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Stephen Fuller AustinTexas Secretary of State
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Biography of Stephen F. Austin
- Political Career
- Settlement in Texas
- Leader of the Colony
- Tensions and Conflict
- Independence and Later Years
Biography of Stephen F. Austin
Early LifeStephen F. Austin was born in 1793 in Virginia. When he was five years old, his family moved to Missouri. After completing his education at Yale College, he returned to Missouri, where he simultaneously owned a store, managed a family mining business, and served as director of a failed bank.
Political Career
From 1814 to 1820, Stephen Austin served as a member of the Missouri Legislature. In 1820, he was appointed as a district judge by the governor of Arkansas.
Settlement in Texas
Stephen Austin's father, Moses Austin, was the first American to dare to settle in the Spanish province of Texas (Tejas). In 1820, he traveled to the "capital" of Texas, San Antonio, to submit a land grant application. A year later, the permission was granted, providing 200,000 acres for 300 American families in Texas. However, Moses Austin died before the settlement could begin, and the responsibility fell on Stephen.
Leader of the Colony
Stephen Austin selected a location in the Colorado and Brazos River plains and in January 1822, he led the first group of settlers there. However, Mexico declared its independence at the same time, and the new authorities decided to revoke the previous permission. Austin had to travel to Mexico City, where after lengthy negotiations, he succeeded in obtaining a new law allowing American settlement. Austin was appointed as the leader of the new colony, responsible for managing immigration, fair distribution of land, creating social infrastructure, and establishing a judicial and law enforcement system. He also played a challenging role as a mediator between his colonists and the Mexican government, defending their interests.
Tensions and Conflict
Despite growing tensions between Mexicans and American Texans, Austin continued to hope for a peaceful resolution through negotiations rather than revolution. However, in 1830, Mexican authorities passed a law prohibiting further American immigration to Texas in an attempt to limit American influence in the region. This law sparked anger among the colonists, who began calling for the creation of their own government. In 1833, they created a constitution for the new Mexican state of Texas at a convention in San Felipe and delegated Stephen Austin to deliver their proposals to Mexico City. Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna agreed to revoke the 1830 law but refused to consider the question of statehood. He ordered Austin's arrest on suspicion of inciting rebellion.
Independence and Later Years
After his release in July 1835, Austin abandoned hope for peaceful coexistence between Texas and Mexico. The events in Gonzales on October 1, 1835, further convinced him of the necessity of Texas' separation. He led a group of Texans who captured San Antonio at the end of 1835. In early 1836, Austin traveled to the United States to seek assistance and support. When he returned to Texas in June 1836, the Texas War for Independence had already been won. Although he lost the presidential election in the fall to Samuel Houston, Austin was appointed as the Secretary of State and served in that position until his death in December 1836.
