Chapter 8 Section 4

The Empresarios

Mexican Land Grant

Mexico’s New Colonization Laws

• Because Austin’s new colony had so much success Mexico passed a law to encourage more immigration

• National Colonization Law of 1824

-U.S. immigrants were not allowed to establish colonies near the nation’s borders or along the coast

Coahuila y Texas• Formed by combining the separate states of Texas and

Coahuila

• This state had its own immigration policy

• State Colonization Law of 1825

-Passed as a result of the influence of Tejano leaders

-This law further opened Texas to settlement and immigration

Empresarios• Many people followed Stephen F. Austin’s

example and became empresarios

• For every 200 families they settled in the area they received 67,000 acres of land

• Head of household received 4,428 acres for $30

• No taxes for 10 years

• Only requirements: Catholics and Mexican Citizens

The DeWitt and de Leon Colonies

• DeWitt and his partner James Kerr received a grant to settle 400 families

• Settlement was located in the Gulf Coast Plain and Post Oak Belt

• The fertile soil was great for the settlers, but the location was prone to Indian attacks

• Martin de Leon was the only empresario to start a Texas colony mostly of Mexican settlers

• Colony was along the lower Guadalupe River

• Main Town: Victoria

• He did not specify the borders so clashes with other colonies occurred

Arthur G Wavell• Scotsman

• Tried to establish a colony in Northeast Texas by the Red River

• Conflicts with the United States over the border caused problems

• The colony did not succeed

James Power and James Hewetson

• Irishmen• Colony north of the Nueces River• John McMullen and James

McGloin founded another colony by the same river

• Known as the San Patricio de Hibernia, Spanish for “Saint Patrick of Ireland”

• Cholera epidemic spread through the settlement

Texas Empresarios

• Lorenzo de Zavala

- Active in Mexican Politics

- 1829-receives contract to settle 500 families

- Never established the colony but sold it to the Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company

Austin’s Contributions to Texas

• Empresario System- caused population to boom

• Won the trust of Mexican officials

• In 10 years he brought more than 1500 families to Texas

• Known as the Father of Texas