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Born
Ireland; came to the US in 1808 -- lived in New Orleans 12 -- years --
went to Mexico in 20 and came to Texas on a visit in 1823; remained 12
months & returned to Mexico. He obtained an Empresario grant
in Mexico, under the first & general Colonization law -- Victoria
President -- The grant was made to Power and Hewitson; (Dr. Jas.
Hewitson from Ireland) residing in Saltillo) -- grant was obtained from
the Genl. Govt. in May 1828 -- and confirmed by the State Govt. in the
year after -- The State tho' authorized to make Empresario Grants
Contracts, would not do it for the 10 Border Leagues from the Gulf which
had been served, without the cosent [sic] of the Genl. Congress.
Power and Hewitson applied to the State authorities who recommended the
application to the Genl. Govt. Under this recommendation, the Grant was
obtained. The first grant mebraced [sic] from the guadaloupe [Guadalupe],
to the Labaca [Lavaca] -- and second grant
called an augmentation, extended from the Guadalupe to the Nueces River
-- These to be Mexicans, and the other half to be Irish Catholics --
Before he could do anything towards Colonizing, he met with several
difficulties -- first he was opposed by a claim which Martin
De Leon put up for the same lands. De Leon's claim to the
territory was founded (on) a contract between a provisional governmt
[sic] and himself in 1811 or 12 when Mexico was in a state of Revolt to
old Spain. This claim, wholly unknown to the govermt. of Mexico
& to the state also and not based upon any authority recognised
[sic] by them, was of no force; but if formed a pretext for the
political Chief Musquiz to oppose & emvarrass [sic] Power in his
attempts to settle his colony; Musquiz's opposition arising from the
fact that he had located 6 leagues of of [sic] land on the Lavaca --
Muquiz and Deleon, applied to Genl. Teran, wjp [sic] [who]
was appointed to emforce [sic] the law of April 1830; and Teran
immediately sustained the pretensions of Musquiz and ordered Power under
a heavy penalty not to survey a foot of the soil under his contract --
Power, attempted to show Teran, that the law of 1830 did not affect his
grant, because his imm emigrants were to be Irishmen
& Mecicans [sic] and that law was intended only to exclude N.
Americans -- The case was then referred to the President Govt. of Mexico
who havig [sic] no cognesance [sic] of the matter, re-refferred [sic] it
to the State Authority who were [sic] alone had jurisdiction over such
points -- The State Authorities, decided in favor of Power, by
legislative act, rebuked Teran for his military interference with the
civil affairs of the state, and granted Power an extension of time for
the interruptions which he had sustained. This was March
1832. -- was not the entire conclusion of his difficulties.
The Governor, Latone, died very soon after this law had passed, and the
Vice Govr. Beremendi in assumig [sic] the office, declared that the law
extending the time for Power to complete his contract, was in
contravention of the 9th article of the General Colonization law.
He was induced to this, because he had made locations with the grant
himself. He at the same time sanctioned a law granting a similar
extension of time to Mason & others -- So much for...justice and
honesty -- Power had not heard of this act of the Governor until he had
left the country. He went to the US in 1833 an found several of
his emigrants, in Philadelphia -- he started them off immediately for
Texas, whilst he sailed the 14 Octr. 1833 for Ireland; where he
commenced shipping his emigrants. The first party were 108 souls,
embarked in the ship Prudence. All of whom except 8 perished in
one week with Cholerea. He still continued to ship smaller number
by ever every [sic] opportunity; until the 11 March 1834, when he
embraked [sic] himself at Liverpool with upwards of one hundred souls,
in the Harowine. 60 days passage frpm [sic] Liverpool with
to New Orleans. From N. Orleans he sailed with 100 emigrants, in a
chartered Brig -- (N.O. Packet) under the command of Capt. Ramsdale, a
good sailor but an unprincipled man. On the 23rd of May 1834, the
vessel was cast away (under suspicions that the Capt. had done it
intentionally) inside of the Bar in the Bay of Arransass [sic].
Out of the passengers in this vessel 50 or 60 died; among the number
some of Power's nearest friends, and relations. (One sister and
nieces) Power himself was sick; he however made out to get to the Copano
landing where he met Capt. Auld, at anchor with the schooner Sabime
[sic]. Power gave him 400$ to go after his emigrants at the
arransass [sic] & bring them and bring them to Copano landing; which
duty he performed with dispatch, humanity, and fidelity. Capt.
Auld found many of them in great sufferance, but by his kindness,
preserved their lives & brought them safe to Copano. These
emigrants mingled united with those who preceded them & had come to
the Colony during the absence of the Empresario. This was in the
summer of 1834. he had now with him 120 or 40 families European
Emigrants; which with his Mexican citizens made avove [sic] two
(hundred?) families. He now applied for a commissioner to be
appointed to put them in possession of their lands -- Jose Jeus [Jesus]
Vadowrie [Vidaurri] was the Commissioner,
and entered upon the duties of his office, 3rd of August 1834 at
Refugio. He acted until last December; when his father died, which
caused him to return to Coahuila to attend to his fathers business
affairs -- He left with the intention of returng [sic]; but the spirit
of Revolution manifesting itself about this time he embraced in the strifes of the period, and
arrayed himself in opposition to Santana. His business in the
Colony which he left unfinished, remains in that condition up to the
present day -- Refughio [Refugio] was the
principal town of the business of the Colony. The Emigrants became
satisfied, soon had around increasing stock. They settled mostly
about the Mission and up the San Antonio; and was in a flourishing
condition when the country was invaded by Sanana. This invasion
laid the Colony in ruins -- many perished in battle -- some fled, and
all were compelled [compelled] to seek a place of more safety -- so that
in short time the Colony was almost depopulated, in which condition it
remains with a few exception to the present.
*********
Beginning
of March 1833 -- Power was taken by Lieut. Col. Antonio de Lasantos --
at live oak point. 45 troops under Lasantos --
Lasanto
[Lasantos] came there with 45 men; Power
thought they were traders; he knew no better until he was made a
prisoner; he was marched off immediately, but not before he told Walter
Lambert, to close the house to permit no mexican to enter it -- the
young man closed the door; and had done it no soon, [sic] than another
party of robbers came up, and demanded enterance [entrance];
admittance was refused; the young man wanted to fire upon but Mrs.
power, restrained him fearing that if any of the party should be killed
her husband would be murdired [sic].
The party remand [sic] there 3 days; and agreed to go off if the young
man (would give them) 22 bales of Tobacco -- This was agreed to &
executed & the robbers departed, driving off however, many cattle
& several oxen. Lasantos, had previously robbed the store of
Tobacco and domestics -- Power was taken to Matamoras, closely confined
few days -- put on parole of honor -- remained so five months
monts [sic], when Woll came there and gave his permission to return to
his family on condition that he would deliver himself up agian
again if the Genl. Govt. at Mexico should demand it -- Power's release
was chiefly owing to the numerous friends he had in Matamoras among the
old & influential citizens. |
