The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1877-04-19
Early settlements OF Te4as.

However familiar the recital Of facts
given below to old settlers, now out
numbered by the new as two to
one, the following facts recited by the
Headlight have much historical interest:
The great changes which had taken
place in the Old World had reduced
Spain in 1910 from first 70 a third
rate power. Under the new cortes
more liberal, though not more just,
policy to the masses, was adopted, and
encouragement given to colonization.
The revolution which had been set on
foot in 1910 languished for years; dur
ing which period Texas was again
nearly depopulated. Moses Austin, a
native of Durham, Connecticut, was a
man of untiring energy and great en-
terprise. He left his native State and
went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
where he engaged, with an elder
brother, in the mercantile business.
Here he married. The brothers cstab
lished mercantile house in Richmond,
Virginia, where Stephen Fuller Aus
TIN was born. In addition to his mer-
camille business, Moses Austin pur-
chased lead mine in Wythe county,
Virginia, which he worked for some
years. The mercantile and mining
business proved Improbable, and
Moses Austin determined to cast his
fortune IN Louisiana, at what is known
as Miur-a-Burton, now in Washington
county, Missouri, but then possession
of SPAN. He took with him small
colony of emigrants aud operatives.
Here he obtained from the Spanish
authorities one league of land. He
acquired a knowledge of both the
manners of the people and the laws in
regard to the provinces, especially that
of Texas. After due consideration,
and having become embarrassed by
his generous hospitality, he conceived
the idea of planting a colony in Texas.
Having matured his plans and made
all necessary arrangements, he left his
home in 1920, and proceeded to San
Antonio de BeXar, where he arrived In
December of that year. He immediate
ly called upon the governor of the pro-
vince, Martinez, and aided by the
Baron de Bsstrop, made known the
object of his visit, and unfolded his
plan, which the governor after due
consideration approved. A memorial
was drawn up and approved by the
local authorities, and forwarded to the
commandant general of the northwest
ern provinces, for his approval. The
memorial asked permission to introduce
and settle three hundred families.
Hence the name Of the "Old Three
Hundred" AS a considerable time
would necessarily elapse before an an
swer to the memorial could be received,
Austin, unable to await the result, con-
sttuted the Baron de Bastrop his
agent, and set out, January, 1921, for
his home. The undertaking and per
Torrance of his journey, all things con-
sidered, required no small share OF
moral and physical courage. The
route from San Antonio de Bexar to
the Sabine was over an unbroken
wilderness, where ranged the Indian,
the panther, bear, buffalo and wild
horse. On his way he was robbed and
deserted by his companions. Thus,
left alone, he made his way as best he
COulu 10 GHC SeIIleLuGuIS Oi LOulSldnd.
Exposure, lnclemency of the season,
and the great fatigue incident to such
a journey proved too much for him.
He reached his home in the spring,
but disease of the lungs had set in,
which terminated his life. He died on
the tenth of June, 1921, but not before
receiving the gratifying news of the
approval of his application. One of
his last requests was that his son,
Stephen Fuller Austin, should fulfill
his contract. To Moses Austin, the
Christian gentleman and true philan-
thropist, the people of Texas owe a
debt of lasting gratitude.
Upon receipt of the communication
and approval OF Austin's application,
Governor Martinez appointed Don
Erasmo Seguin special messenger to
inform HIM of the approval, by the
commandant general, of his applica-
ton. SegUin, with a suitable escort,
proceeded at once ON his mission, and
communicated the glad tidings to Aus,
tin, then on his bed of death. j.