Adelsverein

"Mainz Adelsverein " was the nickname for the "Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas " (1842-1848), through whose mediation 1844-1847 about 7,380 German emigrated to Texas.

Foundation

The idea of ​​establishing an overseas settlement enterprise was founded on April 20, 1842 at a meeting of the " Council of German princes and noble men " at Schloss Biebrich in Biebrich on the Rhine. The club was on March 25th 1844 then converted into a public limited company with temporary headquarters in Mainz in Mainz. The 21 members of the Association and later shareholders were exclusively members of the nobility, which is why the club was known as the " Mainzer Adelsverein ".

Memberlist

Overall, there were initially 21 in reorganization in 1844, but 25 members; these included:

• Adolph Duke of Nassau (1817-1905), Duke of Nassau, later Grand Duke of Luxembourg and patron of the " Mainzer nobility association"
• Karl Emich Prince of Leiningen (1804-1856), founder and first president of the "Nobility Association"
• Friedrich, Prince of Prussia (1794-1863), nephew of the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm III.
• Prince Hermann of Wied (1814-1864), married since 1842 with Princess Marie of Nassau- Weilburg ( 1825-1902 ), sister of Adolf Duke of Nassau (see above)
• Prince Carl of Solms- Braunfels (1812-1875), kuk Field Marshal Lieutenant and founder of the settlement New Braunfels ( Comal County)
• Viktor Graf zu Leiningen- Westerburg - Altleiningen (1821-1880), Austrian field marshal lieutenant
• Carl Graf zu Castell- Castell (1801-1850), Duke of Nassau Colonel and Vice President and General Manager of the "Nobility Association"
• Joseph von Boos zu Waldeck (1798-1880), Duke of Nassau lieutenant colonel and aide-de-
• Otfried Hans Freiherr von Meusebach (1812-1897), Texas politician and senator; Founder of the city of Fredericksburg ( Gillespie County)
• August Freiherr von Bibra (1808-1894), from 1847 Managing Director of the " aristocratic society"; he led by the liquidation of the association

Purpose of the Association

The aim of the association was " added lead the German emigration as much as possible after a single, convenient points to help the emigrants on the long journey and to pursue its best endeavors to ensure that their new home be made secure beyond the sea. "(Source: Articles of Association ) - They wanted so acute poverty and need meet in Germany and give people new hope. We presented each family wishing to leave around 130 acres of land in view, to the food supply until the first harvest their own as well as churches, schools and medical care. However, these promises proved to be due to an acute shortage of money very quickly as untenable, so the emigrants for transportation and meals but then 300 florins per single person or had to pay 600 per family. On the other hand, the club had of course also very material goals: With a German colony in Texas new markets for the domestic economy should be opened. Shortly after the club was founded, in the summer of 1842, drove Viktor Graf von Leiningen and Joseph von Boos - Waldeck to Texas, to learn on the spot about the possibilities, and arrived there in September. After initial explorations Leiningen traveled in January 1843 to report back to Germany while Boos - Waldeck -actuated first (unsuccessful ) investments.

History

The spirit of adventure and subjective expectation predominated all critical considerations why the " Texas Association" in May 1844 Prince Carl of Solms- Braunfels sent as the first Commissioner General to Texas, who arrived with his entourage there on 1 July in Galveston. Already on September 18, 1844 the first ship sailed with emigrants from Bremen going on, others followed on 29 September and 12 October 1844., But only on 18 March 1845 succeeded in Solms, near the Guadalupe River a piece of land for the first settlers to buy, with great losses there finally arrived after a three-month trek on March 21, 1845 and baptized the new settlement " new Braunfels " (New Braunfels ) to the seat of his family. However, the young prince showed no lucky hand in financial matters: he gave all the money from the association, made additional debt and had to top it all be ransomed after one of the creditors had obtained a debtors' prison for the prince. Solms returned on May 15, 1845 back to Germany after he was ransomed by his successor in office, Otfried Hans Freiherr von Meusebach by payment of U.S. $ 10,000.

Still streaming German -be emigrants in the apparently "promised land ". When was Texas (USA) was added in 1845 in the " North American Union ", the dream of a German colony " New Germany " finally burst. But nearly 7,400 German came through the mediation of the association until 1847 to Texas who had to live for months under miserable conditions. Countless fell victim to epidemics - so, for example, 1846 in New Braunfels, where 300 people died - others simply starved.

Meusebach managed nevertheless, in principle, to stabilize the situation. In 1847 he founded the place " Fredericksburg " ( Fredericksburg ), named after Prince Frederick of Prussia. Meusebachs greatest historical achievement was, however, is to negotiate with the Indian tribe of the Comanche in 1847 a peace treaty: while they were deterred the Germans bought furs and food by the Indians, in return from looting the German settlements. Unique to this contract is the fact that it was never broken by both sides. The memorable peace treaty acts by even to this day: Every year on the second Saturday in May, the stronghold of German emigrants, the " Founder's Day " is in Fredericksburg, celebrated. In this great festival to Meusebachs descendants and those of the Comanche chiefs, who then signed the contract meet. Gifts are exchanged and shared smokes you a peace pipe to reaffirm the historic agreement.

The promised large land grants of 130 acres per family, however, remained out further, as the management of the " Mainzer nobility association" was completely overwhelmed with the organizational implementation and ran out of funds after a few years. When these troubles in Germany were known to the already tarnished reputation of the " Texas Association" was beyond saving.

Meusebach occurred on 20 July 1847 by his office as Commissioner General of the " Mainzer nobility association" back and was replaced by Hermann spit, which nothing remained but to declare the insolvency of the Association, as it was Meusebach not been able to rehabilitate the finances. On February 23, 1848, the "Mainz Adelsverein " formally dissolved, the assets and liabilities management was handed over in Biebrich on May 6, 1848, the " German Colonisationsgesellschaft for Texas ." In Texas, the " German Emigration Company" continued the business.

Although the " Texas adventure " So for the club ended in a fiasco, was built around the foundation of clubs New Braunfels and Fredericksburg over the years a thriving settlement landscape, but was for the emigrated Germans nor to a new home. The Germans in this area contributed much to the development of Texas. Both places were already after a short time thriving cities and centers of Germanism in the USA. As late as the turn of the 20th century were about 100,000 Texans German. Most settled in central Texas between Austin and San Antonio. To date, there is the " German Belt" in Texas, where you " Friedrich German burger " speaks, and to this day the Texas American with German influences is heavily infiltrated.