Surveyor Jose M. J. Carbajal Presents His Survey of the Musquiz Grant
Note: The following survey report is part of a longer presentation made by Ramon Musquiz's attorney, his nephew Narcisco Musquiz, to Fernando de Leon, the commissioner of the Martin de Leon colony. Fernando is Martin's oldest son.
Town of Guadalupe Victoria, Dec. 20, 1832.
To Citizen Surveyor J. M. Carbajal in order that, scientifically making the measurements of the lands solicited, he set down immediately hereafter those pertaining to the interested party and returns this petition.
Leon, (rubric) (This is Fernando de Leon, son of Martin de Leon)
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 the 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)
Note: The following survey report is part of a longer presentation made by Ramon Musquiz's attorney, his nephew Narcisco Musquiz, to Fernando de Leon, the commissioner of the Martin de Leon colony. Fernando is Martin's oldest son.
Town of Guadalupe Victoria, Dec. 20, 1832.
To Citizen Surveyor J. M. Carbajal in order that, scientifically making the measurements of the lands solicited, he set down immediately hereafter those pertaining to the interested party and returns this petition.
Leon, (rubric) (This is Fernando de Leon, son of Martin de Leon)
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 the 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)
Carbajal's Original Survey of the Musquiz Grant
For more detailed information about this survey map, follow this link.