Mier y Teran Report Questions KEY
1. Mexico City- November 10, 1827
What was the purpose of the expedition that was created by President Victoria?
To observe the number and attitudes of Americans living there and determine the
U.S.-Mexico boundary b/w the Sabine and Red Rivers
What concerns did the Mexican Government have about some of the empresarios and
colonists in Texas?
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Empresarios – some contracts needed to be canceled due to non-fulfillment or
improper behavior; others wanted to sell their land to people in the U.S.
Colonists – some were possibly agents working secretly to undermine Mexican
control of the department
2. Dinner in San Antonio- March 1, 1828
What is Mier y Teran’s initial impression of San Antonio?
It was small in comparison to the large cities in Mexico, but he welcomed the fact
that many things reminded him of home
How can Mier y Teran tell that Mexico still has strong influence on the city?
The majority of the population is of Mexican heritage and the names of San
Antonio’s town leaders all point to strong influence of Mexican ideas.
What reasons does the alcalde give for this?
The city is closer to Mexico than the U.S. As a result, San Antonio has held on to
its Mexican identity well and many people speak English and Spanish and buy and sell
Mexican and American goods. Majority of people adhered to social and religious
customs of Mexico. And the Mexican soldados are stationed to keep law and order.
3. Tavern in San Felipe de Austin April 27, 1828
How do the people feel about Mier y Teran’ being in their town? Why?
They believed it wasn’t right for the Mexican government to tell them what to do.
They wanted a stronger local government.
How do the people feel about the Mexican centralist government? Why?
They wanted more control and independence than the national (centralist) government
was giving them.
4. Nacogdoches Market June 3, 1828
Where are the people Mier y Teran observes originally from? (which part of the world)
80% or most are from America/U.S.; 20% are from Mexico
What does Mier y Teran observe about the people in the town? (4 Facts)
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Most people don’t speak Spanish
Everyone there speaks English
They didn’t need to learn Spanish
People are selling things
Most are from America
5. Religious Practices in Bastrop December 30, 1828
What does Mier y Teran learn about how people worship from the first person on the
street?
Work was more important than church. People preferred their own church practices
as opposed to the fancy rituals of the Catholic church.
Where type of church does Mier y Teran observe?
A small church that has no Catholic mass conducted in Latin nor the practice of
communion.
How does the Spanish government feel about this type of religious practice? Why?
The Spanish government doesn’t approve of these new religious practices. They
believe the Catholic church is the only true religious practice.
6. The Schoolhouse in Goliad January 16, 1829
What type of history are they teaching?
U.S. History
What assumptions can Mier y Teran make about the people living in Goliad?
Most are American and speak English.
Why does Mier y Teran see this as a problem?
People are raising their kids to learn U.S. History and American ways rather than
Spanish/Mexican ways.
7. Mier y Teran’s Observations in Matamoros March 7, 1829
From the viewpoint of Mier y Teran, what positive things did he see in San Antonio?
Negative?
Positive
 many people were respectful, including SFA and other American colonists
 political power was still in the hands of the Mexicans
Negative
 Texans call Mexicans from interior Mexico “foreigners”
 Americans have taken possession of almost all East Texas
What percentage of the population of San Felipe de Austin are Mexican? What does this
tell Mier y Teran about the city?
5%; Americans and Europeans dominate the city demographically
What is Mier y Teran’s reaction to the Mexicans he sees in Nacogdoches? Provide quotes
to support your answer.
“Very humble people…intentions are good…but they’ve adopted American customs and
habits…not Mexican except by birth…speak Spanish incorrectly”
Answers to Map Questions
2A. about 150 miles
2B. From Gonzales to Goliad
2C. about 200 miles
3. Nacogdoches
4. Matamoras
5. about 50 miles; strong American influence…could possibly travel back and forth
easily