The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 8, July 1904 - April, 1905 Page: 140
xiii, 358 p. : ill., maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Texas Historical Association Quarterly.
by Mexico reached the conclusion that "imperious circumstances"
did require that some check be put upon the Anglo-American im-
migration from the United States, and to this end she decreed,
April 6, 1830, that under no pretext whatever would entrance
along the northern frontier be given to foreigners unless they were
provided with a passport from Mexican agents; that citizens
from adjacent foreign countries should be forbidden to settle as
colonists in the Mexican frontier states and territories; and that
those colonization contracts which were not yet fulfilled and which
would conflict with the foregoing proviso should be suspended. In
order to enforce these enactments, Don Manuel de Mier y Teran
was sent to Texas with a body of troops. By the same law the
settlement of Mexicans in Texas was in every way encouraged.
But in regard to colonies already completed it was declared that
no change would be made.1 This the Anglo-Americans, contrary
to Mexican intent, seized upon as a warrant for further im-
migration. Many of them interpreted it to mean that empre-
sarios were authorized to continue colonizing until the number
provided for by their contracts was brought in.
Within three months after the promulgation of this law, fifty-
four families on their way to De Witt's colony landed at the
Lavaca. Obedience to the law would have required the Mexican
authorities to order these immigrants to leave the country. But
the alcalde of Goliad, Jos6 Miguel Alorete, who reported their ar-
rival to the political chief at Bejar, wisely suggested that it might
be well to allow them to enter.2 The political chief referred the
matter to the governor, Viesca, calling attention to the wisdom of
Alorete's suggestion, since the families had come under legal con-
tract, though now annulled, and at great expense to themselves.8
Whereupon the governor ordered that the newcomers be allowed to
settle temporarily in the colony, there to await his ultimate de-
cision after he had consulted with General Tern.4 Probably as
a result of this consultation, Teran wrote the vice-consul of Mex-
ico at New Orleans, James W. Breedlove, that passports were to
'Decree of April 6, 1830. Dublan and Lozano, Legislacion Mexicana,
II 238-240.
'Alorete to political chief, Ram6n Musquiz, June 14, 1830. Appendix to
Empresario Contracts, II 208.
8 Political chief to alcalde of Goliad, June 23, 1830. Appendix to Em-
presario Contracts, 11 209.
4 Viesca to Ram6n Musquiz. Appendix to Empresario Contracts, II 210.140
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 8, July 1904 - April, 1905, periodical, 1905; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101033/m1/142/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.