Excerpt from The Opening of Texas to Foreign Settlement, 1801-1821

However, recent investigation in the Spanish sources has proved that the colonizing activities Of the period were vastly more than the feeble reaction against foreign aggres sion of the periods more familiar to the student Of Texas history. In fact the records show that, although the Span iards were unable to induce any considerable number Of native immigrants to settle in the wilds of Texas and at tempt to subdue the Indians, there was a splendid effort towards developing the country by the settlement of vassals from Louisiana and Mexico; that a very creditable begin ning was made; that lack Of resources, differences Of opinion among authorities, and a combination Of enemies soon brought a temporary lull, followed immediately thereafter by renewed activity; and that, while most Of the material gains were finally l-ost altogether, the way was at last pre pared for its development by the North Americans.

The period Of anglo-american colonization cannot, there fore, be understood without a knowledge Of the events Of those years, since it was during this time that practically all the foundations for future development were laid, the diverse plans of the Spanish authorities united, and their feeble hopes Of defending and developing the region hard ened into a firm purpose. Indeed, by their determined stand at the beginning Of the century, they postponed the loss Of Texas for some years; though at the same time they unwittingly prepared an ideal soil for the planting Of Austin's colony Of nominal Spanish vassals, but, in reality, Of true liberty-loving, home-seeking American frontiersmen who - due largely to the triumph of the movement for inde pendence - were to change the whole history Of Texas.

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