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Stephen Austin Signed Land Grant Certified by David G. Burnet. ...
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Description
Stephen Austin Land grant for Robert Wilson, an early participant in Texas' quest for independence and developer of the city of Houston
Stephen Austin Signed Land Grant Certified by David G.
Burnet. Four pages of a bifolium of Sello Segundo letterhead
for the State of Coahuila y Texas; 8 ½ x 12 ¼ inches; San Felipe de
Austin; December 10, 1830. A document granting Robert Wilson a
league of land "un sitio" to be surveyed by Seth Ingram. The
grant is in Spanish and reads in part: "Estevan F. Austin
Empresario to settle three hundred families over the ten leagues on
the coast of the heart of Mexico, between the LaVaca and San
Jacinto Rivers; and specially commissioned by the Supreme
government of the State of Coahuila y Texas for the distribution of
land and expediting of titles to the new colonists within the
limits of the proper empresario system..." The March 25, 1825
colonization law passed by the legislature of Coahuila and Texas is
cited as the justification by which Austin can issue the grant. The
exact location of the land Wilson is to receive is detailed using
measurements and landmarks. Signed, "Estevan F. Austin."Written in the hand of Samuel M. Williams, who also signs as a witness. Luke Lesassier signs a statement as the Alcalde certifying that "the foregoing is the original title made by Col. Stephen F. Austin as empresario and commissioner of the government of the state of Coahuila and Texas to Robert Wilson of a league of land... 4th November 1833."
With David G. Burnet ADS dated November 16, 1833 on the fourth page certifying that Lesassier is the "Constitutional Alcalde for the jurisdiction of Austin... David G. Burnet appointed United States Consul for Galveston." The inclusion of David Burnet's signature is significant as it recalls an important association between Burnet and Robert Wilson, the grant recipient.
During his political career, Wilson earned the moniker "Honest Bob." This trait would bring him in conflict with David Burnet and the entire Senate in 1838 when Wilson (then serving as Senator from Harrisburg) objected to Vice President Burnet's proposal at a secret session of the Senate to replenish the Republic's depleted treasury with a loan from a Mississippi bank of a million dollars in exchange for 8% Republic of Texas bonds. Wilson violently objected to Burnet's proposal, saying the men who owned the bank were wild speculators and could not be trusted; and furthermore, that the discussion of the proposal in a secret session was tantamount to a crime against the people of Texas. Wilson was removed from the session and eventually ousted from his senate seat. Wilson made Burnet's scheme public and eventually won re-election of the seat he had been expelled from. Although his actions destroyed his political career, his exposure of Burnet's loan plan resulted in the vote being defeated due to public opinion, saving the Republic from a potentially disastrous financial loss.
Although the grant makes reference to Austin being contracted to settle three hundred families, this grant was part of a subsequent deal and is not part of his original contract for the settlement of the "Old Three Hundred."
Together with approximately 25 related documents stored in a binder dating as early as 1841 recording instances of which the land (or portions thereof) have been sold, transferred, and surveyed. Documents signed by both Robert Wilson and his son James T.D. Wilson are included. The archive was obtained by our consignor through descent, and is being offered publicly for the first time.
Robert Wilson, an entrepreneur and politician, significantly impacted Texas during the early 19th century. In 1827, Wilson partnered with John Richardson Harris to develop Harrisburg, where he owned a gristmill and sawmill. He later built customhouses for the Mexican government in Galveston and Velasco and played a crucial role in the Siege of Anahuac in 1832, providing ships to transport Mexican troops back to Mexico.
Wilson's political career in Texas included participation in conventions addressing Texas grievances in San Felipe and serving as a colonel in the Texas army during the Siege of Bexar in 1835. After the Revolution, Wilson was elected to the Texas Senate in 1836, serving a three-year term.
Wilson collaborated with the Allen brothers to develop Houston and promoted the town of Hamilton, which merged with Harrisburg in 1839. He also supported the development of a railroad. Although his presidential campaigns in 1838 and 1844 were unsuccessful, Wilson remained influential in Texas politics and business.
Condition: Flattened folds, with light toning and bold ink. Integral sheet containing Austin's signature has darker toning along the folds, one of which traverses his signature. With bits of paper loss where the folds intersect. Fourth page containing Burnet's ADS has a panel exhibiting darker toning and soiling.
Reference: "Robert Wilson: Letters to his Son," by Wanda Louise Roark. Thesis presented at Stephen F. Austin State College, August 1966.
Auction Info
2024 September 25 Historical Manuscripts Including Texana Signature® Auction #6305 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2024
25th
Wednesday
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