Texas Association Stock Certificate

Lithographed stock certificate commencing: "Texas Association 8,000 Square Miles on the Trinity River..." At top is a Texas star, at the bottom a Native American and a buffalo, ornate scrollwork on either side, the whole surrounded by decorative border. Lithographed by Hart, Mapother & Co. of Louisville, Kentucky.

Attractive stock certificate issued by Charles Fenton Mercer to shareholders in his empresario grant of 8,000 square miles in northeast Texas, roughly between the Brazos and Sabine Rivers. From the outset, the grant and colony were beset with legal and logistical problems. Although Mercer was able to successfully settle the required number of immigrants, his colonization was hindered by the fact that political and speculator interests wanted to supplant the Republic's empresario system with the American land system. Moreover, the press of other settlers moving into the grant lands, with or without permission, was a continuing source of friction. Mercer's empresario grant contract was executed by Sam Houston on January 29, 1844, only one day before the final repeal of the Republic's empresario system by the Texas Congress, overriding Houston's veto of the bill. There were many troubles afflicting the planned colony, including Congressional investigation into Mercer's contract, legal proceedings, court battles, squatters denying the claims of colony certificate holders, and the incursions of speculators and other certificate holders. Finally, in 1852 Mercer assigned all his interest in the Texas Association to another stockholder. The present certificate is not filled out or signed.