Forei,g,z. Colonizati<m of Texas, r820-1835
201
Six weeks after Coahuila and Texas had passed their state colonization law, in fact, in one day-April 15, 1825-four contracts were made for the settlement of 2,400 families: Robert Leftwitch, Boo; Green DeWitt, 400; Frost Thorn, 400; and Haden Edwards, 800. In addition to the new grants issued to Austin between 1825 and 1829 previously noted, contracts were approved in 1826 for the settlement of 1,400 families; in 1827 for 100; in 1828 for 900; and in 1829 for 650. The 15 contracts provided for a total of 3,050 families. None of these was entirely fulfilled, and in some instances not a single family was settled. 42 It is impossible to give even the briefest summary of every contract for colonization and of their varied success or failure. It should be noted, however, that the provisions of the various grants were the same, except for the designation of the boundaries. They were subject to all the provisions of the colonization law, limited strictly to six years, and recognized legal titles already existing within the limits of the grant. They invariably specified that the authorities _of the place from which settlers emigrated must attest to the fact that they were Catholic and of industrious and good moral character. The empresarios were bound to exclude criminals, to organize and command the local militia and to notify the government when a hundred families were settled so that a commissioner could be appointed to issue titles and establish a town. Upon the erection of a town in a colo,ny, a school had to be maintained to teach Spanish; a church had to be built and properly furnished; and priests had to be requested for the administration of the Sacraments.' 3 None of the empresarios, except the conscientious Austin, made an effort to fulfill the provisions as regards maintaining a school to teach Spanish, build a church, or requesting a priest for administering the Sacraments. "To none of these was compliance given," says Filisola, "either by the empresarios or the settlers, nor were the frequent admoni- tions of the state officials sufficient to obtain it."" Green DeWitt's colony. The most successful empresario, after Austin, was Green DeWitt. Little is known about him before his coming to Texas. 42 Barker, Life of Ste-jilsen F. Austin, 140. For a summary of contracts made by empresarios with the State of Coahuila and Texas from 18:z5 to 1834, see Castaneda, Tise Mexican Side of Ilse Texas Revolution, 311-321. 43 For a copy of a model colonization contract, see Gammel, Laws of Texas, I, 48. "Filisola, Memorias -jiara la lsistoria de Tejas, I, 1:z6. It appears that as a result of Austin's request for a priest on various occasions Father Muldoon was finally sent. Colonists in Nacogdoches also requested a priest.
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