The Road to Revolution
CHAPTER 9
Difficulties With Mexico
Change Creates Tension
-Spain and then Mexico opened Texas to settlement in the early 1820s
-Anglo Americans moved to the area to purchase cheap land, and towns arose
and trade grew.
-Federalists held power in Mexico. They left Texas alone. In 1829, Centralists
gained control of the Mexican government. They issued regulations that
brought Texas more under the authority of the government.
-Tensions grew
The Nacogdoches Land Grant
-Haden Edwards- empresario who was awarded land in
east Texas in 1825
-He settled 800 families in the Nacogdoches area.
-Some families were already there, and Edwards was
ordered to recognize their rights. He announced that
settlers would have to show their clear titles to their
land. Many could not do this, so he told them they had
to leave the land or purchase it from him. Many settlers
were angry with this.
The Nacogdoches Land Grant Continued
-Governor election- Samuel Norris vs. Chichester Chaplin
◦ Norris agreed with the old settlers, Chaplin agreed with the new settlers and
was married to Edward’s daughter
◦ Edwards declared Chaplin the winner, but a Mexican official, Jose Antonio
Saucedo, declared Norris the winner after the old settlers took the issue to
him. Edwards refused to accept the decision.
-After much trouble, Edwards eventually lost his land grant when the Mexican
officials cancelled it.
The Fredonian Rebellion and Aftermath
-Supporters of Edwards took bold action against Mexican
authority in 1826. Tensions between Texans and the
Mexican government once again increased.
-Without legal authority, followers of Edwards seized
Edwards himself, Norris, and others, and charged them with
crimes. It is believed that Edwards allowed this to happen
so it would not look like he was involved with the plot. The
rebels placed a new mayor in charge. The Mexican officials
sent troops to Nacogdoches.
The Fredonian Rebellion and Aftermath
Continued
-Benjamin Edwards, Haden’s brother, and his followers,
including Richard Fields, a Cherokee chief, created a new
independent state called the Republic of Fredonia. They
signed a Declaration of Independence in 1826. The United
States and Austin’s colony provided no support to this
rebellion. The rebellion collapsed when Mexican forces put
down the revolt. Some rebels were captured, but most fled
to the United States.
Slavery
-Despite efforts from Texans to keep slavery in the area,
Mexico’s president issued a decree in 1829 abolishing
slavery. The order was never officially enforced in Texas, but
Anglo American slaveholders worried that it was only a
matter of time before slavery became illegal.
The Mier y Teran Report
-Mexican officials worried the revolt was a part of an American
scheme to acquire Texas. The United States offered to
purchase Texas in 1827 and 1829.
-Mexican officials sent General Manuel de Mier y Teran to
inspect Texas. He expressed concern about the growing
American influence in Texas and let the officials know that
prompt action was essential.
Mier y Teran’s Recommendations
-place more troops around the settlements
-work to attract more Mexican and European settlers
-develop more trade between Texas and Mexico
The Law of April 6, 1830
-Mexican officials issued a law based on Mier y Teran’s recommendations. It was
meant to encourage immigration of Mexican and European families to Texas
with generous land grants and financial assistance. It also stopped immigration
from the United States into Texas.
-The law also suspended empresario contracts that had not been fulfilled, and
set up new forts to prevent smuggling, illegal land speculation, and the
introduction of more enslaved people.
-Mexico discouraged trade between foreign nations and Texas by placing taxes
on goods made in foreign nations. This was meant to increase trade between
Texas and Mexico.
Reaction
Anglo settlers in Texas were alarmed. They had friends and family
who wanted to come from the United States. Their success
depended on trade with the U.S., and this law revived fears that
slavery would become illegal.
-Each side began to distrust each other. Stephen F. Austin tried to
negotiate with Mexican leaders, but he soon realized that serious
damage had been done to relations between the two sides.
First Conflicts
Trouble at Anahuac
-A garrison (fort) was run by Colonel John (Juan) Davis Bradburn. He was from
Virginia and fought for Mexican Independence. As a reward, the Mexican
officials made him a colonel in the Mexican army.
-Bradburn quarreled with the colonists at Anahuac. They accused him of
refusing to hand over captured slaves. They also thought his soldiers stole their
supplies. The colonists had the most anger towards Bradburn over taxes. He
tried to enforce the duty on goods imported by ship into Texas. He sent his
collector as far away as the Brazos River, upsetting ship captains. Some of the
captains bypassed the stop at the mouth of the Brazos and did not get clearance
to proceed. This resulted in exchange of gunfire between Texas and Mexican
troops.
Trouble at Anahuac Continued
-May 1832- Bradburn arrested two lawyers, William B. Travis and Patrick C. Jack,
and put them in prison. He accused them of spreading false rumors and
interfering with efforts to enforce laws. 200 angry settlers marched to Anahuac
and a skirmish broke out between the Texans and the Mexican troops. The
Texans captured some of Bradburn’s soldiers, and wanted a trade for Travis and
Jack. Bradburn agreed to exchange on the condition that the Texans retreat.
The Texans released the soldiers, but some refused to withdraw, so Travis and
Jack were not released. The Texans made camp to regroup and get more
firepower.
The Turtle Bayou Resolutions
-While the trouble at Anahuac continued, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
(Federalist) was leading a revolt against president Anastacio Bustamante
(Centralist). Bustamante was unpopular with Texans because they believed his
Centralist rule went against the Mexican Constitution of 1824. Santa Anna
promised to follow the constitution.
-News of a Santa Anna victory heartened the Texans at Turtle Bayou. On June
13, 1832, they met and adopted the Turtle Bayou Resolutions.
◦ Loyalty to Mexico, but not to the government
◦ Support for Federalists and Santa Anna
Bradburn Ousted
-At the same time, Bradburn asked for help from other commanders. Colonel
Jose de las Piedras arrived and believed that the Texans outnumbered his
soldiers, so he gave into their demands. He released Travis and Jack. Bradburn
resigned and fled from Texas. Piedras returned to Nacogdoches. A Federalist
officer took charge at Anahuac and declared support for Santa Anna. He closed
the fort and moved his troops to Mexico to join the fight against the Centralists.
First Skirmishes
Texans Seek Change
-1832- Violence flared at Velasco, near the mouth of the Brazos River. The
Texans wanted to help free Travis and Jack, but the Mexican commander would
not allow them to pass. The Battle of Velasco was brief but bloody. The
Mexican soldiers surrendered when they ran out of ammunition. The Texans
continued on, and discovered Travis and Jack were already free.
-Supporters of Santa Anna were winning battles elsewhere. Bustamante
resigned as president and Santa Anna took power. Most Texans were pleased
with this change.
Convention of 1832
-fall of 1832, San Felipe, 55 delegates from Anglo American settlements
-Stephen F. Austin led the convention. The men called for:
-Resume immigration from the United States to Texas
-Texas exempt from port duties
-Texas separate state of Mexico
-William H. Wharton and Rafael Manchola were chosen to present their
proposals to the Mexican government, but none were ever presented. Some
thought that the fact that most were Anglo American weakened their position.
Convention of 1833
-April 1833, San Felipe, Mostly new delegates, including Sam Houston
-Most resolutions were the same, but they also drew up a constitution for the state of Texas.
Sam Houston was the chairman of the committee that wrote the draft of the constitution.
-Stephen F. Austin, Dr. James B. Miller, and Erasmo Seguin were chosen to present the
resolutions in Mexico City, but Austin had to make the trip alone after Dr. Miller was needed to
treat sick patients and Seguin declined the assignment.
Tensions Grow
1833-1835
Austin’s Mission to Mexico
-Austin had great influence with state and federal officials
in Mexico. After his 3 month journey to the Mexican
capital, Santa Anna was away from the city. The new
government was not very well organized, and a cholera
epidemic raged in the city. Austin waited impatiently for
several months. After being discouraged with the lack of
progress, he wrote to officials in San Antonio and
suggested they join with other officials across Texas to
form a temporary state of government.
Austin’s Mission to Mexico
-Santa Anna returned a month later. He agreed to some
of the resolutions, but would not accept separate
statehood for Texas. On his trip back home, Austin was
arrested. The Mexican government received a copy of his
letter and considered it treason. He remained in prison
for a year.
-Austin was away from Texas for 2 ½ years. His approach
of calmness and peace towards Mexico changed during
this time.
Texas During Austin’s Absence
-Malaria and Cholera Outbreaks
◦ -Eight members of Austin’s family died
-More positive outlook in 1834- weather improved and epidemic ended
-The reforms Santa Anna promised for Texas also began.
-English was the official language.
-Immigration from the United States was allowed.
-Court and Postal Systems improved
-Religious tolerance- settlers were no longer required to become Catholic
Texas During Austin’s Absence
-Texas was divided into three departments, which meant it went
from 1 representative to 3 in the state legislature of Coahuila y
Tejas.
-Colonel Juan Almonte was sent to inspect Texas in 1834. He
reported that all was well and urged that the reforms continue.
He also recommended Austin’s release, but that was ignored.
Trouble Erupts Again
-1835- Anahuac- Mexican officials had begun forcing
settlers to pay duties on imports, which angered the
settlers.
◦Local merchants, led by Andrew Briscoe, claimed that the
taxes were not being collected in other ports. He said the
law was unfair if it was not uniform. He was arrested after
he tricked the garrison by loading a ship as though he
were trying to move goods without paying the duties. The
cargo was nothing but bricks.
Trouble Erupts Again
◦The arrest angered many Texans. William B. Travis led a
group to Anahuac to pressure the garrison into
surrendering. Briscoe was freed, and he and his soldiers
left Texas.
◦Some Texans were upset at Travis, worried that it would
cause trouble for Austin in Mexico.
General Cos Responds
-General Cos was upset about the aggressive acts of the
Texans. He demanded that Texas officials arrest the men
involved in the disturbances. The order came from Santa
Anna, and it seemed he was no longer a Federalist. He
wanted power in his hands.
-Cos announced that he would be taking a large force to
Texas to arrest those who were disloyal. This included
Lorenzo de Zavala, a respected Federalist political leader
who helped write the Mexican Constitution of 1824.
-Texans were concerned about Cos’s actions. Texans
believed that crimes should be tried in a civilian court,
not a military court.
The Consultation
◦ Meeting in October on Washington-on-theBrazos
◦ The meeting was set up so men could
consult one other on the issues they faced.
◦ Some Texans were worried the meeting
would lead to trouble, while others favored
holding the meeting. Some wanted more
dramatic action. Wharton and Travis
favored immediate declaration of
independence from Mexico, even if it
meant war.
The Consultation
◦The invitation to the meeting stated
that delegates were to work towards
a peaceful solution if it could be
secured on agreeable terms. The
men were also to prepare for war if
things did not work out.
Austin Returns
-Austin returned from his 2 years in Mexico. Leaders of the Peace Party
hoped he would oppose the Consultation and others would abandon the
meeting, but he was in favor of it. Austin stated that Santa Anna was
becoming a dictator, and he worried about the amount of Mexican troops
sent to Texas. He believed it was time to act, and urged Texans to unite
against Mexico.
-Delegates were elected, and preparations for the Consultation began.
“War is our only recourse. There is no other remedy. We must defend
our rights, ourselves, and our country by force of arms.” –Stephen F.
Austin