November 3rd is the 225th Birthday of the "Father of Texas" Steven F. Austin. August of 1821, Austin arrived in Texas and began scouting out the territory between the San Antonio and Brazos rivers. Under an Agreement with Governor Antonio Maria Martinez, Austin would recruit colonist to Texas and receive 12.5 Cents an acre for each settler he brought in. In exchange, Austin was responsible for ensuring the good behavior of his colonist. Astin would have to deal with several changes in the Mexican government, but his determination and hard work would help bring hundreds of families to Texas.
Austin worked diligently to ensure the prosperity of Texas and turn this once vast wilderness into a modern society. He was a strong advocate for both for the rights of the Colonist of Texas and for the colonist to be loyal and law-abiding Mexican citizens. Austin worked tirelessly to reconcile the Texas settlers with their national government in Mexico City, until it was clear that reconciliation was impossible. He led the Texas volunteer forces that seized San Antonio from the Mexican Army, and served the provisional government of Texas as a commissioner sent to the United States to secure loans and aid in the war for independence from Mexico. After his return to Texas, he served as the secretary of state until his death on December 27, 1836
Austin said of Texas, "The prosperity of Texas has been the object of my labors, the idol of my existence—it has assumed the character of a religion, for the guidance of my thoughts and actions, for fifteen years." It is for this sacrifice and service to Texas that Austin is called the "Father of Texas".
Texas State Historical Association
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