Sam Houston Authorized "Texas Association" Stock Certificate Dating 2 Years Before U.S. Annexation

A 1p partially completed stock certificate, no. 959, printed by Louisville, Kentucky lithographer Hart, Mapother & Company. Handsomely decorated with a Texas lone star at top, two scrolled vertical panels, the one at left reading "Grant 1844" and the one at right reading "By the Republic of Texas," and a vignette of a Plains Indian on horseback spearing a buffalo at bottom. Texas Association secretary C. Duvall's signature has been cancelled at lower left. The stockholder's name has been omitted, and the company president has not signed the document. Isolated edge darkening and slightly unevenly trimmed along the left edge, else near fine. 11" x 6.75."

"Texas Association

8,000 Square miles on the Trinity River.

This Certifies that ________________ is entitled to One Share of Stock in 'The Texas Association' established for colonizing certain land in Texas under the Authority of the Republic.

Said Share of Stock, is transferable in person or by Attorney on the Books of the Association upon the surrender of this Certificate.

This Certificate of Stock, is not liable for any call, except it become necessary for charges of survey of lands, acquired by the Association.

In Witness whereof is affixed the Signature of the President & Secretary this ________________ 18_____ at Louisville, Ky.

[signed] C. Duvall Secretary

________________President."

This certificate would have granted one $500 share of Texas Association stock to the designated stockholder. The Texas Association was a joint stock company formed in February 1844 by retired Virginia politician Charles Fenton Mercer (1778-1858). On January 29, 1844, Mercer had sought and obtained permission from Sam Houston (1793-1863), President of the Republic of Texas, to form a colony of Anglo-American settlers in Texas. Under empresario contract terms, Mercer was responsible for resettling a minimum of 100 families per year for 5 years on 640- or 320-acre plats within 8,000 square miles of northeastern Texas. The land extended along the 710-mile-long Trinity River, whose four branches flowed south from Gainesville to Liberty, Texas.

There was significant initial interest in the colony, but the Texas Association was beset by many problems. Texas Congress repealed the empresario system and overrode President Houston's veto on January 30, 1844, just one day after Mercer's permission had been granted. Legal battles followed, and Mercer liquidated his holdings in 1852. Mercer's settlement campaign provoked discussion not only about Texas law and presidential prerogative, but also about Indian relations and the slavery question in Texas territory. This ceased being a local issue, however, when the United States formally annexed Texas in February 1846.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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