married, the man received three hundred and twenty more; each child brought the father one hundred and sixty acres, while each slave brought his master eighty acres. When a colonist built a mill or any structure of use to the public, he was given more land. Merchants and mechanics were given town lots on which they might erect their stores or shops. All immigrants were to be free from taxation for six years. Austin, as empresario, or leader of the colony, was, on the fulfillment of his contract, to settle three hundred families, to receive immense grants of land. All colonists were required to become Roman Catholics and to swear to uphold the Mexican government. With the promise of so much good fortune, many immigrants were ready to follow Austin

at once.

The First Colonists.-Austin, being poor, was not able to fit out a vessel for carrying to Texas the needed tools and provisions. J. L. Hawkins, of New Orleans, his warm personal friend, came to his assistance by fitting out the schooner "Lively" with all necessary stores and placing her at his disposal. In November, 1821, the "Lively," with eighteen colonists on board, sailed for Matagorda Bay. Austin and some ten other immigrants started, on the same day, overland to Texas. Austin waited for months, expecting the "Lively" each day, but she never came, nor were any tidings ever received from her. Though much inconvenienced by this loss, Austin and his men did not despair. The few colonists who had come with him settled the fertile lands on the Brazos

and bravely began the work of changing Texas from a wilderness to the grand "Lone Star" State of our Union.*

Another misfortune befell Austin; after a short time a revolution took place in Mexico. This compelled him to go to the City of Mexico to have his contract renewed. He also wished to have a full understanding concerning his rights in controlling the colonists. No time was to be lost. Leaving the little settlement under the charge of Josiah Bell, he started for Mexico.t

Success of his Mission.-Reaching Mexico, he found the government in such a disturbed condition, he was forced to stay there over a year. Finally he succeeded in renewing his grant and obtaining an exact statement as to his powers. In 1823, he returned to Texas, and great was the rejoicing of the colonists.

Growth of the Colony.-Though the colony had grown weaker each month of Austin's absence, when he returned new life was infused into every thing. Immigrants came in great numbers. While their hardships

* The following from Mrs. Holly will give some idea of the hardships borne by the early Texas pioneers: "They were compelled to obtain their seed corn overland, and with much trouble, from Sabine or Bexar (ba har'). For months they were totally destitute of bread and salt. Sugar and coffee were luxuries, enjoyed only in remembrance or anticipation. Their only dependence for food was upon wild game. To range the country for buffaloes was dangerous on account of the Indians. The mustangs, or wild horses, fortunately, were abundant and fat, and it is estimated that over one hundred of them were eaten during the first two years of the colony."

+ On his trip he was overtaken and robbed by the Comanches. When, however, they learned that he was an American, his property was returned and he was sent on his way unharmed.

were still many, yet from this time the colony grew steadily. Austin surveyed and laid the foundation of the town San Felipe (fa lee'pa) de Austin, on the Brazos.

Austin's Rule.-In the colony, Austin, as empresario, was in most respects absolute ruler. Seldom does a man who has unlimited power govern with such mildness as did Austin; he was well named the "Father of his colony." Never marrying, he devoted himself to each and all of his colonists; they looked upon him as a true friend. Every child loved him, for he was accustomed to take the little ones on his knee and tell them wonderful stories of his adventures. He knew how to be severe when duty demanded. Several disorderly men were banished from the colony. The settlers were much troubled by robbers. At first Austin had them captured, tied, and whipped; but this seemed only to make them worse. On one occasion, when the robbers had not only stolen horses, but had murdered the owners, Austin bade his men follow the thieves, capture the horses, but not bring back the robbers, as that would be useless trouble. This hint was enough. The colonists killed all but one, who managed to escape. They cut off the head of the ringleader and put it upon a pole by the wayside. This warning to the thieves had a most desirable effect.

Later Contracts.-Having by 1825 introduced the three hundred families called for in his contract, Austin asked permission to bring in five hundred more. In 1827, he was ready for another hundred. In 1828, he

obtained land for three hundred. Leaving his colony growing thus rapidly, it will be best to take a glance at other parts of Texas.

EDWARDS' COLONY.

The Grant.—In April, 1825, the land between the Sabine and the Navasota rivers was granted to Hayden Edwards. His contract called for eight hundred families. In October of the same year, Edwards, with his family and a number of immigrants, arrived in Nacogdoches, where they went to work with much energy and determination.

Trouble.--It happened that, scattered here and there over Edwards' land, were settlers who had come before he received his grant; these parties claimed immense tracts of land. Some of them were lazy, insolent Mexicans, while many others were criminals from the "Neutral Ground." It is easy to see what troubles necessarily followed. Edwards gave the legal six hundred and forty acres to each married man among his colonists. Many an industrious settler cleared his farm, built his cabin, and gathered about him a few domestic animals, only to come home some day and find his entire property claimed by some worthless Mexican, who said the land had been his for years. Edwards appealed to the Mexican officers, but they always decided in favor of their countrymen, let their cause be ever so unjust. In the midst of all this, Edwards was forced to go to the United States to

arrange for bringing more families to his colony. His brother, Benjamin Edwards, was left in charge of the settlement. As the trouble grew worse, Benjamin Edwards, acting on Austin's advice, wrote a full account of the state of affairs to Blanco, the Governor of the State. This letter breathed in every word a love for liberty and hatred for injustice, yet it was by no means insolent. Imagine Edwards' surprise to receive an answer containing, among other unpleasant remarks, the following startling order: "I have decreed the annulment of Hayden Edwards' contract and his expulsion from the Mexican Republic. He has lost the confidence of the government, which is suspicious of his fidelity; besides, it is not prudent to admit those who begin by dictating laws as sovereigns. You will evacuate the country, both yourself and Hayden Edwards."

Fredonian Rebellion.-Edwards had spent thousands of dollars on his colony, and, did not feel like losing such an amount. So soon as the news spread that his contract was annulled, Mexicans from all around the country rushed in to claim the homes and farms of the Americans. Driven to desperation, Edwards and several of his colonists banded themselves together as Fredcnians, and resolved to fight for the liberties that had been promised them.* The Indians promised to help the

*The commander of the Fredonian soldiers was Martin Parmer, an eccentric hero, of whom some odd stories are told. Before coming into Texas, he lived in Northern Missouri, fifty miles from civilization. He owned a bear dog, for which he gave $50. This dog kept him supplied with such a quantity of meat, that the Indians came to him from far and near to get food, which he generously