History of Texas, Together with a Biographical History of Milam, Williamson, Bastrop, Travis, Lee and Burleson Counties. Page: 41

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on tile corresponding grant, and that colonies
near the boundary line should be composed
of settlers, not natives, of the United States,
had been without effect; and he expatiated
on the fact that a large number of intruders
had taken possession of lands, especially near
the frontier, without any pretension of satisfying
the formalities of the colonization laws.
To preserve Texas to Mexico, he insisted that
the Mexican population in Texas should be
increased by making that country a penal
settlement, the criminals transported thither
to be employed in the cultivation of the soil;
that foreign colonists differing from Ainerican
interests, habits and language should be
introduced; that a coasting trade be established
between Texas and other parts of the
republic. which would tend to nationalize the
department; that the colonization law of
August, 1824, be suspended as far as concerns
Texas, and the settlement of that department
be placed under the direction of
the general government; and that a comimissioner
be appointed to examine and report
upon the condition of affairs in the Texan
colonies, etc.
The congress sympathized with Alaman's
views so far as to prohibit the citizens of
nations bordering on Mexico from colonizing
any of her States or territories immediately
adjacent to them; to suspend forthwith all
colonization contracts not yet fulfilled, and
such as were in conflict with this law; to
allow no foreigner, under any pretext whatever,
to enter the northern frontier unless
provided with a passport from the Mexican
consular agent at the place of his previous
residence; and to make no further change
with reference to slave laws.
Along with the immediate execution of
this law, passed with the special and exclueive
object of preventing the further immi

gration of people from the IUnited States,
was the annulmnent of the exemption of the
United States settlers already in Texas from
taxes, which had been promised for the first
six years of their residence there. But it
must be confessed that smuggling had been
practiced to some extent by some of the
colonists under that provision for exemption.
Also, along with tlie execution of this odious
law the government sent a large military
force into Texas, under the command of
Manuel Mier y Teran, commandant general
of the eastern provinces, and he was also
authorized to establish inland and maritime
customn-houses. A military despotism was
naturally inaugurated at ani early period.
The only colonies recognized were those of
Austin, Dewitt and Martin de Leon; all
other concessions were suspended until their
contracts could be examiined and their fulfillment
verified. Titles were denied to a great
number of settlers already domiciled, and incoming
immigrants from the United States
were ordered to quit the country immediately
upon their arrival. A number of military
posts were established, manned by convicts
and other bad characters. A series of outrages
was directly begun. Military jurisdiction
was substituted for that of the local
authorities in many places; settlers were dispossessed
of their lands and property, many
of them were imprisoned, and no redress
could be obtained for thefts and robberies
commnnitted by the troops.
During the year 1831 the local authorities
and also the frequently changing administration
were at odds with each other, one party
almost constantly colliding with another, and
these in so rapid succession that the true
interests of the masses were lost sight of.
Outrages increased as the military officers
were angered by resistance or lack of respect,

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