The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 61, July 1957 - April, 1958 Page: 274
591 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 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:
Southwestern Historical Quarterly
sold lands and bought certificates at the Exchange Hotel or Old
Customs House in Matamoros, advertised in the American Flag
that "Mexican law and authority are forever at an end" in the
newly created Nueces County and "by the laws of Texas no alien
can hold real estate within its limits." In Spanish he informed the
reader that all original owners of land must have their lands
surveyed and deeded. He warned these owners that "preparations
are being made to locate other claims on the land covered by such
titles." So, the Mexican owner lived in a state of continual uncer-
tainty as to the future of his ancestral lands.
From both the north and south, squatters moved into the land
north of the Rio Grande. By 1847, Mexicans were reported to be
fleeing from the uncertain rule of the Mexican government to
the Texas shore of the river. A writer in the American Flag
claimed Mexicans were "in some cases offering to trade improved
lands on this side for uncleared lands on the north side." The
movement to Texas was, he said, "a perfect mania with Mexi-
cans." Soon, the squatters spread out along the river from the
Porciones de Reynosa in the Upper Valley across the Agostadero
del Gato, La Feria, Llano Grande, and Mestenas grants in present
Hidalgo County, and across La Feria, Concepcion de Carricitos
and Espiritu Santo in Cameron County. Many searched for lush
lands where natural overflows of the river sent the sugar cane to
"amazing" heights, while others lived about boat landings where
they served as stevedores, and at woodyards where they cut the
mesquite used in fueling the boats.
As the tide of squatters set in, the original owners were in great
distress. Rafael Garcia Cavazos advertised in the American Flag,
"I am the owner of a tract of land in Cameron County and
bounded by the Rio Grande and extending to the Rio Colorado
which tract embraces the entire river front opposite Matamoros.
The deeds of the Ayuntamiento of Matamoros purporting to be
titles to labors of lands are of no value." Cavazos warned all
squatters holding such papers to leave his lands as they were, he
claimed, "trespassers." Furthermore, he said, "I am determined
to appeal to the laws for the protection of my just rights."7 The
albid., December 18, 1847.
7lbid., June 13, 1848.274
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 61, July 1957 - April, 1958, periodical, 1958; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101164/m1/332/: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.