Documents Presented to the Mexican Government to Secure the Final Approval of the Musquiz Grant
For the Biennial Term of 1832 and 1833.
(MEXICAN) STATE OF TEXAS TO RAMON MUSQUIZ
In the City of San Fernando de Bexar (San Antonio) on the twenty second day of the month of November, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-two; before me, Citizen Jose Antonio de la Garza, sole Constitutional Alcalde of same, and witnesses of assistance who shall be named at the close hereof, personally appeared Citizen Ramon Musquiz, Chief of Police of this Department, whom I swear that I know and said: that, by these presents, he grants, gives and confers his power, special, ample and complete with authority for substitution, to Citizen Narcisco Musquiz, a resident and native of the Town of Guadalupe Victoria, in order that, representing his own person, rights and privileges in eleven leagues of land which he obtained, as a settler, by concession made to him by the Supreme Government of this State in a decree of August 28, 1829, he appear before the commissioner of Citizen Empresario Martin de Leon’s colony and solicit, in accordance with that ordained by the Supreme General Government and the Special State Government in resolution of March 10th of this year, the survey and possession in due form of the land on which he has established a ranch for large stock on the right side of Lavaca Creek and which was reserved to by the Alcalde of the Town of Goliad on the 19th of October of said year 1829 and containing from six to seven leagues; procuring that there be issued to him, after the respective document be formulated, this corresponding title of possession of said land, as well as of the remainder to the completion of the eleven leagues of land, at the places whereat he has obtained the consent required from said Empresario. In virtue whereof, he thus granted, renouncing the laws which might favor him; and to its validity and security he binds his person and property, had and to have; he renounced his own right, domicile and residence and signed with me, the present Judge, the instrumental witnesses being Citizens Domingo Bustillos, Nicolas Flores and Francisco Bustillos besides those of my assistance with whom I act for want of a notary public, there being none in the terms of the law. To all of which I certify. Interlined- “twenty”- correct.
Jose Anto. de la Garza, (rubric) Ramon Musquiz, (rubric)
Of Assistance, Of Assistance,
J. Maria Balmacedo, (rubric) Victoriano Tepeda, (rubric)
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To the Hon. Commissioner of this Colony:-
Citizen Narciszo Musquiq of this vicinity presents himself to you and says: That being agent for his uncle, Citizen Ramon Musquiz, as seen in the public instrument which he encloses under No. 1 authorizing me to solicit the possession of eleven leagues of land which were conceded to him as a settler by the Supreme Government of the State through decree of Aug. 20, 1829, as shown by the legalized copy designated No. 2, and considering the fact that, with the previous consent of the Empresario of this colony, Citizen Martin de Leon, there was reserved to him a tract of land contiguous with the coast between Lavaca and Garcitas Creeks by the Alcalde of the Town of Goliad since the 19th day of October of said year 1829, as shown by document No. 3 and in conformity with that ordained by superior authority of Most Excellent Governor of the State in an order of the 10th of March of this year, a legalized copy of which I enclose as No. 4, and with that marked No. 5 the consent officially addressed to him by Citizen Empresario Santiago Power and Santiago Huetson who have claimed to have rights to said land; by virtue of the power vested in me, I beg and supplicate you, Hon. Commissioner, to be pleased to order the reserved land surveyed and to grant the corresponding title of possession in favor of my principal, the testimonio of which, completely legalized, I trust you will deliver to me as, also, that you will be pleased likewise to give me a copy, certified to by you, of the decree whereby my principal was conceded the said eleven leagues of land, stating the number which remain for him to receive after deducting those contained in the Lavaca tract.
Guadalupe Victoria, December 19, 1832
Narciso Musquiz, (rubric)
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Mr. Commissioner:-
In compliance with your foregoing decree I must say that the reservation extended by the Alcalde of Goliad for the land mentioned in the present petition was done with my consent; by virtue of which the interested party proceeded to settle it in the year 1831; and that, its having been vacant, there is no objection to its being granted him in possession as he requests.
Guadalupe Victoria, Dec. 20, 1832
Martin De Leon (rubric)
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Town of Guadalupe Victoria, Dec. 20, 1832.
To Citizen Surveyor J. M. Carbajal in order that, scientifically making the measurements of the sands solicited, he set down immediately hereafter those pertaining to the interested party and return this petition.
Leon, (rubric)
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Mr. Commissioner,-
The land surveyed for Don Ramon Musquiz in compliance with the foregoing decree is situated between the Lavaca River and Garcitas Creek. Beginning at a stake which is set on the west bank of Lavaca River and bears North 24° East 4-4/5 varas distant from a white oak 12 inches in diameter and North 59° 45’ West 11-1/5 varas distant from another white oak 15 inches in diameter,- this being the 1st landmark of this survey and te last one of the land surveyed to Don Silbestre de Leon. This landmark being established, a straight line was run, being also said Don Silbestre de Leon’s South 45°West 4702 varas to a stake set in the prairie on Don Valentin Garcia’s northeast line,- this being the 2nd landmark of this survey and the 5th of said Leon’s;
Thence said Garcia’s line was followed South 30° East 8946 varas to said Don Valentin Garcia’s third landmark, which is an oak 20 inches in diameter and bears South 87° 40’ East 18-1/5 varas from an oak 12 inches in diameter and South 58° 25’ West 2-3/5 varas from another oak 8 inches in diameter,- this being the 3rd landmark, also, of this survey.
Thence with Venadito Creek as a boundary line down along all its meanders to a stake which is on the west side of this creek and bears North 68° 50’ East 80-1/5 varas from an oak 8 inches in diameter,- this being the 4th landmark of this survey and of the aforesaid Garcia’s.
Thence leaving the Venadito and following the above said Garcia’s lower line South 28° 10’ West 7450 varas to his fifth landmark which is an oak or, as commonly called, a black oak which is 14 inches in diameter and bears South 68° West 1 vara from another black oak of the same size, both situated on the northeast margin of Garcitas Creek and making the 5th and last landmark of this survey.
Thence following said Garcitas Creek downward to its mouth in Matagorda Bay and thence continuing all along the edge of said Bay to the Mouth of Lavaca River and following the latter all along its meanders up to the 1st landmark, comprising in the whole survey 137,500,000 square varas or five and one-half leagues of land, excluding the permanent lakes and marshes enclosed therein, 9,000,000 square varas or, what is the same, nine labors of which belong to the class of arable land and the remainder to that of pasture land and its configuration being represented on the map which, in duplicate, I respectfully enclose to you.
Town of Guadalupe Victoria, Dec. 31, 1832
Jose M. J. Carvajal, Surveyor (rubric)
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The land applied for on the part of Citizen Ramon Musquiz by virtue of the concession of eleven leagues which he obtained as a settler from the Supreme Government of the State, of the reservation with the consent of the Empresario of this colony and of that ordained by the Supreme General Government and the Special one of this State, as shown by the documents which he encloses and which are attached to this document, being surveyed; let the title of ownership be issued in order that, by means thereof, he may possess it in accordance with the laws and let a certified copy be given him of the decree which he solicits with a statement of the land which remains for him to receive in order to complete the said eleven leagues. By this act I thus decree, order and sign with two witnesses of my assistance in this town of Guadalupe Victoria on the Second day of the month of January, One thousand eight hundred and thirty three- to which I certify.
Fernando de Leon, (rubric)
Of Assistance, Of Assistance,
Palcido Venabides, (rubric) Jose Franco. Flores, (rubric)
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I, Fernando de Leon, Commissioner for the Supreme Government of the State of Coahuila and Texas by Superior decree of April 20, 1831, for the distribution and giving possession of vacant lands to the colonists introduced by Citizen Empresario Martin de Leon in fulfillment of the first and second colonization contracts which he has concluded to that effect with same Supreme Government, the first one having received the consent and approval of the Most Excellent Vice-President of the Republic: Whereas Citizen Ramon Musquiz, in conformity with the authority which he obtained to point out in the vacant tracts of the department, together or separate, the eleven leagues which were conceded to him as a settler by superior decree of August 20, 1829, has designated those contained in the Surveyor’s preceding notes, in lands within the limits of the colony of which I am commissioner: In the name of the State, I confer upon, grant and put him in real and personal possession of 137,500,000 square varas or, its equivalent, five and one-half leagues of land, being the same which he possesses and whose boundary lines are defined on the map and in the field notes made by Citizen Surveyor Jose M. J. Carbajal as seen in this document, and having an area of 9,000,000 square varas or what is the same, nine labors which belong to the class of arable land and 128,500,000 square varas to that of pasture land. Wherefore he must pay to the State the sum of one hundred and seventy-six dollars, five reals and seven and twenty hundredths grains by way of acknowledgment, in conformity with that ordained in Article 22 of the Colonization Law of March 24, 1825, under the penalties therein established; it being understood that, within one year he must erect landmarks of lime and stone at every angle of the land, that he must settle and cultivate it in accordance with that commanded in said law and that he must comply scrupulously with all else therein ordained, not being permitted ever to convey it in mortmain.
Therefore, exercising the power conceded to me by the law and consequent instructions of Sep. 4, 1827, I issue the present title and order that testimonio be taken of I and be delivered to the interested party so that he may possess and enjoy the benefit of the land which has been granted him in possession,- he, his children, heirs and successors or whoever, from him or from them, may have cause or right my represent, this being the will of the State. Given in the Town of Guadalupe Victoria on the Second day of the month of January, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-three. – Interlined- “on the”- “day”- “month of”- correct.
Fernando de Leon (rubric)
Of Assistance, Of Assistance,
Placido Venabides, (rubric) Jose Franco. Flores, (rubric)
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On same day, month, and year, testimonio was delivered to the interested party.
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Note:- For map attached to this instrument, see next page.
County Clerk
For the Biennial Term of 1832 and 1833.
(MEXICAN) STATE OF TEXAS TO RAMON MUSQUIZ
In the City of San Fernando de Bexar (San Antonio) on the twenty second day of the month of November, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-two; before me, Citizen Jose Antonio de la Garza, sole Constitutional Alcalde of same, and witnesses of assistance who shall be named at the close hereof, personally appeared Citizen Ramon Musquiz, Chief of Police of this Department, whom I swear that I know and said: that, by these presents, he grants, gives and confers his power, special, ample and complete with authority for substitution, to Citizen Narcisco Musquiz, a resident and native of the Town of Guadalupe Victoria, in order that, representing his own person, rights and privileges in eleven leagues of land which he obtained, as a settler, by concession made to him by the Supreme Government of this State in a decree of August 28, 1829, he appear before the commissioner of Citizen Empresario Martin de Leon’s colony and solicit, in accordance with that ordained by the Supreme General Government and the Special State Government in resolution of March 10th of this year, the survey and possession in due form of the land on which he has established a ranch for large stock on the right side of Lavaca Creek and which was reserved to by the Alcalde of the Town of Goliad on the 19th of October of said year 1829 and containing from six to seven leagues; procuring that there be issued to him, after the respective document be formulated, this corresponding title of possession of said land, as well as of the remainder to the completion of the eleven leagues of land, at the places whereat he has obtained the consent required from said Empresario. In virtue whereof, he thus granted, renouncing the laws which might favor him; and to its validity and security he binds his person and property, had and to have; he renounced his own right, domicile and residence and signed with me, the present Judge, the instrumental witnesses being Citizens Domingo Bustillos, Nicolas Flores and Francisco Bustillos besides those of my assistance with whom I act for want of a notary public, there being none in the terms of the law. To all of which I certify. Interlined- “twenty”- correct.
Jose Anto. de la Garza, (rubric) Ramon Musquiz, (rubric)
Of Assistance, Of Assistance,
J. Maria Balmacedo, (rubric) Victoriano Tepeda, (rubric)
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To the Hon. Commissioner of this Colony:-
Citizen Narciszo Musquiq of this vicinity presents himself to you and says: That being agent for his uncle, Citizen Ramon Musquiz, as seen in the public instrument which he encloses under No. 1 authorizing me to solicit the possession of eleven leagues of land which were conceded to him as a settler by the Supreme Government of the State through decree of Aug. 20, 1829, as shown by the legalized copy designated No. 2, and considering the fact that, with the previous consent of the Empresario of this colony, Citizen Martin de Leon, there was reserved to him a tract of land contiguous with the coast between Lavaca and Garcitas Creeks by the Alcalde of the Town of Goliad since the 19th day of October of said year 1829, as shown by document No. 3 and in conformity with that ordained by superior authority of Most Excellent Governor of the State in an order of the 10th of March of this year, a legalized copy of which I enclose as No. 4, and with that marked No. 5 the consent officially addressed to him by Citizen Empresario Santiago Power and Santiago Huetson who have claimed to have rights to said land; by virtue of the power vested in me, I beg and supplicate you, Hon. Commissioner, to be pleased to order the reserved land surveyed and to grant the corresponding title of possession in favor of my principal, the testimonio of which, completely legalized, I trust you will deliver to me as, also, that you will be pleased likewise to give me a copy, certified to by you, of the decree whereby my principal was conceded the said eleven leagues of land, stating the number which remain for him to receive after deducting those contained in the Lavaca tract.
Guadalupe Victoria, December 19, 1832
Narciso Musquiz, (rubric)
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Mr. Commissioner:-
In compliance with your foregoing decree I must say that the reservation extended by the Alcalde of Goliad for the land mentioned in the present petition was done with my consent; by virtue of which the interested party proceeded to settle it in the year 1831; and that, its having been vacant, there is no objection to its being granted him in possession as he requests.
Guadalupe Victoria, Dec. 20, 1832
Martin De Leon (rubric)
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Town of Guadalupe Victoria, Dec. 20, 1832.
To Citizen Surveyor J. M. Carbajal in order that, scientifically making the measurements of the sands solicited, he set down immediately hereafter those pertaining to the interested party and return this petition.
Leon, (rubric)
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Mr. Commissioner,-
The land surveyed for Don Ramon Musquiz in compliance with the foregoing decree is situated between the Lavaca River and Garcitas Creek. Beginning at a stake which is set on the west bank of Lavaca River and bears North 24° East 4-4/5 varas distant from a white oak 12 inches in diameter and North 59° 45’ West 11-1/5 varas distant from another white oak 15 inches in diameter,- this being the 1st landmark of this survey and te last one of the land surveyed to Don Silbestre de Leon. This landmark being established, a straight line was run, being also said Don Silbestre de Leon’s South 45°West 4702 varas to a stake set in the prairie on Don Valentin Garcia’s northeast line,- this being the 2nd landmark of this survey and the 5th of said Leon’s;
Thence said Garcia’s line was followed South 30° East 8946 varas to said Don Valentin Garcia’s third landmark, which is an oak 20 inches in diameter and bears South 87° 40’ East 18-1/5 varas from an oak 12 inches in diameter and South 58° 25’ West 2-3/5 varas from another oak 8 inches in diameter,- this being the 3rd landmark, also, of this survey.
Thence with Venadito Creek as a boundary line down along all its meanders to a stake which is on the west side of this creek and bears North 68° 50’ East 80-1/5 varas from an oak 8 inches in diameter,- this being the 4th landmark of this survey and of the aforesaid Garcia’s.
Thence leaving the Venadito and following the above said Garcia’s lower line South 28° 10’ West 7450 varas to his fifth landmark which is an oak or, as commonly called, a black oak which is 14 inches in diameter and bears South 68° West 1 vara from another black oak of the same size, both situated on the northeast margin of Garcitas Creek and making the 5th and last landmark of this survey.
Thence following said Garcitas Creek downward to its mouth in Matagorda Bay and thence continuing all along the edge of said Bay to the Mouth of Lavaca River and following the latter all along its meanders up to the 1st landmark, comprising in the whole survey 137,500,000 square varas or five and one-half leagues of land, excluding the permanent lakes and marshes enclosed therein, 9,000,000 square varas or, what is the same, nine labors of which belong to the class of arable land and the remainder to that of pasture land and its configuration being represented on the map which, in duplicate, I respectfully enclose to you.
Town of Guadalupe Victoria, Dec. 31, 1832
Jose M. J. Carvajal, Surveyor (rubric)
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The land applied for on the part of Citizen Ramon Musquiz by virtue of the concession of eleven leagues which he obtained as a settler from the Supreme Government of the State, of the reservation with the consent of the Empresario of this colony and of that ordained by the Supreme General Government and the Special one of this State, as shown by the documents which he encloses and which are attached to this document, being surveyed; let the title of ownership be issued in order that, by means thereof, he may possess it in accordance with the laws and let a certified copy be given him of the decree which he solicits with a statement of the land which remains for him to receive in order to complete the said eleven leagues. By this act I thus decree, order and sign with two witnesses of my assistance in this town of Guadalupe Victoria on the Second day of the month of January, One thousand eight hundred and thirty three- to which I certify.
Fernando de Leon, (rubric)
Of Assistance, Of Assistance,
Palcido Venabides, (rubric) Jose Franco. Flores, (rubric)
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I, Fernando de Leon, Commissioner for the Supreme Government of the State of Coahuila and Texas by Superior decree of April 20, 1831, for the distribution and giving possession of vacant lands to the colonists introduced by Citizen Empresario Martin de Leon in fulfillment of the first and second colonization contracts which he has concluded to that effect with same Supreme Government, the first one having received the consent and approval of the Most Excellent Vice-President of the Republic: Whereas Citizen Ramon Musquiz, in conformity with the authority which he obtained to point out in the vacant tracts of the department, together or separate, the eleven leagues which were conceded to him as a settler by superior decree of August 20, 1829, has designated those contained in the Surveyor’s preceding notes, in lands within the limits of the colony of which I am commissioner: In the name of the State, I confer upon, grant and put him in real and personal possession of 137,500,000 square varas or, its equivalent, five and one-half leagues of land, being the same which he possesses and whose boundary lines are defined on the map and in the field notes made by Citizen Surveyor Jose M. J. Carbajal as seen in this document, and having an area of 9,000,000 square varas or what is the same, nine labors which belong to the class of arable land and 128,500,000 square varas to that of pasture land. Wherefore he must pay to the State the sum of one hundred and seventy-six dollars, five reals and seven and twenty hundredths grains by way of acknowledgment, in conformity with that ordained in Article 22 of the Colonization Law of March 24, 1825, under the penalties therein established; it being understood that, within one year he must erect landmarks of lime and stone at every angle of the land, that he must settle and cultivate it in accordance with that commanded in said law and that he must comply scrupulously with all else therein ordained, not being permitted ever to convey it in mortmain.
Therefore, exercising the power conceded to me by the law and consequent instructions of Sep. 4, 1827, I issue the present title and order that testimonio be taken of I and be delivered to the interested party so that he may possess and enjoy the benefit of the land which has been granted him in possession,- he, his children, heirs and successors or whoever, from him or from them, may have cause or right my represent, this being the will of the State. Given in the Town of Guadalupe Victoria on the Second day of the month of January, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-three. – Interlined- “on the”- “day”- “month of”- correct.
Fernando de Leon (rubric)
Of Assistance, Of Assistance,
Placido Venabides, (rubric) Jose Franco. Flores, (rubric)
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On same day, month, and year, testimonio was delivered to the interested party.
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Note:- For map attached to this instrument, see next page.
County Clerk