Page:John O. Meusebach - Answer to Interragatories.djvu/8

4 Give history of it, with dates, as near as you can, and give the different names by which said company was known.

2:—I know something about the German Emigration Company.

ITS ORIGIN

In 1842, a company, at first small in members and means, excited by the glorious achievements of the young Republic of Texas, and the glowing descriptions of its beautiful climate, fertile lands, and other resources, had been organized in Germany and had sent two of its members to Texas, in order to ascertain the truth and to report whether the country was a favorable field of operation for emigration on a large scale, or for financial speculation in lands on a small scale only.

The reports from Texas being favorable, and an additional number of shareholders with ample means having been secured, it was concluded at a general meeting to drop the idea of financial speculation and to organize as an association with the avowed purpose of aiding and leading the emigration to Texas on a large scale, and to carry the operations on a basis of philanthropical principles, excluding all political or money-making financial projects.

(See notice signed officially by Count Castell, leading director of the company, dated May 11, 1845, and printed in "the German settlements of Texas."—Bonn, 1845, page 4.)

Under the name of "The Association for the Protection of German Emigrants to Texas;"

Subsequentlv known as "The German Emigration Company;"

This company being mostly composed of princes and noblemen, was definitely organized and chartered