Our C ael,olic Heritage i11 T e:a:as
had undertaken." 30 Unfortunately for Austin, all classes in Mexico were gravely agitated by the political situation. Under the terms of the Treaty of Cordova which terminated the Mexican struggle for independence, a temporary government was pro- vided, pending the acceptance of the crown of Mexico by a European prince. In the event that the crown was refused, the Mexican Congress was to be free to choose the ruler. At the time Austin arrived in "Mexico City, Congress was divided on the form of government-whether to place a Bourbon on the Mexican throne, make Iturbide emperor, or establish a federal republic. Matters were rapidly reaching a crisis. When the Republicans in Congress attempted to curtail the power of Iturbide as regent, a group of soldiers-inspired no doubt by Iturbide--staged a public demon- stration on the evening of May 18, 1822, in which the populace joined. The next morning the mob invaded the halls of Congress and demanded that Iturbide be proclaimed emperor immediately. The hero of lguala bowed to the popular clamor and Congress yielded before the glittering Generalissimo and his staff officers. Five days before, the Regency had sent to Congress the file on Texas. Austin, who bad been working for more than a month, had had sanguine hopes for an early conclusion of his mission. Now everything had to be redone. In addition to the politrcal unrest Austin found other complications endangering his colonization plan. Enterprising advent~rers had been drawn to Mexico City to obtain permission for establishing colonies, particularly in Texas. Naturally, the suspicions of the Committee on Colonization appointed by the new Congress were aroused. "The location of Texas, its fertility, and its abundant water make it superior to any other province of the Empire . .. These advantages and its proximity to the United States aroused some time ago the cupidity of the United States to possess it-a desire which they would satisfy if we do not take steps to prevent it_... Our neglect in this matter would bring upon Texas the fate of the Floridas." 31 Undismayed by rival claimants, by Mexican fears of American imperialism, or by continued political unrest, Austin persevered. Patiently he interviewed every member of the Committee on Colonization. In his spare moments he had mastered the Spanish language sufficiently to JOAustin to bis colonists, June 5, 1824, Austin Pa;ers. IIReport of the Committee on Colonization, June 3, 1822, Mezico, De;{lf'ta- ,ru,uo de Fowu,uo, (University of Texas Transcripts).
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