Racial Injustice in Refugio, Texas

Becerra Land Grant 

As most of us know now, in 1832, the Mexican government bestowed a first-class land grant of two leagues (8,856 acres) to Manuel Becerra. The land grant was approved by the ayuntamiento (town council) of Goliad and by the then-Tejas-Mexican governor, Francisco Vidaurri. However, when James Power and James Hewetson's Colony was established in 1834, Becerra's land was not surveyed or included in the colony. This suggests that racial injustice occurred between the white colonists and the existing Mexican landowners as evidenced by Abel Rubio’s book, Stolen Heritage. Yet the following facts are the facts and help shed light on their importance in what was to become known as the great theft: 

Irish Colonists, Omission of Becerra 

One, the Power and Hewetson's Colony was a group of white Irish immigrants who came to Texas in 1833. The colony was founded under the provisions of the Colonization Law of 1825, which allowed empresarios to recruit immigrants to Texas and grant them land. Power and Hewetson were granted a large tract of land in Refugio County by Governor Vidaurri in the 1820’s and so they brought over 300 Irish immigrants to settle the colony. Two, by 1828, there was no denying the fact that Power and Hewetson had colonized Refugio and scored their great heist.  When the colony was established, the land was surveyed and divided into lots. The colonists were given free land, and they were also allowed to purchase additional land. However, Becerra's land was not surveyed or included in the colony. This suggests that the white colonists ignored the rights of the existing Mexican landowners. 

There are several possible explanations why Becerra's land was not surveyed or included in the colony. One possibility is that the colonists simply did not know about Becerra's land grant.   Another possibility is that they knew about the land grant, but they ignored it because Becerra was Mexican.  It is also possible that the colonists were able to pressure the Mexican government to revoke Becerra's land grant. I for one don’t think this was the case, as I will insist on a different set of circumstances later this summer.  Whatever the reason, the fact that Becerra's land was not surveyed or included in the colony suggests that racial injustice occurred between the white colonists and the existing Mexican landowners. Third, the colonists were able to take over Becerra's land simply because they were white, and Becerra was Mexican. 

Turning a Blind Eye y La Matanza

Yet, it wasn’t done in an obvious manner, one that was detectable by the Mexican landowners at the time. No, they were much cleverer and instead led many unsuspecting landowners to believe everything was okay until it was time to evict them! This is a clear example of how racial prejudice can lead to injustice, one that bears the evil banality of man, one that would be harbored and promulgated in future generations to come.  Yes, as I alluded to, they were clever as they systematically acknowledged the existence of the Mexican landowner on paper but turned a blind eye to the legalization of their rights within the new and burgeoning American system. Though some of these Tejanos would go on to keep their land, many like Antonio and his relatives would suffer their wrath and endure their capacity for cruelty.  

The racial injustice that occurred in Refugio, Texas, and other parts of Texas during the early 19th century is a reminder of the long history of racial prejudice in the United States. This part of history is important, it helps us understand the challenges we still face today, and yet, most of us know it hasn’t gone away.  That is why we must continue to fight against racial injustice and work to create a more just and equitable society for all. Finally, I'll leave you with a short video on a topic many of us may not be aware of, “La Matanza.”  It was a period during the Mexican Revolution when Tejanos were shot and killed for no valid reason.  This video is not aimed at our personal family history, but it does give a sense of what our ancestors 30 years earlier, may have had to endure.  Please watch it.