeling of Obligation to the Colonists and His Loyalty to
Mexico—His Influence with the Settlers in Harmonizing Differences—His
Defense of the Local Government against Ill-informed Criticism—The
Wear and Tear of the Years—His Confidence in the Gratitude of the
Colonists—The Policy of Loyalty and Aloofness toward Mexico—His
Understanding of Mexican Character—Difficulty of Remaining Aloof
after 1830—Silence and Tact—His Policy Arouses Criticism of the
Impatient Radicals—Map of Texas—Payment of Old Debts—George Tennille
Collects on New Madrid Speculations—Anthony Butler’s Claims—The
Hawkins Heirs—Lovelace and Wavell—Personal Philosophy.
10. CHAPTER X. The Law of April 6, 1830
* Foundation of the Law in Fear of American Expansion—This Fear
Sharpened by Boundary Negotiations of Adams and Jackson—And by
Newspaper Forecasts of the Purchase of Texas—Speculations in Texas
Lands—Austin’s Condemnation of the Speculators—Poinsett’s
Unpopularity in Mexico—Terán the Real Instigator of the Law of April
6—His Recommendations—Military Occupation of
Texas—Counter-colonization by Mexicans—Alamán’s Iniciativa—Articles
Ten and Eleven—Terán Disapproves—Austin’s Protest against the
Law—Letters to Bustamante and Terán—His Argument that Immigrants to
His Colony Were Not Excluded—The Government Accepts His
Interpretation—Rapid Immigration—Austin’s Efforts to Forestall
Popular Excitement over the Law—His Editorials in the Texas
Gazette—But He Warns the Government of Its 111 Effects—Military
Commandant on the Frontier Checks Immigration—Austin’s Efforts to
Remove the Obstacle—Issues Certificates in Blank—Effect of the Law on
Other Colonization Enterprises—The Galveston Bay and Texas Land
Company—The Nashville Company or Robertson Colony—Austin Declines to
Become Involved with These Companies—Neutrality—Execution of the
Military Provisions of the Law—Garrisons in Texas—Failure of the
Counter-colonization Feature.
11. CHAPTER XI. The Robertson Colony Controversy
* Preliminary Summary—The “Texas Association” or Nashville Company
Sends Leftwich to Mexico to Apply for a Grant—Leftwich Gets the
Contract in His Own Name—Location West of Austin’s Colony—Welcomed by
Austin—Leftwich Transfers the Grant to the Company—Felix Robertson
Inspects die Territory—Sterling C. Robertson Accompanies Him—Another
Inspection—The Company Seeks Recognition from the Government—Requests
Austin’s Assistance—H. H. League—Austin Presents the Company’s
Petition and Induces the Government to Grant It—But the Company
Remains Inactive—Testimony of Amos Edwards—Of William H. Wharton—The
Company Interested in Speculation, not Colonization—Sterling C.
Robertson Obtains a Sub-Contract—Robertson’s Arrival in
Texas—Contract Annulled by the Law of April 6, 1830—Austin Intercedes
for Robertson’s Companions—Presents Robertson’s Petition to
Governor—Finds Governor Disposed to Re-grant the Territory to a
French Company—History of the French Application—Austin in
Partnership with Williams Applies for a New Grant Including the
Annulled Nashville Company Grant—Robertson’s Natural Resentment—But
Austin Helpless to Aid Him and Acted for the Interest of
Texas—Robertson Prepares to Attack the Validity of the Grant to
Austin and Williams—Ex Parte Testimony to Prove the Contract Not
Affected by the Law of April 6, 1830—Abuse of Austin during His
Absence on a Mission to Mexico—Robertson Asks for Annulment of
Austin’s Grant and Reinstatement of His Own—Vituperative Statements
to Governor and Legislature—Examination of the Facts—The Governor
Reinstates Robertson’s Contract, Austin Having Effected the Repeal of
the Law of April 6, 1830—Williams’s Ineffective Efforts to Combat
Robertson—Robertson Announces Restoration of His Contract with
Further Abuse of Austin—Williams Secures Reversal of the Case, but
Robertson Refuses to Obey—The Number of Colonists Introduced by
Robertson—Location of Eleven League Grants in the Colony and Their
Subsequent Unfortunate History—Effect of This on Austin’s Memory—The
Purity of His Motives.
12. CHAPTER XII. Popular Disturbances of 1832
* The Military Post at Anahuac—Terán’s Instructions to Bradburn—History
of Squatter Settlements in East Texas—Their Origin—Those on San
Jacinto Early Incorporated in Austin’s Colony—The Others Assured of
Land Titles, but Often Disappointed—Padilla’s Arrest—Madero Stopped
by Bradburn from Issuing Titles—Resentment of the Settlers—Austin
Advises Patience—Friction over Customs Duties—George Fisher,
Collector—His Self-Importance Arouses Unnecessary Opposition—Trouble
at Brazoria—Terán Reprimands Austin—But Removes Fisher—Austin Leaves
Texas to Attend Legislature at Saltillo—-His Anxiety and Advice:
“Fidelity to Mexico”—Bradburn’s Imprudence—The Attack on
Anahuac—Disavowed by the People—Battle of Velasco—Civil War in
Mexico—Austin Visits Terán—His Efforts to Forestall Friction in
Texas—Hears of the Outbreak—Explains the Situation to Terán—Comments
on Mexican Political Parties—Letter to Santa Anna—Accompanied Colonel
Mexia to Texas—Driven by Circumstances from His Policy of
Aloofness—Declares for Santa Anna’s Republican Party—Expulsion of
Federal Troops from Terán’s Garrisons—The State Declares for Santa
Anna.
13. CHAPTER XIII. The Conventions of 1832 and 1833
* Calling the Convention of 1832—Meeting and Work—Austin
President—Petition for Tariff Exemption—For Amendment of Law of April
6, 1830—Relations with the Indians—Titles for East Texas
“Squatters”—Primary Schools—Separation from Coahuila—William H.
Wharton Elected to Present the Petitions to Government, but Does Not
Go—Organization of a Central Committee—Mexican Inhabitants of San
Antonio Refuse to Participate in the Convention—Political Chief
Demands Repudiation of the Convention and Some Municipalities
Obey—Austin Labors for Unity—Correspondence and Travel—Induces
Mexicans at San Antonio to Present Vigorous Petition for
Reforms—Austin Tells How It Was Done—Hopes to Induce Mexicans to Join
in Subsequent Convention if Reforms Are Withheld—Precipitate Calling
of Second Convention Defeated this Plan—He Still Labors for Unity—The
Work of the Convention—Austin’s Draft of Reasons for Calling the
Convention—Provisional State Constitution—Petition for its
Approval—Petition for Repeal of Law of April 6, 1830—Austin Elected
to Present Demands to Government—His Attitude toward Formation of a
State—His Reflections on Independence—Opposed to Annexation to United
States—Did He Begin to Change His Mind in 1832?—His Mission to
Mexico—Work on the Way at San Antonio and Matamoras.
14. CHAPTER XIV. The Mission to Mexico: Arrest
* Presentation of the Texan Case—The Right to State
Government—Statistics—Action of the Government Delayed by Cholera
Epidemic—Austin Has Premonitory Symptoms—Alternation of Hope and
Despondency—Advises Texans to Organize Provisional State
Government—Ayuntamiento of San Antonio Causes His Arrest—He Labors to
Prevent Excitement in Texas—His Letters—Frank Statement to Mexican
Officials—Solitary Confinement—Mexican Judicial Procedure—Austin
Expects the Texans to Petition for His Release—Desperation—Enemies in
Texas—Mission for His Relief—Release on Bond—Waiting for the Amnesty
Law—“Explanation Concerning Texas”—The Chihuahua Road and Santa Fé
Trade—The Fact about Enemies in Texas—Austin Convinced of Necessity
of Secession.
15. CHAPTER XV. Texas During Austin’s Absence
* Subsidence of Excitement—Cholera, Floods, and Malaria—Calmness
Following Austin’s Arrest—Liberal Reforms by the
Legislature—Extension of Local Government—Reform of Judicial
System—Almonte’s Inspection of Texas—His Recommendations to the
Government—Noticia Estadistica sobre Tejas—Noriega’s Mission to
Monclova—Civil War between Monclova and Saltillo Interrupts State
Government—Another Convention Proposed in Texas—Opposition of
Austin’s Friends Successful—Continued Confusion at the Capital—Waste
of Public Lands—Speculators—Clash between State and Federal
Authorities in which Texans Sympathize with Federal
Government—Dissolution of State Government—Santa Anna Establishing
Centralized Government and Destroying Federal System—Revival of
Custom Houses in Texas—Clashes at Anahuac—Travis Attacks the Garrison
There—Action Disavowed by Public Meetings—Calling of a Consultation
to Decide on a Policy.
16. CHAPTER XVI. Austin Again at the Helm: Beginning of the Revolution.
* Popular Relief at Austin’s Return—His “Keynote” Speech Approves the
Consultation—He Works for a Full Representation—Intimate View of His
Quarters—His Recognition of the Critical Situation and of its
Possible End—The Gonzales Cannon—Austin Heads the Volunteer Army—The
Army at San Antonio—The Consultation Meets and Elects Austin, Archer,
and Wharton Commissioners to the United States—Declaration for the
Constitution of 1824—Austin’s Influence—The Mexican Liberals—Austin’s
Uncertainty—Final Advice for Independence.
17. CHAPTER XVII. The Independence of Texas: The End of the Voyage
* Sympathy for Texas in the United States—The Commissioners Obtain
Loans in New Orleans—Itinerary through the United States—Inability to
Negotiate Texan Bonds—Proposal to Nicholas Biddle—Burnet’s Neglect of
Commissioners Defeats Efforts for Recognition of Texan Independence
by United States—He appoints a New Commission—Austin Returns to
Texas—Induces Santa Anna to Appeal to President Jackson for
Intervention—Tries to Commit General Gaines to Intervention—Report on
the Mission to the United States—Austin’s Colleagues Urge Him to
Become a Candidate for the Presidency—The Campaign—Austin Charged
with Complicity in Williams’s Land Speculations—His Defeat—His
Correspondence with Williams—Reconciliation—Accepts Office of
Secretary of State—Plan to Use Santa Anna to Obtain Intervention of
the United States—Instructions to William H. Wharton, Agent to the
United States—Austin’s Unexpected Death.
18. CHAPTER XVIII. Epilogue: Significance and Personality
19. CHAPTER XIX. Bibliography
20. Index