The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 69, July 1965 - April, 1966 Page: 187
591 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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General Arthur G. Wavell: A Soldier of Fortune
The state constitution of March, 1827, recognized the slavery
then existing, and allowed the introduction of slaves for six
months following its promulgation, but all children born of
slaves were to be free.86 The clause concerning slavery doubtless
would have been much more severe but for the work of Brown
Austin, brother of Stephen F. Austin, at Saltillo, when the con-
stitution was being written.87 Austin had written Milam on the
subject before the constitution was written, and Milam replied:
I received your favor by Mr. Cortis and am much conserned in
consequence of the many troubles and difficulties that appear to
oppose the colonizing sistem.
The manner in which the slave question is desided will be a grait
objection to the American population and I feare will put a suden
stop to that population that would be benificial to Embroserios
[empresarios].88
The spirit of the law forbidding the introduction of slaves was
evaded by legally freeing the Negro but binding him by contract
to work for his former master in return for the master's having
taken him to Texas. In 1828, the legislature enacted a law recog-
nizing as valid all contracts made in a foreign state between emi-
grants to or inhabitants of Texas and servants or hirelings intro-
duced by them.89
The presidential decree of Guerrero in 1829 which abolished
slavery definitely would have effected not only immigration into
Texas, but also the society and economy there had not Austin,
the political chief Ramon Musquiz, and finally Governor Viesca
protested to the federal government so convincingly that Texas
was excepted from its operation.00
The laws, executive decrees, protests, arguments, and the even-
tual modifications and exceptions made for Texas settlers had
little effect upon the practical position of slavery by 1830. It still
existed, but southern cotton producers who considered moving
to Texas could not help but wonder how long slavery would
8"Richardson, Texas, 89.
87Barker, Stephen F. Austin, 237.
88Milam to Austin, March 3o, 1827, in Barker (ed.), The Austin Papers, II, 1621.
s'Richardson, Texas, 89.
"0Barker, Stephen F. Austin, 244-249; Garrison, Texas, 158.187
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 69, July 1965 - April, 1966, periodical, 1966; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117144/m1/227/?rotate=270: accessed May 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.