Erasmo Seguín
Encyclopedia
Juan Jose Maria Erasmo Seguin (May 26, 1782 – October 30, 1857) was a prominent citizen and politician in San Antonio de Bexar (modern-day San Antonio, Texas
) in the 19th century. From 1807 until 1835, Seguin served as postmaster of San Anotnio, TX. After Mexico achieved independence from Spain, Seguin was named the sole representative from Texas to the constitutional convention. He helped to draft the Constitution of 1824 and was a major influence in the addition of a general colonization provision. Seguin assisted Stephen F. Austin
in choosing land for the first colony of American settlers to immigrate to Texas. He later supported the Texas Revolution
, providing supplies, horses and food to the Texian
army.
from the Mexican interior soon after the founding of the town in 1718. Seguin's parents, Santiago Seguín and Maria Guadalupe Fuentes, had seven children; Erasmo was the third.
Seguin married Maria Josefa Becerra, daughter of a noncomissioned officer from La Bahía Presidio (Goliad), stationed at Bexar; unusually for the times, Becerra could read and write. The couple had three children; two, including Juan Seguin
, survived to adulthood. Erasmo Seguin helped to create the first public school in Bexar, which his son attended.
Although the Seguin family lived in Bexar, on the south side of Main Plaza facing Nueva (between current Main and Dwyer), they also owned a 22000 acres (8,903.1 ha) ranch, located 30 miles (48.3 km) from Bexar in present Karnes County. The land had been purchased from the Missión San Antonio de Valero after its securalization. The ranch was named La Mora, and by 1810 Seguin employed five vaqueros to work it. After 1824, he added a 9000 acres (3,642.2 ha) ranch near present-day Floresville. He made the estate a home; it would become known as "Casa Blanca". Here, Seguín raised animals and farmed cotton and corn. It would become an important source of supply for the Texan army. Seguín received additional income from his appointment as postmaster of all of Texas; he served in this capacity from 1807 until 1835, with two brief breaks.
, Seguin likely sympathized with the rebellion. In January 1811, Juan Bautista de las Casas
led a revolt in Bexar, overthrowing governor Manuel María de Salcedo
and appointing himself head of a new Mexican state. His arbitrary rule caused much dissatisfaction within Texas, and Seguin helped to organize the counterrevolt that deposed de las Casas. A governing council was created to help lead the province until Spanish troops could regain control; Seguin held one of the seats.
In 1813, governor Salcedo was again overthrown, this time by the Republican Army of the North. They declared Texas an independent republic headed by José Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara
. During the invasion by the Gutiérrez-Magee Expedition
, Seguin was in the United States on business. He returned carrying a letter from American authorities recommending that Gutierrez be replaced. While he was en route, the Spanish army, under José Joaquín de Arredondo
, had defeated the invaders, killing 1300 Texians at the Battle of Medina
, and resumed control of the province. Seguin's letter was found and confiscated, but he argued that he had been coerced into carrying it against his will. Arredondo did not believe Seguin's protests and labeled him a traitor. Seguin was dismissed from his position as postmaster and his property was confiscated. He was not, however, jailed.
Several years later, Arredondo offered a blanket pardon to most Tejano
s. Seguin refused the pardon and instead took his case to the courts. In 1818, the court cleared Seguin of all charges and he was able to regain his property and his postal position. In the summer of 1820, Seguin was elected alcade, or mayor, of Bexar. It would be just one of many of the municipal offices he would serve over the next two decades. In 1822, he was fully restored as postmaster and in 1825 he was appointed quartermaster
of Presidio San Antonio de Bexar
, a position he held for a decade.
, asked Seguin to inform Moses Austin
that Austin had been awarded the first colonization contract. Several months later, Seguin and Juan Martín de Veramendi
met Austin's son, Stephen
at Natchitoches and escorted him into Texas. The small group explored a large area in eastern Texas. Three weeks into their trip, several of Seguin's employees found them to deliver the news that Mexico had been granted its independence from Spain.
In its initial years of existence, Mexico was in much political turmoil. In late 1823, authorities called for a constitutional convention. Seguin was elected as the only delegate to represent Texas. For the next eight months, he and the other representatives worked to draft a constitution. The Constitution of 1824 was signed in October 1824. The new Mexican constitution was similar to that of the United States
, with the major exception that it established Catholicism
as the national religion. Against Seguin's protests, Texas was combined with Coahuila to form a new state, Coahuila y Tejas
. Seguin did succeed in inserting language that allowed Texas to petition for independent statehood at a later date. He was also influential in gaining a provision for a General Colonization Law
. In an extension of the Spanish policy of 1821, the colonization law would allow state governments to grant land to empresario
s, who could then allot it to individual colonists. The grants would be void after six years, however, if fewer than 100 colonists settled in the land grant. Among other issues he championed was a lessening of the restriction against slavery.
After the convention ended, Seguin returned to Bexar.
erupted in October 1835, and General Martin Perfecto de Cos
arrived in Bexar to take command of all of the Mexican troops in Texas. Unlike most other residents of Bexar, Seguin remained at his home instead of fleeing to the countryside. His loyalty was questioned because his son Juan was a prominent supporter of the rebellion. Before the end of the year, Cos forced him to leave the city. At the same time, Seguin was stripped of his position as postmaster; he would not regain the post.
During the revolution, Seguin supplied the Texian army with beef, cattle, horses, and corn. Seguin would follow eastward with the Texians, during the Runaway Scrape
. Bringing a large herd of sheep with him, he would end up eventually losing them. Seguin's ranch would also end up being raided and depleted by both the Texian and Mexican armies, who were scavenging for food. The Republic of Texas
did later award him $3,000 in compensation for his efforts to assist the army.
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
) in the 19th century. From 1807 until 1835, Seguin served as postmaster of San Anotnio, TX. After Mexico achieved independence from Spain, Seguin was named the sole representative from Texas to the constitutional convention. He helped to draft the Constitution of 1824 and was a major influence in the addition of a general colonization provision. Seguin assisted Stephen F. Austin
Stephen F. Austin
Stephen Fuller Austin was born in Virginia and raised in southeastern Missouri. He was known as the Father of Texas, led the second, but first legal and ultimately successful colonization of the region by bringing 300 families from the United States. The capital of Texas, Austin in Travis County,...
in choosing land for the first colony of American settlers to immigrate to Texas. He later supported the Texas Revolution
Texas Revolution
The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was an armed conflict between Mexico and settlers in the Texas portion of the Mexican state Coahuila y Tejas. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836...
, providing supplies, horses and food to the Texian
Texian
Texian is an archaic, mostly defunct 19th century demonym which defined a settler of current-day Texas, one of the southern states of the United States of America which borders the country of Mexico...
army.
Early life and family
Juan Jose Maria Erasmo Seguín was born on May 26, 1782, to a family of French and Spanish descent in San Antonio de Bexar (now San Antonio, Texas). His paternal grandfather, Bartolomá Seguín, had moved to Spanish TexasSpanish Texas
Spanish Texas was one of the interior provinces of New Spain from 1690 until 1821. Although Spain claimed ownership of the territory, which comprised part of modern-day Texas, including the land north of the Medina and Nueces Rivers, the Spanish did not attempt to colonize the area until after...
from the Mexican interior soon after the founding of the town in 1718. Seguin's parents, Santiago Seguín and Maria Guadalupe Fuentes, had seven children; Erasmo was the third.
Seguin married Maria Josefa Becerra, daughter of a noncomissioned officer from La Bahía Presidio (Goliad), stationed at Bexar; unusually for the times, Becerra could read and write. The couple had three children; two, including Juan Seguin
Juan Seguín
Juan Nepomuceno Seguín was a 19th-century Texas Senator, Mayor, Judge, and Justice of the Peace and a prominent participant in the Texas Revolution.-Early life and family:...
, survived to adulthood. Erasmo Seguin helped to create the first public school in Bexar, which his son attended.
Although the Seguin family lived in Bexar, on the south side of Main Plaza facing Nueva (between current Main and Dwyer), they also owned a 22000 acres (8,903.1 ha) ranch, located 30 miles (48.3 km) from Bexar in present Karnes County. The land had been purchased from the Missión San Antonio de Valero after its securalization. The ranch was named La Mora, and by 1810 Seguin employed five vaqueros to work it. After 1824, he added a 9000 acres (3,642.2 ha) ranch near present-day Floresville. He made the estate a home; it would become known as "Casa Blanca". Here, Seguín raised animals and farmed cotton and corn. It would become an important source of supply for the Texan army. Seguín received additional income from his appointment as postmaster of all of Texas; he served in this capacity from 1807 until 1835, with two brief breaks.
Mexican War of Independence
During the Mexican War of IndependenceMexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...
, Seguin likely sympathized with the rebellion. In January 1811, Juan Bautista de las Casas
Juan Bautista de las Casas
Juan Bautista de las Casas led a revolt against the governor of Spanish Texas in 1811 and served as head of the province for 39 days until he was deposed.-Revolt:...
led a revolt in Bexar, overthrowing governor Manuel María de Salcedo
Manuel María de Salcedo
Manuel María de Salcedo y Quiroga , Manuel María de Salcedo y Quiroga , Manuel María de Salcedo y Quiroga , (Malaga, Spain, (1776 - executed, 3 April 1813), was a governor of Spanish Texas from 1808 until his execution in 1813. Salcedo gained leadership experience helping his father Juan Manuel de...
and appointing himself head of a new Mexican state. His arbitrary rule caused much dissatisfaction within Texas, and Seguin helped to organize the counterrevolt that deposed de las Casas. A governing council was created to help lead the province until Spanish troops could regain control; Seguin held one of the seats.
In 1813, governor Salcedo was again overthrown, this time by the Republican Army of the North. They declared Texas an independent republic headed by José Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara
Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara
Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara was the first constitutional governor of the state of Tamaulipas, and a native of Revilla, today Ciudad Guerrero, Mexico.-Biography:...
. During the invasion by the Gutiérrez-Magee Expedition
Gutiérrez-Magee Expedition
The Gutiérrez-Magee Expedition was an 1812–13 joint Mexican-American filibustering expedition against Spanish Texas during the early years of the Mexican War of Independence.-Background:...
, Seguin was in the United States on business. He returned carrying a letter from American authorities recommending that Gutierrez be replaced. While he was en route, the Spanish army, under José Joaquín de Arredondo
Jose Joaquín de Arredondo
Joaquín de Arredondo y Mioño was a 19th-century Spanish–Mexican soldier who served as Chief Civil and Military Commandant of Texas during the first Texas revolution.-Early life:...
, had defeated the invaders, killing 1300 Texians at the Battle of Medina
Battle of Medina
The Battle of Medina was fought approximately 20 miles south of San Antonio de Bexar on August 18, 1813 as part of the Mexican War of Independence against Spanish authority in Mexico...
, and resumed control of the province. Seguin's letter was found and confiscated, but he argued that he had been coerced into carrying it against his will. Arredondo did not believe Seguin's protests and labeled him a traitor. Seguin was dismissed from his position as postmaster and his property was confiscated. He was not, however, jailed.
Several years later, Arredondo offered a blanket pardon to most Tejano
Tejano
Tejano or Texano is a term used to identify a Texan of Mexican heritage.Historically, the Spanish term Tejano has been used to identify different groups of people...
s. Seguin refused the pardon and instead took his case to the courts. In 1818, the court cleared Seguin of all charges and he was able to regain his property and his postal position. In the summer of 1820, Seguin was elected alcade, or mayor, of Bexar. It would be just one of many of the municipal offices he would serve over the next two decades. In 1822, he was fully restored as postmaster and in 1825 he was appointed quartermaster
Quartermaster
Quartermaster refers to two different military occupations depending on if the assigned unit is land based or naval.In land armies, especially US units, it is a term referring to either an individual soldier or a unit who specializes in distributing supplies and provisions to troops. The senior...
of Presidio San Antonio de Bexar
Presidio San Antonio de Bexar
Presidio San Antonio de Béxar was a Spanish fort built near the San Antonio River, located in what is now San Antonio, Texas. It was designed for protection of the mission system and civil settlement in central Texas...
, a position he held for a decade.
Texas colonization
In the early 1820s, the Spanish government reversed a long-standing policy against immigration. For the first time, people would be allowed to settle in Texas from other countries, including the neighboring United States. In 1821, the governor of Spanish Texas, Antonio María MartínezAntonio María Martínez
Antonio María Martínez was a colonel in the infantry regiment of Zamora and the last governor of Spanish Texas.-History:He was born in Andújar, province of Jaén, Spain. He entered military service on July 7, 1785, and had a distinguished career, winning the Cross of Northern Europe and the Cross...
, asked Seguin to inform Moses Austin
Moses Austin
Moses Austin played a large part in the development of the American lead industry and is the father of Stephen F. Austin, a leading American settler of Texas. He was the first to be allowed to gather Anglo Americans for settlement in Spanish Texas...
that Austin had been awarded the first colonization contract. Several months later, Seguin and Juan Martín de Veramendi
Juan Martín de Veramendi
Juan Martin de Veramendi was the governor of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas from 1832 until 1833.Veramendi was born on December 17, 1778 in San Fernando de Béxar, known as Bexar, to Fernando Veramendi and Maria Josefa Granados...
met Austin's son, Stephen
Stephen F. Austin
Stephen Fuller Austin was born in Virginia and raised in southeastern Missouri. He was known as the Father of Texas, led the second, but first legal and ultimately successful colonization of the region by bringing 300 families from the United States. The capital of Texas, Austin in Travis County,...
at Natchitoches and escorted him into Texas. The small group explored a large area in eastern Texas. Three weeks into their trip, several of Seguin's employees found them to deliver the news that Mexico had been granted its independence from Spain.
In its initial years of existence, Mexico was in much political turmoil. In late 1823, authorities called for a constitutional convention. Seguin was elected as the only delegate to represent Texas. For the next eight months, he and the other representatives worked to draft a constitution. The Constitution of 1824 was signed in October 1824. The new Mexican constitution was similar to that of the United States
United States Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.The first three...
, with the major exception that it established Catholicism
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
as the national religion. Against Seguin's protests, Texas was combined with Coahuila to form a new state, Coahuila y Tejas
Coahuila y Tejas
Coahuila y Tejas was one of the constituent states of the newly established United Mexican States under its 1824 Constitution.It had two capitals: first Saltillo, and then Monclova...
. Seguin did succeed in inserting language that allowed Texas to petition for independent statehood at a later date. He was also influential in gaining a provision for a General Colonization Law
General Colonization Law
The Colonization Law of August 18, 1824 was a Mexican statute allowing foreigners to immigrate to the country.-Background:Under Spanish rule, New Spain was populated almost solely with native peoples or Spanish settlers. Foreign immigration was forbidden for much of the country...
. In an extension of the Spanish policy of 1821, the colonization law would allow state governments to grant land to empresario
Empresario
An empresario was a person who, in the early years of the settlement of Texas, had been granted the right to settle on Mexican land in exchange for recruiting and taking responsibility for new settlers. The word is Spanish for entrepreneur.- Background :...
s, who could then allot it to individual colonists. The grants would be void after six years, however, if fewer than 100 colonists settled in the land grant. Among other issues he championed was a lessening of the restriction against slavery.
After the convention ended, Seguin returned to Bexar.
Texas Revolution
The Texas RevolutionTexas Revolution
The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was an armed conflict between Mexico and settlers in the Texas portion of the Mexican state Coahuila y Tejas. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836...
erupted in October 1835, and General Martin Perfecto de Cos
Martín Perfecto de Cos
Martín Perfecto de Cos was a 19th-century Mexican general. He was married to Lucinda López de Santa Anna, sister of Antonio López de Santa Anna.-Background:Cós was born in Vera Cruz in the year 1800, the son of an attorney...
arrived in Bexar to take command of all of the Mexican troops in Texas. Unlike most other residents of Bexar, Seguin remained at his home instead of fleeing to the countryside. His loyalty was questioned because his son Juan was a prominent supporter of the rebellion. Before the end of the year, Cos forced him to leave the city. At the same time, Seguin was stripped of his position as postmaster; he would not regain the post.
During the revolution, Seguin supplied the Texian army with beef, cattle, horses, and corn. Seguin would follow eastward with the Texians, during the Runaway Scrape
Runaway Scrape
The Runaway Scrape was the name given to the flight and subsequent hostilities that occurred, as Texan, Tejano, and American settlers and militia encountered the pursuing Mexican army in early 1836....
. Bringing a large herd of sheep with him, he would end up eventually losing them. Seguin's ranch would also end up being raided and depleted by both the Texian and Mexican armies, who were scavenging for food. The Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
did later award him $3,000 in compensation for his efforts to assist the army.