The colonists combined, and, under command of Capt. Jesse Bnrnham, surprised and killed a considerable number of Indians.

Settlers continued to arrive both by land and water. Eighty arrived on the schooner Revenge. These landed on the west side of Galveston Bay, and sought various localities. Mr. William Pettus was among these, and made the first settlement on the San Jacinto River. From Long's expedition, in J_819, Anson Taylor settled near the Cooshattie village on the Trinity, and in 1820 Col. James. Knight and Walter C. White burned off a cane-brake on Buffalo Bayou and raised a crop of corn.

Questions.—What can you tell of the first vessel to arrive with supplies? In the meantime where diJ Austin g.i? What did he accomplish? What calamity befell the colony at this time? Who arrived about this time? What did Austin think it best to do? What did he learn? Where did he decide to go? When did he arrive? What additions were made to the colonies during this time? By whom were they visited? What was found necessary? What occurred during their absence? How were the Indians punished? Did settlers continue to arrive? Who was among them? What individuals had made settlements previous to the coming of Mosls Austin?

CHAPTER XIX.

Stephen F. Austin's Success In Mexico And His Return —Other Applicants For Grants.

After many vexations delays on account of the revolutionary condition of Mexico, Austin succeeded in obtaining a confirmation of his grant from the provisional Congress, by a s])ecial concession of that body, April 14, 1823.

Besides Austin, Haden Edwards of Mississippi, Green De Witt of Missouri, General James Wilkinson late of the United States Army, and Robert Leftwiek of Tennessee, afterwards represented by Sterling C. Robertson, were in Mexico at the same time, making applications for grants of land in Texas. These, excepting Wilkinson, succeeded later.

Austin left Mexico on the 28th of April and reached Texas

about the middle of July. He was confirmed, by the provincial authorities in Monterey, in full powers for the administration of justice and the inunicipal affairs of his colony, with the powers and rank of lieutenant-colonel of militia, holding himself subject to the commanding general of the eastern internal provinces. On his return Austin submitted his papers to De la Garza, acting governor of Texas, successor of Trespalacios, and procured the appointment of his friend, the Baron de Bastrop, as commissioner to issue land titles to the colonists. Austin laid out the capital of the colony on a beautiful prairie bluff fronting on the west bank of the Brazos, and the governor combined the name " San Felipe” with “ de Austin.”

A few colonists during Austin's absence, weary of the delay, retired to Red River ; others scattered from the original settlement on the Brazos to the San Jacinto, Colorado, etc., and a small number returned whence they came. About two hundred who had fled from Arredondo in 1813 returned between 1819 and 1822 to Nacogdoches and San Antonio, and became the centre of refined and influential communities.

De Bastrop the commissioner arrived in August, 1823, but the delay in surveying and returning the field notes delayed the issuing of titles; but in 1824 about two hundred and forty-seven titles were issued.

The adoption, October 4, 1824, by the successful party in Mexico, of a Federal Republican Constitution, gave the colonists great confidence in Mexico, and they were much encouraged.

FIGHT WITII INDIANS.

The colonists forebore to punish the Indians—Carancahuas -as long as possible, hoping to win them to a permanent friendship, but their depredations became so frequent and daring that it was thought necessary to chastise them. Captain Randall Jones was sent with twenty-three men for this purpose. They met with another party who were on the same errand, and together they attacked the Indians, killed several, and dispersed the remainder. They soon afterwards encountered them concealed in marshy grass, when the Indians fought to such advantage and with such desperation that Captain Jones retired, leaving three valuable men dead and several wounded. The Indians lost fifteen. Nine of their warriors who had prepared to kill a party from the San Antonio River were killed from an ambush, and it was hoped that this would be sufficient; but their depredations continued, creating alarm among families isolated from each other. In 1823 they waylaid three young men, killing two and severely wounding the third. Colonel Austin resolved to inflict a chastisement upon them that should effectually break them up. With about one hundred well-armed colonists he went in the direction of Goliad. To his great surprise, a few miles east of that place he met the padre—a priest—alcalde, and others of that place who had come out to intercede for the Indians. It was explained that these Carancahuas had belonged to that mission, and now, fearing the threatened punishment, they had professed penitence, and through the good padre wished to promise the colonists not to cross the San Antonio or Guadalupe Rivers—a pledge which they did not keep. (Shown in “ History of Texas,” by John Henry Brown.)

CHANGES AFFECTING TEXAS. On the 7th of May, 1824, an act was passed by the Patriot Congress in Mexico, converting the Mexican provinces into states ; and Texas, which had been a distinct province, was joined to Coahuila, “until such time,” it was said, “as Texas shall be in a condition to figure as a state by herself.” A national colonization law had been enacted in August the previous year.

Saltillo, in Coahuila, became the capital. The first (constituent) Congress met on the 15th of August, 1824, with but two representatives from Texas, when her population entitled her to four. The constituent Governor, Rafael Gonzales, was appointed by the Congress, and there was a council of four. An officer styled “ Chief of the Department of Texas ” was appointed by the governor, February 1, 1825. (See Decree No. 13.) His duties were similar to those of a governor. His residence was in San Antonio, and he was the medium of communication between the people and the governor, to whom he was responsible, and whose residence was in Saltillo. The archives of Texas were removed to Saltillo.

The first Chief of the Department for Texas was José Antonio Sancedo, who entertained prejudices against Americans. The Federal Constitution, although adopted in Mexico on the 4th of October, 1824, was not proclaimed in Texas until January, 1825, as the fundamental law of the land.

The spirit of colonization was much stimulated, when on March 24, 1825, the State Congress enacted a State colonization law, declaring that they “ desired, by every possible means, to augment the population of her territory, the cultivation of her soil, and the progress of arts and sciences," made lavish provisions for the distribution of lands, and greatly stimulated the desire for colonial enterprises. About thirty applications for Empresario grants were made, many of which failed for want of compliance with the requirements of the law.

There were many and valuable additions to the population, men whose names became identified with the most important and interesting periods of Texas history. Several came on their own account, and chose their homes independent of Empresario restrictions.

QUESTIONS.-What can you tell of Austin's success in the City of Mexico ? Who, besides Austin, was in Mexico petitioning for colonial grants in Texas ? When did Austin return to Texas? With what powers was he confirmed ? To whom did he report on his return? What appointment did the Baron de Bastrop receive? Where was the capital of the colony laid out ? How was it named ?. What changes took place in the population during Austin's absence ? When did De Bastrop issue land titles ? What occurred in Mexico in 1824, which greatly raised the spirits of the colonists? Give an account of the fight with Indians at this time. Did their depredations continue? How did Austin determine to put a stop to their atrocities? What acts affecting Texas were passed by the new Patriot Congress of 1824? What place became the capital of the new State of Coahuila and Texas? When did the first Congress meet? What officer was supplied to Texas? What were his duties? Where was he to reside? Who was the first political chief of Texas? What were his feelings toward Americans? When was the Federal Constitution proclaimed in Texas? What stimulated the spirit of colonization l't this time? Were many applications made t Why did some of them fail? Did the population increase?

CHAPTER XX.

THE COLONIES OF DE LEON, DE WITT, AND EDWARDS.

In 1823, Martin do Leon, a Mexican, obtained permission to settle forty-one families on any vacant lands on the Guadalupe River, which he effected in 1824, his grant being ratified by the State in 1825. In 1829 he was authorized to settle one hundred and fifty additional families, and to extend his bounds to the coast. (Hitherto ten leagues of coast lands had been withheld by the government.) This he also accomplished, and laid out the capital of his infant colony, which he named Guadalupe Victoria, in honor of the old patriot chief and first President of Mexico, Guadalupe Victoria.

GREEN DE WITT'S COLONY.

Green De Witt of Missouri, with other applicants, was in the City of Mexico while Austin was in that city in 1822-23 for the same purpose. His grant was delayed on account of their political troubles, and was issued by the State of Coahuila and Texas on the 15th of April, 1825.

De Witt agreed to settle four hundred families between the Lavaca River and Austin's colony on the east, the San Antonio and Nacogdoches road on the north, De Leon's colony on the south, and a line between the Guadalupe River and Cibolo Creek on the west.

Major James Kerr resigned his seat in the senate of