THE AUi.TIN PAPERS 267 completing such arrangements as were deemed by the Government of Texas to be sufficient for me to progress with the settlement. These arrangements were all made through an interpreter, for at that time I did not understand one word of Spanish. In the winter of '21-'22, I arrived on the Brazos with the first families-about 40, nncl after getting them arranged to their satisfaction, I went to Bexar to report to the Government, etc., and on my arrival there in March he informed me that I must go to the City of Mexico and procure confirmation of my authority from the National Congress which convened in February, 1822. 'l'his was unexpected and rather discouraging, for the families were in an entire wilderness and my presence was highly necessary. I started, however to Mexico and arrived there in April. The var.ions revolutions and political changes of the eventful 1822 and 1823 detained me in that city one year before my affairs were finally despatched. Previous to the fall of Iturbide my business was completed, and I received all the neces- sary documents, but not until I became convinced by the State of parties and public sentiment that the Emperor must soon fall; and I feared that in such an event a doubt might hang over the legality of his acts and those of the Junta Instituyente under whose enact- ments my business was dispatched. I therefore waited until he did fall and was dethroned and the National Congress reinstated. I then presented the documents which I received from the Imperial Gov- ernment, and petitioned Congress to confirm them or do with them as that body might esteem proper. On the 11th of April, 1823, Congress passed a decree authorizing the Supreme Executive power to con- firm them; a.nd on the 14th of that month the Executive did confirm them in due form and return them to me. I then left that city for Texas. I give this narrative to show how and whence my authority eminated. You will understand that at that time the Government of this nation was consolidated. The Federal system was not adopted and the State Governments established until about one year afterwards. . The authority given to me was to introduce and settle 300 families from the United States or elsewhere, in certain limits of Texas. The Baron de Bastrop and myself were jointly"_appointed the Gov- ernment Commissioners to survey the lands of the settlers and issue titles to them in due form in the name of the Government. We were specially authorized to increase the quantity o~ land over one league t? any settler, who, in our opinion, Wlli entitled to such and increase, e!ther by the capital which he introduced into the country or by the size of his family, and there wns no limits fixed as to the extent to w~ch we might go in making such incre1:1se of qua,ntity. We were entitled as commissioners to receive fees or pay for our services, and
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