SELECTIONS FROM THE CATALOGUE OF THE SPANISH COLLECTION OF THE TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE Part II

Transcription

1 SELECTIONS FROM THE CATALOGUE OF THE SPANISH COLLECTION OF THE TEXAS GENERAL LAND OFFICE Part II Correspondence, Empresario Contracts, Decrees, Appointments, Reports, Notices & Proceedings pertaining to De León s Colony Compiled and written by Galen D. Greaser Texas General Land Office 2003

2 PREFACE How to Use the selections in this Catalogue Each entry in the topical list has been assigned a number, followed by the addresser and addressee and the description of the document or expediente. The place of origin, nature, and length of the document are noted in parentheses at the end of the description. The last line of each entry supplies the date of the record and its location. The location of the record is given by a number such as 43/2, p. 138, where 43 refers to the box, 2 is the folder number, and p. 138 is the page number, usually found in the upper-right corner of the record. The location of items included in the copybooks kept by the political chief of Nacogdoches is given by reference to the specific copybook (PCCVP, PCNSS, or CPCNA), followed by the page number. If a translation of a document has been located, this is also noted at the end of the entry. The abbreviation RTEC, for example, refers to a bound volume of translation in the Texas General Land Office called Record of Translations of Empresario Contracts. Signs and Abbreviations A. Autograph D. Document Df. Draft L. Letter S. Signed [ ] Information supplied from a source other than the document Omissions [?] Doubtful Comm. Commissioner Gov. Governor GSC General Business Regarding the Spanish Collection Laws Kimball, J. P., Laws and Decrees of the State of Coahuila and Texas Papers McLean, Malcolm, Papers Concerning Robertson s Colony in Texas CPCNA Correspondence between the Political Chief of Nacogdoches and the Ayuntamiento PCCVP Political Chief [of Nacogdoches] Correspondence with Various People PCNSS Political Chief of Nacogdoches to Secretary of State Government RTEC Record of Translations of Empresario Contracts (bound volume of manuscript translations at the Texas General Land Office) G.D.G. ix

3 TOPICAL LIST 33. Letona [Gov. José María de] Decisions of the Permanent Deputation of the state Congress (7/23/1831 and 8/13/1831), written by Aguirre, finding in favor of Power and Hewetson's contract and against the representations made by the ayuntamiento of Goliad, Empresario Martín de León, and the political chief of Béxar. This decision approved by Governor Letona. Copy made by Santiago del Valle on 8/19/1831. (Leona Vicario, copy, 6 pp.) 8/13/ /2, p. 132 Transcribes a communication from Capt. Aniceto Arteaga, commandant of Lavaca, indicating that Martín de León was the only empresario he recognized for the town of Guadulupe Victoria and that he had an order from the alcalde of Goliad, Rafael Manchola, to prevent Power from surveying any land until he appeared before the civil authorities. (Guadalupe Victoria, A.L.S., 4 pp.) 10/6/ /5, p. 170 Martín de León s Colony (#48-49); see also # , # Letona [Gov. José María de] to [José Antonio de la Garza,] Acting Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar Communicates the decision of the national government in regard to Martín de León's and Power and Hewetson's rights to colonize the littoral leagues, orders the political chief to form an expediente and forward it to the governor if the empresarios cannot agree on their boundaries, and instructs the Mexicans who claim land in the littoral leagues to petition the governor for purposes of obtaining title to it. This copy made by Santiago del Valle 3/30/1832. (Leona Vicario, copy, 3 pp.) 3/10/ /2, p. 136 RTEC, p Letona [Gov. José María de] to [José Antonio de la Garza,] Acting Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar Communicates the decision of the national government in regard to Martín de León's and Power and Hewetson's rights to colonize the littoral leagues, orders the political chief to form an expediente and forward it to the governor if the empresarios cannot agree on their boundaries, and instructs the Mexicans who claim land in the littoral leagues to petition the governor for the purpose of obtaining title to it. This copy made by J. Miguel Falcón on 12/7/1833. See another copy in Box 43:2, p (Leona Vicario, copy, 4 pp.) 3/10/ /4, p. 283 RTEC, p Barberena, José Manuel, Military Commandant of Guadalupe Victoria, to James Power 48. Establishing Martín de León s Colony Founding of Martín de León s colony, with copies of the following documents: copy of Martín de Leon's petition to the Texas Provincial Deputation seeking permission to establish a colony (4/8/1824), the deputation's approval (4/13/1824) and Governor Gonzales' ratification (10/6/1825) (p. 241); letter from Political Chief Ramón Músquiz to Commissioner Fernando de León transcribing a communication from the governor in response to claims on behalf of De León s colony (7/19/1831) (p. 249); copy of two decisions of the Permanent Deputation of the state Congress upholding Power and Hewetson's contract and denying the assertions of De León and the ayuntamiento of Goliad (July and August 1831) (p. 253); letter from Acting Political Chief José Antonio de la Garza to Martín de León transcribing a communication from the governor advising of the lapse of DeWitt's contract and the activation of the contract obtained by Manchola on behalf of De León (8/29/1832) (p. 257); copy of the 1827 instructions to commissioners (p. 261); Governor Viesca's approval of De León's request, through Rafael Antonio Manchola, to settle an additional 150 families (4/30/1829) (p. 265); Martín de León's request for a commissioner (12/1/1830) and Gov. Letona's appointment of Fernando de León to this position (4/20/1831) (p. 269); appointment of José M. J. Carvajal as principal surveyor of De León s colony and bond posted by him (9/17/1832) (p. 273); appointment of James Kerr as principal surveyor of De León s colony and bond posted by him (4/7/1835) (p. 275); letter from Ramón Músquiz to Fernando de León transcribing the governor's decision invalidating that part of De León s colony that was in conflict with Green DeWitt's and authorizing Músquiz to resolve questions of this nature in the future (6/5/1831) (p. 277); letter from Músquiz to Fernando de León communicating that Juan Guajardo had been ordered to desist from acting as commissioner in Power and Hewetson s 10

4 colony until such time as his appointment could be verified (12/6/1832) (p. 281); letter from Músquiz to Fernando de León authorizing him to distribute land and to establish the town of Guadalupe Victoria and transcribing a communication from the governor to the effect that Power and Hewetson's contract was recognized by the federal government and that the claims of individuals to land in the area of their contract were to be respected (8/1/1832) (p. 285). (Legajo, 50 pp.) 4/8/ /1, p Arizpe [Gov. José Ignacio de] to [José Antonio Saucedo,] Political Chief of Dept. of Texas Requesting the nomination of a suitable person as commissioner for Martín de León s colony. (Saltillo, L.S., 2 pp.) 6/15/ /7, p. 76 RTEC, p Martín de León s Colony (# ); see also #48-49; # Martín de León s Colony Expediente pertaining to the approval of Martín de León s colony and its boundaries. The file includes copies of the following documents: communication from the alcalde of Goliad to the governor relative to foreigners settling at Guadalupe Victoria and lack of Mexican settlers there (3/26/1825) [p. 71]; Political Chief José Antonio Saucedo s report to the governor on Martín de León s colony (6/10/1825) [p. 72]; copy provided by Baron de Bastrop of Martín de León's petition to the provincial deputation and list of settlers coming with him to settle the town of Guadalupe Victoria [pp ]; approval by the provincial deputation of De León's petition and the rules and regulations governing his settlement (4/13/1824) [pp ]; Martín de León's petition for the appointment of a commissioner to establish the boundaries of his colony and to resolve the dispute with Green DeWitt [1825] [pp ]; Political Chief Saucedo's referral of De León's petition to the governor (8/21/1825) and Governor Rafael Gonzales' decision in this matter (10/6/1825) [pp ]; another petition by De León asking that a commissioner be appointed to establish the boundaries of his colony (5/18/1827), Governor Víctor Blanco's order to Political Chief Saucedo to appoint a commissioner for the colony (6/15/1827), and Saucedo's offer to perform this duty (7/8/1827) [pp ]. (Expediente, copy, 24 pp.) 7/8/ /4, p. 71 RTEC, pp Viesca, Gov. José María to Rafael A. Manchola, Attorney for Martín de León Terms and conditions of Martín de León's second empresario contract. (Leona Vicario, copy, 2 pp.) 4/30/ /4, p. 95 RTEC, p Letona [Gov. José María] to [Ramón Transcribing his communication to José Antonio Navarro, commissioner for DeWitt s colony, indicating that since the grant given to Rafael Manchola [attorney for Martín de León] on April 30, 1829, conflicted with boundaries previously approved for DeWitt s colony, said grant could have no effect. Circulated by Músquiz to the alcaldes and commissioners on June 14, (Leona Vicario, L.S., 3 pp.) 5/2/ /4, p. 97 RTEC, p Letona [Gov. José María] Resolutions of the Permanent Deputation, approved by the governor, denying the petitions of the ayuntamiento of Goliad and of Martín de León which asked the government to void Power and Hewetson's contract to settle the coast leagues. (Leona Vicario, copy, 5 pp.) 8/18/ /4, p. 101 RTEC, p Mier y Terán, Manuel de, Commandant General, to [Ramón Músquiz,] Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar Asking the political chief to prevent James Power from taking possession of the land he claimed between the mouth of the Lavaca River and Aranzazu Creek in view of the claims by the ayuntamiento of Goliad and Martín de León. (Matamoros, copy, 2 pp.) 10/22/ /4, p. 107 RTEC, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to James Power and James Hewetson Requesting the empresarios or their representative to appear within 60 days with any document they wished to have considered for the purpose of defining the limits between their 11

5 colony and Martín de León's. (Béxar, L.S., 2 pp.) 5/1/ /4, p. 109 RTEC, p Viesca [Gov. José María] to [Ramón Communicating the appointment of Juan Antonio Padilla as commissioner general to put Martín de León, among others, in possession of land. De León notified by Músquiz on 1/8/1829. (Leona Vicario, L.S., 2 pp.) 12/4/ /4, p. 111 RTEC, p León, Comm. Fernando de to Ramón Transmitting the communication from the governor dated 4/20/1831 appointing him commissioner [for Martín de León s colony]. (L.S., 3 pp.) 6/4/ /4, p. 113 RTEC, p Alamán, [Lucas,] Secretary of Foreign Affairs, to [José María de Letona,] Governor of Coahuila and Texas Communicating the vice-president s decision in the matter of Martín de León's petition requesting revocation of the possession granted to James Power in the coast reserve between the mouth of the Lavaca River and the Nueces River. This copy dated 12/7/1833. (Mexico City, copy, 2 pp.) 12/23/ /10, p. 277 RTEC, p. 146 Dept. of Béxar, to Antonio Elozúa, Principal Commandant of Texas Reporting that he was informed of the supreme government's decision to permit the settlement of Mexicans in the coast leagues reserve and that it had been communicated to Martín de León. (Goliad, L.S., 2 pp.) 6/20/ /3, p. 39 RTEC, p Mier y Terán, Manuel de, Commandant General, to [Antonio Elozúa,] Principal Commandant of Texas Transcribes a federal government resolution regarding approval of certain settlements in the coast leagues (De León s colony). (Matamoros, L.S., 2 pp.) 5/15/ /6, p. 66 RTEC, p Kerr, James, Agent for Green DeWitt, to José Antonio Saucedo, Political Chief of Dept. of Texas Acknowledging receipt of the resolutions of the governor pertaining to the confirmation of Empresario Martín de León's 1824 contract and his right to establish the town of Guadalupe Victoria; also the proposed adjustments to the boundaries between DeWitt's and De León's colonies. (San Felipe de Austin, L.S., 5 pp.) 12/12/ /19, p [Músquiz, Ramón,] Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar Cover letter to accompany copy of Martín de León's contract with the provincial deputation and supreme government of the state. Copy of contract not found here. (Goliad, L., 2 pp.) 10/31/ /21, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to Comm. José Antonio Navarro Cover letter to accompany a copy of Martín de León's contract showing the limits of his colony for purposes of avoiding difficulties between De León and DeWitt. Referenced contract not found here. (Béxar, Df., 1 p.) 4/4/ /22, p Navarro, Comm. José Antonio to [Ramón Músquiz,] Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar Acknowledging receipt of the copies of Martín de León's contracts (see Box 126:21, p. 221). (Béxar, A.L.S., 1 p.) 4/4/ /22, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to Comm. José Antonio Navarro Transcribing a communication of 5/2/1831 from Governor Letona regarding the extension of the boundaries of Martín de León s colony that proved to be in conflict with land in DeWitt s colony. (Béxar, copy, 1 p.) 12

6 6/7/ /23, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to Comm. José Antonio Navarro Communicating the governor's decision of 5/2/1831 voiding the extension of the De León colony boundaries in conflict with DeWitt's; order to grant land to no more than 25 families in this area. (Béxar, Df., 2 pp.) 7/21/ /23, p León, Martín de to Ramón Músquiz, Inquiring whether the admission of foreign settlers in his colony would be counted toward the number of families he contracted to settle. A note in Músquiz' hand on this letter indicates that he saw no difficulties in including some foreign families in the number contracted if they met the requirements of the law. (Guadalupe Victoria, L.S., 1 p.) 1/28/ /2, p Navarro, Comm. José Antonio to Ramón Músquiz, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar Acknowledging receipt of the transcription of the governor's decision on declaring void the extension of the boundaries of De León s colony that conflicted with DeWitt's; comments on Músquiz' order limiting to 25 the families that could be granted land in this area (see Box 126:23, p. 243). (Gonzales, A.L.S., 3 pp.) 8/1/ /24, p. 246 Martín de León s Colony (# ); see also #48-49 and # Martín de León s colonization agreement Martín de León's colonization agreement of 10/6/1825, with copies of the following documents: De León's petition to the Texas Provincial Deputation (4/8/1824); the provincial deputation's admission of the petition and the conditions governing the establishment of the colony (4/13/1824); and Governor Rafael Gonzales' confirmation of the agreement 10/6/1825. This copy was made from the original by Santiago del Valle on May 21, (Leona Vicario, copy, 5 pp.) 10/6/ /1, p Gonzales, Gov. Rafael to José Antonio Saucedo, Political Chief of Dept. of Texas Resolution of the governor confirming the provincial deputation's 1824 colonization agreement with Martín de León and advising that a commissioner would be appointed to demarcate the boundaries of the town and issue titles to the settlers. (Saltillo, L.S., 3 pp.) León, Martín de to Ramón Músquiz, Reporting that James Power had exhibited a colonization contract at the town of Guadalupe Victoria and had been informed that part of the area in that contract was already occupied by De León and his colonists. (Guadalupe Victoria, L.S., 2 pp.) 2/12/ /2, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to Secretary of the State Government Transcribing part of a communication from Commissioner Fernando de León regarding a grant made by Antonio Vásquez, alcalde of Goliad, and Músquiz' advice to the government that said grant should not be recognized because Vásquez had exceeded his authority. (Béxar, Df., 2 pp.) 6/29/ /2, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to Gov. José María Viesca Letter in support of Martín de León's representation to the government regarding the conflict between the location of his colony and the colony awarded to James Power [and James Hewetson]. (Béxar, Df., 2 pp.) 7/4/ /2, p Mier y Terán, Manuel de, Commandant General, to Antonio Elozúa, [Principal Commandant of Texas] Copy of a letter transcribing a communication from Mier y Terán to Col. José de las Piedras explaining that the law of April 6, [1830] did not affect existing rights in Texas. (Matamoros, copy, 1 p.) 10/6/ /2, p. 5 RTEC, p /14/ /2, p

7 1111. León, Martín de to Ramón Músquiz, Reporting the settlement of several DeWitt colonists in the area of De León s colony and asking that they be ordered to abstain from locating there. This page also contains a draft letter from Músquiz to DeWitt dated 10/13/1830 instructing him to order his colonists to relocate within the boundaries of DeWitt s colony or to seek the consent of De León if they preferred to remain in that colony. (Béxar, L.S., 2 pp.) 8/16/ /2, p León, Martín de to Ramón Músquiz, Requesting Músquiz' assistance in collecting a debt from Green DeWitt. Also, a draft dated 10/13/1830 of Músquiz' response to this letter and to De León's letter of 8/16/1830 (see Box 128:2, p. 12). (Béxar, L.S., 2 pp.) 8/16/ /2, p Elozúa, Antonio, Principal Commandant of Texas, to Ramón Músquiz, Reporting inquiries from the commanders at Lavaca and Goliad on how the resolution of the government pertaining to the ten coast leagues was to be applied to the Mexicans already located within this area. (Béxar, L.S., 2 pp.) 2/2/ /2, p [Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of the Dept. of Béxar] to Antonio Elozúa, Principal Commandant of Texas In response to Elozúa's communication of 2/2/1831 (Box 128:2, p. 14), offers his opinion that the Mexicans of De León s colony and the Mexican residents of Goliad who had located in the ten coast leagues were exempt from the prohibitions against these locations. (Béxar, Df., 2 pp.) 2/10/ /2, p Manchola, Rafael A., Alcalde of Goliad, to Ramón Músquiz, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar Transmitting a communication from the comisario of Guadalupe Victoria reporting the presence within the littoral leagues of unauthorized Anglo-Americans. The comisario's letter is found in Box 128:3, p. 18. (Goliad, L.S., 2 pp.) 4/23/ /3, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to [Rafael A. Manchola,] Alcalde of Goliad Acknowledging Manchola's letter of 4/23/1831 (Box 128:3, p. 16) and ordering him to obtain from the comisario of Guadalupe Victoria a report on the foreigners located within the coast leagues and on those who had landed at the mouth of the Lavaca. (Béxar, Df., 2 pp.) 5/6/ /3, p Garza, [Comisario] Tomás de la to Rafael A. Manchola, Alcalde of Goliad Reporting the presence of unauthorized foreigners in the coast leagues and foreigners landing on the Lavaca River. (Guadalupe Victoria, A.L.S., 2 pp.) 4/20/ /3, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to [Rafael A. Manchola,] Alcalde of Goliad Reminding him of his request for a report from the comisario of Guadalupe Victoria on unauthorized foreigners within the coast leagues. (Béxar, Df., 1 p.) 7/19/ /3, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to [José María de Letona,] Governor of Coahuila and Texas Acknowledging receipt of the transcript of a letter from the governor to Commissioner José Antonio Navarro resolving the dispute over land included both in Green DeWitt's and in Martín de León's contracts and authorizing the political chief to resolve such matters in the future. (Goliad, Df., 2 pp.) 6/2/ /3, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to Fernando de León Acknowledging notice of Fernando de León's appointment as commissioner for Martín de León s colony and instructing him to keep a record of the grantees and amounts due the 14

8 government for their land. (Guadalupe Victoria, Df., 2 pp.) 6/5/ /3, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to Fernando de León Transcribing a communication from the governor dated 5/2/1831 advising that the dispute over land between Martín de León and Green DeWitt had been resolved in favor of the latter. (Guadalupe Victoria, Df., 1 p.) 6/5/ /3, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to Alcaldes and Commissioners Abridged draft of a circular informing the alcaldes and commissioners that the governor had authorized the political chief in a communication dated 5/2/1831 to resolve disputes in certain cases of conflicting claims to land. (Goliad, Df., 1 p.) 6/14/ /3, p León, Comm. Fernando de to [Ramón Requesting clarification of his duties as commissioner in view of Martín de León's contracts and of the fact that the settlers' had located within the 10 coast leagues and within the area designated for Power and Hewetson s colony. The original letter and expediente forwarded by Músquiz to the governor on 7/16/[1831]. (Guadalupe Victoria, Df., 1 p.) 6/23/ /3, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to Fernando de León Transcribing Músquiz' communication to the governor regarding the inquiries contained in Fernando de Leon's letter of 6/23/1831 (Box 128:3, p. 24). (Béxar, Df., 1 p.) 7/19/ /3, p Letona [Gov. José María de] to [Ramón Informing that communications Nos. 168 and 171 (see Box 128:3, pp. 24, 25) received from Músquiz had been forwarded to the Executive Council for reconsideration of the decision on the ayuntamiento of Goliad s request that the coastal land contained in Power and Hewetson's contract be assigned instead to Martín de León s colony. (Leona Vicario, L.S., 2 pp.) 8/1/ /3, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to Ayuntamiento of Goliad Notifying the ayuntamiento of the governor's decision to submit for reconsideration to the Executive Council the matter of which empresario should be allowed to settle the coastal lands between the Guadalupe and Lavaca rivers. (Béxar, Df., 1 p.) 8/24/ /3, p Mier y Terán, Manuel de, Commandant General, to [Ramón Músquiz,] Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar Communicating his opinion that the dispute over the coast leagues was a matter to be decided by the supreme government of Mexico. (Matamoros, L.S., 3 pp.) 10/22/ /3, p León, Comm. Fernando de to Ramón Reporting that settlers were requesting to be put in possession of their land but that he had desisted, pending a response to the questions raised in June 1831 (see Box 128:3, p. 24). (Guadalupe Victoria, L.S., 2 pp.) 2/10/ /3, p León, Martín de to Ramón Músquiz, Reporting discontent among his colonists at not having received title to their lands. (Guadalupe Victoria, L.S., 2 pp.) 2/10/ /4, p Letona [Gov. José María de] to [José Antonio de la Garza], Acting Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar Communicating the decision of the supreme government on the right to settle a stretch of the coastal leagues claimed by both Power and Hewetson and by Martín de León and other particulars in this regard. (Leona Vicario, L.S., 2 pp.) 3/10/ /4, p

9 1131. [Garza, José Antonio de la,] Acting to Alcalde of Goliad Abridged draft letter transcribing the governor's communication dated 3/10/1832 (Box 128:4, p. 32). (Béxar, Df., 1 p.) 4/8/ /4, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to Martín de León Abridged draft of letter, in response to Martín de León's of 2/10/1832 (Box 128:4, p. 31), transcribing the governor's communication of 3/10/1832 (Box 128:4, p. 32) and assuring De León that titles would soon be issued to his settlers. (Béxar, Df., 1 p.) 4/25/ /4, p [Músquiz, Ramón,] Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar to James Power and James Hewetson Ordering the empresarios or their representative to show the political chief the documents defining the limits between their colony and Martín de León s, complying in this manner with the order of the governor dated 3/10/1832 (Box 128:4, p. 32). (Béxar, Df., 2 pp.) 5/1/ /4, p León, Comm. Fernando de to Ramón In response to a communication from Músquiz dated 5/8/1832, states that no one with a grant from the government had petitioned him to be put in possession of land, but that if such should occur the political chief would be notified. (Guadalupe Victoria, L.S., 2 pp.) 5/16/ /4, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to Martín de León Abridged draft of letter transmitting to De León the contents of Músquiz' letter to Power and Hewetson dated 5/1/1832 (see Box 128:4, p. 35) and asking him also to exhibit the documents that could help demarcate the limits between the Power/Hewetson and De León colonies. (Béxar, Df., 1 p.) 5/24/ /4, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to Antonio Elozúa, Principal Commandant of Texas Requesting him to order the military commander of Lavaca to render the assistance required to bring before the authorities four American interlopers located on the banks of the Lavaca River. (Béxar, Df., 2 pp.) 6/6/ /4, p Elozúa, Antonio, Principal Commandant of Texas, to Ramón Músquiz, In response to the communication from Músquiz dated 6/6/1832 (Box 128:4, p. 38), reports that the commander at Lavaca has been ordered to assist, if requested, in detaining the four American interlopers on the Lavaca River. (Béxar, A.L.S., 2 pp.) 6/7/ /4, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to Alcalde of Goliad Ordering him to investigate the accusations by Martín de León against Thomas, John and James York and Stephen Betts and to bring them to justice if the accusations proved true. (Béxar, Df., 2 pp) 6/7/ /4, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to Fernando de León Abridged draft of letter ordering Commissioner De León to begin the distribution of land and to demarcate the limits between the Power/Hewetson and De León colonies, Power and Hewetson having failed to present the documents requested within the prescribed time (see Box 128:4, p. 35). (Béxar, Df., 2 pp.) 8/1/ /4, p Letona [Gov. José María de] to [Ramón In response to a letter from Músquiz dated 6/4/1832 forwarding a petition from Martín de León, orders the reinstatement of the original boundaries called for in De León's contract of 4/30/1829, DeWitt's empresario contract having expired. (Leona Vicario, L.S., 2 pp.) 8/4/ /4, p Garza, José Antonio de la, Acting, to Martín de 16

10 León Abridged draft of letter transcribing the governor's communication dated August 4, 1832 (Box 128:4, p. 42). (Béxar, Df., 1 p.) 8/29/ /4, p León, Comm. Fernando de to [Ramón In response to a communication from Músquiz dated 8/1/1832 (Box 128:4, p. 41), reports that he had requested Surveyor José María Jesús Carbajal to repair to Guadalupe Victoria for the purpose of beginning the distribution of land. (Guadalupe Victoria, L.S., 2 pp.) 8/8/ /4, p León, Comm. Fernando de to Ramón Requesting clarification of his instructions as regards the layout of the town and grants within the coast leagues. (Guadalupe Victoria, A.L.S., 2 pp.) 8/8/ /4, p León, Comm. Fernando de to [Ramón Reporting the presence of Juan Guajardo claiming to have been commissioned by the government to demarcate the coast leagues and issue titles to the settlers within it, forwarding a copy of the exchange of communication with Guajardo, and requesting a clarification of this situation. The communications between Guajardo, the comisario of Guadalupe Victoria and Fernando de León are found in Box 128:5, pp (Guadalupe Victoria, L.S., 6 pp.) 11/22/ /5, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to Comm. Fernando de León Reporting that he had instructed Juan Guajardo to desist from acting as a commissioner until he could authenticate his appointment and to abstain from surveying within the littoral leagues between the Guadalupe and Lavaca rivers. Orders Fernando de León to continue exercising his duties as commissioner until instructed otherwise. (Béxar, Df., 2 pp.) 12/6/ /5, p León, Martín de to Ramón Músquiz, Requesting Músquiz to forward to the state Congress via the governor a petition from his colonists seeking an augmentation to their pasture lands. The document also contains Músquiz' draft response dated 1/12/1833 at Guadalupe Victoria to De León indicating that the petition had been forwarded to the governor. (Guadalupe Victoria, L.S., 2 pp.) 1/5/ /5, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to [Rafael Eca y Múzquiz,] Governor of Coahuila and Texas Transmitting Martín de León's letter of 1/5/1833 (Box 128:5, p. 51) and the petition of his colonists to the governor and seconding their request, particularly in view of the audacity of the foreign settlers who had advocated separating Texas from Coahuila. (Guadalupe Victoria, Df., 2 pp.) 1/10/ /5, p León, Comm. Fernando de to Ramón Forwarding to Músquiz a petition from José M. J. Carvajal asking to be put in possession of ten leagues of land in De León s colony by virtue of a grant from the state government. Músquiz' draft of a response to De León dated 1/22/1833 is found with this same letter. (Guadalupe Victoria, L.S., 2 pp.) 1/22/ /5, p Músquiz, Ramón, Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar, to Alcalde of Goliad Abridged draft of a letter transcribing the governor's communication of 8/4/1832 (Box 128:4, p. 42) and ordering that Martín de León not be impeded in the location of his colonists. (Béxar, Df., 2 pp.) 2/5/ /5, p León, Martín de to Vice-Governor Juan Martín de Veramendi Asking that the layout of the town of Guadalupe Victoria not be altered because the town was laid out and buildings were constructed prior to the issuance of the instructions governing this matter. (Guadalupe Victoria, L.S., 3 pp.) 2/22/ /5, p

11 1151. León, Comm. Fernando de to Manuel Ximénez, Acting Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar Reporting that his work as commissioner was at a standstill and that he intended to travel to the United States for four months on personal business and to dispel the gloom caused by the death of his wife. Indicates, also, that in his absence Plácido Benavides would keep the archives of his office. (Guadalupe Victoria, L.S., 2 pp.) 4/7/ /5, p Valle, Santiago del, Secretary of the State Government, to Miguel Arciniega, Acting Communicating that the acting governor had forwarded to the next session of Congress Martín de León's petition for an augmentation of land for his colonists (see Box 128:5, p. 51). This letter was transcribed and sent to De León by Arciniega 8/29/1833 according to a note on this document. (Monclova, L.S., 2 pp.) 8/10/ /5, p Index of correspondence with the empresarios and commissioners for 1833 (only three items listed). (1 p.) 0/0/ /5, p León, Comm. Fernando de to Miguel Arciniega, Acting Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar Reporting that he was ready to proceed to the formal establishment of the town [of Guadalupe Victoria] and to the election of the ayuntamiento and requesting a copy of the pertinent laws. A draft letter from Músquiz dated 4/8/1834 on this same document informs De León that the election of the ayuntamiento required the approval of the state Congress. (Guadalupe Victoria, L.S., 2 pp.) 5/29/ /5, p Power, James to Ramón Músquiz, Forwarding to the political chief via Robert Caralile [Carlisle] the documents Músquiz requested in a letter dated 5/1/1832 (see Box 128:4, p. 35) and arguing for recognition of his rights over those of Martín de León. (San Patricio, copy, 3 pp.) 6/23/ /7, p Letona [Gov. José María de] to Ramón Acknowledging receipt of the political chief's communication forwarding the petition from the ayuntamiento of Goliad asking that the coast leagues in Power and Hewetson s colony be left to Martín de León; advises that the petition had been passed to the Executive Council. (Leona Vicario, L.S., 2 pp.) 6/23/ /9, p Mier y Terán, Manuel de, Commandant General, to [Ramón Músquiz,] Political Chief of Dept. of Béxar Conveying his opinion that the dispute over the rights of empresarios Power/Hewetson and De León in the coast area between the Lavaca and the Aranzazú was a matter to be resolved by the central government and requesting that Power not be allowed to colonize in this area, permitting him, however, to colonize between the Aranzazú and the Nueces provided the settlers were not Americans. (Matamoros, L.S., 3 pp.) 10/22/ /11, p /5/ /5, p León, Comm. Fernando de to Ramón Advising Músquiz that he had been informed that Antonio Vásquez, alcalde of Goliad, had given possession of two leagues of land on the west bank of the Guadalupe and was unaware by what authority this act was performed. (Guadalupe Victoria, L.S., 2 pp.) 18