The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 21, July 1917 - April, 1918 Page: 249
434 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
The Government of Austin's Colony, 1821-1831
A study of the minutes for the next three years, shows the
ayuntamiento performing the various functions of, a modern city
and county commission: laying off roads and supervising their con-
struction; regulating ferries and ferriage rates; creating boards
of health, boards of medical examiners, and quarantine boards;
regulating weights and measures; repairing churches and public
buildings; directing militia organization; holding special elections
and settling election disputes; serving generally as conservator of
public morals, first warning and then punishing vagrants, and
drunkards, enforcing the laws against gambling and other forms
of vice, and closing "tipling shops" at ten o'clock. It assisted
Austin in keeping the colony free of undesirables, advising when
to grant and when to withhold titles to land; and relieved him of
no little responsibility in deciding when titles should be forfeited
for non-fulfilment of the conditions of the grant. Finally, it
strove earnestly, but without success, to raise funds for the estab-
lishment of an academy at San Felipe. The problem of getting
revenue for indispensable expenses remained always a most diffi-
cult one and the collections left no surplus for permanent im-
provements. The courthouse and jail projected by the first ayun-
tamiento were still unbuilt in 1832. This made the safeguard-
ing of prisoners awaiting trial an expensive and embarrassing
task, and helped to emphasize the defects in the judicial system.
Another difficulty was that of keeping a competent secretary ac-
quainted with Spanish. Samuel M. Williams served during most
of the period under examination, but it was a, sacrifice which he
could ill afford to make, and whenever possible he withdrew from
the office. During such intermissions Austin could sometimes, be
induced to serve; and on one occasion the ayuntamiento employed,
to its subsequent regret, the Federal customs collector, George
Fisher.96 Throughout there is evidence of the closest harmony
and co-operation between Austin and the ayuntamiento; he was
always consulted on any matter of State or Federal relations.
Of the division of labor between the different members of the
ayuntamiento the minutes give us no information. The principal
employment of the alcalde was judicial, but his court records are
not preserved. The general judicial system is clear, however,
9"Minutes, October 5, 16, 18, 1830.249
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 21, July 1917 - April, 1918, periodical, 1918; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101073/m1/255/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.