Chapter 8 Highlights Growing Tensions

Section 8-1

Five things Texans were able to do while the Federalists were in power: Receive land titles Establish newspapers Bring in slaves Clear their fields Build homes

The Centralists came to power in Mexico in Issued regulations to bring states and provinces more under the authority of the Mexican government Anglo American colonists in Texas considered these regulations to be unnecessary and unfair.

Slavery In 1829 the Mexican President issued a decree abolishing slavery. Texas tried to get Mexican officials to exempt (excuse) Texas from the decree. Texans felt they needed slaves to make a profit. The decree was never enforced in Texas, but many Texans feared that it was just a matter of time.

Haden Edwards Was permitted to settle 800 families in the Nacogdoches area. Demanded that all previous settlers show him their land title, buy a land title from him, or MOVE! Haden Edwards

Fredonian Revolt - Causes The Mexican Political Chief told Edwards he could not charge the original settlers for land title.

Fredonian Rebellion Benjamin Edwards believed the only way to solve the problem was to declare the colony independent from Mexico.

Dec. 16, 1826 Edwards led a group of armed settlers to capture the Old Stone Fort in Nacogdoches. The Old Stone Fort Nacogdoches, Texas

Raised a red and white flag bearing the words “Independence, Liberty, and Justice.” Flag of the Fredonian Rebellion

Republic of Fredonia – “Country” established in the Fredonian Rebellion

Help! Haden and Benjamin Edwards asked for help from the U.S. and Austin’s colony, but they were ignored.

No Help! The U.S. and Austin refused to help. Austin offered to help the Mexican government put down the rebellion. When Mexican troops from San Antonio arrived in January of 1827 the revolt collapsed.

Mexican Reaction Thought the Fredonian Rebellion was a plot by the U.S. to take Texas.

U.S. Proposed that Mexico Sell Texas to the U.S. Bad timing right after Fredonian Rebellion Reinforced Mexican suspicions that the U.S. wanted Texas.

Mier y Terán Investigation Observed strong Anglo American influence in Texas. Americans outnumbered Mexicans in Texas 5 to 1. Settlers were speaking English and following American customs. Texas looked more like the U.S. than it did Mexico. Gen. Mier y Terán

Prediction If the Mexican government did not take action, Texas would be lost forever.

Law of April 6, 1830 Stopped all immigration from the U.S. Suspended empresario contracts that were unfinished. Encouraged immigration from Mexico and Europe Set up forts to prevent smuggling. Placed customs duties (taxes) on products made in foreign countries.

Reaction in Texas Thought the law was unfair Felt it limited their right to make money Texans had friends & relatives in the U.S. waiting to come to Texas

Turning point in relations between Texas and Mexico. Each side began to distrust the other even more.

Section 8-2

Protest at Anahuac Site of a Mexican garrison to control commerce into Mexico. The commander, John Bradburn, tried to collect customs duties on goods imported into Mexico from the U.S. This made merchants in Texas travel long distances to process the paperwork.

Bradburn arrested 2 lawyers, William B. Travis and Patrick C. Jack, for interfering in his efforts to enforce the law. 160 settlers marched to Anahuac demanding their release. 2 skirmishes broke out. Colonists sent John Austin to bring back a cannon from Brazoria. Trouble at Anahuac William B. Travis

Turtle Bayou Resolutions: June 13, 1832 Colonists declared loyalty to Mexico Denied rebelling against Mexico Declared support for Antonio López de Santa Anna who had promised to defend the Constitution of 1824.

Battle of Velasco John Austin’s group had picked up a cannon at Velasco and was returning by ship to Anahuac. They were stopped at Velasco by Colonel Ugartechea. Fighting broke out, and Ugartechea surrendered. Austin’s group continued to Anahuac only to discover that Travis and Jack had been freed.

Power Changes Hands in Mexico The Centralist President (Bustamente) of Mexico resigned and Santa Anna became President of Mexico. Texans were pleased with this because Santa Anna claimed to be a Federalist. They thought he would support Texas.

Convention of delegates met at San Felipe on Oct. 1, 1832 to discuss changes needed in Texas. Stephen F. Austin was president of the convention. Resolved that Texas be made a separate Mexican state. Wanted to allow immigration from the U.S. Asked for an exemption from certain import taxes, improved schools, better protection from Native Americans, and land titles for settlers in East Texas.

Convention of 1833 April 1, 1833 Sam Houston attended representing Nacogdoches Prepared a constitution for the proposed Mexican state of Texas Sent Stephen F. Austin to Mexico City to present the resolutions to the Mexican government. Sam Houston

Section 8-3

Austin Goes to Mexico When he arrived, Santa Anna was out of town because of a cholera epidemic. Santa Anna’s government was not yet well organized and had not made plans for dealing with Texas. After waiting 4 months, Austin became impatient. He wrote a letter to authorities in San Antonio describing the difficulties he faced and urging Texans to form their own [state] government.

Austin Meets With Santa Anna * Santa Anna did not grant separate statehood for Texas. * He did agree to: –Repeal the law restricting immigration from the U.S. –Improve the court and postal systems

Stephen F. Austin Imprisoned On his way back to Texas, Austin was arrested in Saltillo because of the letter he had written urging Texas to form its own government. Mexican officials thought he wanted Texas to declare independence from Mexico. He was taken back to Mexico City and kept in prison for 1 year!

More Trouble at Anahuac Local merchants claimed that customs duties were only being collected in Anahuac but not in other Texas ports. They refused to pay the import taxes until the law was enforced equally. Their leader was arrested by the Mexican Captain in charge of the garrison. Texans led by William B. Travis went to Anahuac and forced the commander to go back to Mexico.

Not Everyone Agrees Some Texans did not approve of the actions taken by Travis. Several towns adopted resolutions assuring the Mexican government of their loyalty. Local leaders at San Felipe wrote a letter of apology to General Martín Perfecto de Cós, Santa Anna’s brother-in-law & commander of Mexican forces in Coahuila. We’re sorry!

General Cós Rejects the Apology He demanded that Texas officials arrest those involved in the disturbances, especially Travis. He also ordered the arrest of Mexican political leader Lorenzo de Zavala because he had criticized Santa Anna. Zavala Cós

Consultation at Washington-on-the-Brazos Peace Party feared the Consultation might cause more trouble. War Party favored the Consultation Travis and others supported an immediate declaration of independence from Mexico, even if it meant war.

What did Stephen F. Austin think?

Austin was concerned that Santa Anna was becoming a dictator. He was worried about the large number of troops headed for Texas. He was also angry because of his unfair imprisonment for a year.

Austin believed the time had come for Texans to unite against the actions of Santa Anna: “War is our only recourse. There is no other remedy. We must defend our rights, ourselves, and our country by force of arms.”