Moses Austin, a rugged and travel-stained American, was walking slowly
across the plaza in San Antonio one day in December, 1820. His head hung
on his breast, and his eyes were full of trouble and defeat. Suddenly he
heard his name pronounced; he turned to find himself face to face with
the Baron de Bastrop, who grasped him warmly by the hand. His eyes
brightened with pleasure at this unexpected meeting. “I thought myself a
total stranger in San Antonio,” he said.
De Bastrop, whom he had met some years before in the United States,
listened with great interest while Austin told the story of his plans
and their failure.
[Illustration: Stephen Fuller Austin.]
He was, he said, a citizen of Missouri, where he had settled when that
state was Spanish territory. His object in coming to San Antonio was to
obtain permission to establish a colony somewhere in Texas. But on
presenting himself to Governor Martinez (Mar-tee′ness), after his long
and dangerous journey, he had been coldly received and ordered to quit
the province. He was at that moment on his way to the place where he had
left his horses and his negro servant, in order to prepare for
departure. “My journey, as you see,” he concluded, “has been fruitless.”
De Bastrop,[16] a Prussian in the service of Mexico, chanced also to be
one of the alcaldes of San Antonio. “Come with me again to the
governor,” he said, leading the way to the official residence. Here he
used his influence to such purpose that in a few days Austin was on his
way to Missouri with the assurance that his request would be granted by
the general government.
But the homeward journey, made in the dead of winter, proved fatal to
him. A sickness, brought on by cold and exposure, so weakened him that
he died soon after reaching home. Before his death, however, he learned
that permission had been given him to settle three hundred families in
Texas. He left as a sacred legacy to his son Stephen the duty of
carrying out his cherished project.
Stephen Fuller Austin, the great pioneer of Texas colonists, was at that
time twenty-eight years of age. He was slender and broad-browed, with
features which showed at once the gentleness and the firmness of his
character. He had inherited his father’s self-reliance and energy—the
capital most needed in that almost trackless wilderness henceforth to be
his home. He was well educated; his manners were courteous and
dignified; he inspired with confidence and respect all who came in touch
with him. Such, in part, was the man one day to be known as the Father
of Texas.
He was in New Orleans, busied about his father’s affairs, when he heard
of the arrival at Natchitoches of Don Erasmo Seguin, the commissioner
sent from Mexico to meet and confer with Moses Austin. He went to
Natchitoches without delay, and there learned of his father’s death and
the solemn obligation laid upon himself.
He accepted the charge without hesitation, and began at once to perfect
his plans.
In July he accompanied Seguin back to San Antonio, traveling by the Old
San Antonio Road. Martinez received him kindly, and gave him permission
to explore the country and select a place for his colony. He chose the
rich lands lying between the Colorado and Brazos Rivers.
A contract was made which allowed 640 acres of land to each colonist; to
his wife (if married), 320 acres; and 140 acres to each child; 80 acres
were allowed to the master for each slave. The colonists, who must be
from Louisiana, were required to furnish certificates of good character,
to profess the Roman Catholic religion, and to swear allegiance to
Spain. They were to be free from taxation for six years. Austin was
commissioned to take charge of the local government.
These writings signed, Austin returned to Louisiana to collect
emigrants.