Foreign ColonizatiQli of Tezas, I820-I835
215
tracted to bring colonists from across the Atlantic. Of these grants made for the establishment of Europeans, only two proved successful. In general, neither the Mexicans nor the Europeans seemingly cared to brave the hardships of frontier life in Texas. The Power-Hewetsun cokmy. James Power, a native of Ireland, and J arnes Hewetson, resident of Monclova, Coahuila, contracted on June II, 1828, to bring 100 Mexican families and an equal number of Irish families. The proposed colony was to be founded within the ten- league coastal reserve, with the approval of the Federal Government. The lands granted to the two empresarios lay on the coastal plain, from the mouth of the Guadalupe east to the mouth of the Lavaca, then up the right bank for ten leagues, hence westward parallel to the coast back to the Guadalupe and down the right bank to its mouth. The empresarios found the grant too small for the 200 families they planned to establish. At their request the Government, in March, 1829, extended the boundary west and south to the Nueces River. 66 The conflict of jurisdiction with de Leon has been noted. Although de Leon's request for the annulment of the Power-Hewetson grant was refused by the Governor of Coahuila and Texas, it was stipulated that de Leon colonists were to be given preference and the families in Goliad would have to be received as colonists should they apply for lands. The two empresarios were hounded by misfortune in their attempts to introduce settlers from Ireland. In 1833 two vessels bringing colonists to South Texas arrived in New Orleans. Cholera had broken out among the passengers before they reached port. Many died and were buried at sea. Seventy of the families were left in New Orleans. Their tribulations were not yet ended. The survivors found upon reaching the shore of Texas that they had to abandon the ships on the beach with the loss of furniture, farming implements and forges. Informed of the misfortunes endured by the survivors, the Political Chief promised to send a land commissioner immediately to put them in possession of their lands without delay. Former Commissioner Guajardo had died during the epidemic. The Governor appointed Manuel del Moral, who upon resigning shortly after his arrival, was replaced by Jesus Vidaurri, who proceeded to issue titles. No sooner did Vidaurri begin his work than he was stopped by the Ayttntam.ientu of Goliad on the pretext that he had failed to present his credentials and that he was interfering with the property of its
66 Translations of Empresario Contracts {Ms.), 142-145, Tera.r Land Office.
Powered by FlippingBook