Ch 9: The Road to Revolution Growing Tensions in Texas

Trouble Begins in East Texas  Empresario, Hayden Edwards came to Texas in He discovered many people living on his grant without proper land titles.  In return, Edwards tried to charge the settlers for new land titles and their issue.  The Mexican government told Edwards he could not charge the settlers for new titles to the land.

Republic of Fredonia  Hayden Edwards, upset with the Mexican government, declared his colony independent from Mexico.  Austin refused to help them.  Mexico sent troops from San Antonio to stop the revolt.

Mier y Teran  Manuel Mier y Teran, a representative of the Mexican government was sent to Nacogdoches to investigate the revolts of the Anglos.  Concluded that the Anglo influence was too strong in Texas.  Urged the Mexican government to act quickly or lose Texas to the United States.

The Law of April 6, 1830  Was a result of the Edwards revolt and Teran Report.  Mexico issued a law stopping all immigration from the United States and suspended all empresario contracts.  Set up forts with soldiers to prevent smuggling and bringing in of slaves.

Protest in Anahuac  Colonists accused John Davis Bradburn of taking supplies and refusing to give up runaway slaves.  Merchants objected to taxes Bradburn imposed on imported goods. (Boycott)  Bradburn imprisoned two lawyers, William B. Travis and Patrick C. Jack for interfering in his efforts to enforce laws.

Turtle Bayou Resolution  Under this, colonists declared their loyalty to Mexico and denied that they were rebelling against Mexican authority.  Santa Anna promised to support a Mexican Constitution that favored Texans.

Clash at Velasco  John Austin and others fought Mexican troops at Velasco.  Mexicans surrendered after casualties on both sides.  Santa Anna becomes president of Mexico, Texans thought he’d be a Federalist.

Convention of 1832 and 1833  58 delegates assembled at San Felipe in 1832 to discuss changes needed in Texas.  SFA was elected president of the convention.  Delegates asked for Texas to become a separate state, exemption from import taxes, improved educational facilities, better protection from Native Americans, and land titles.  Austin went to Mexico City to present the proposals.

Austin goes to Jail  When Austin met with Santa Anna, the proposal did not go through.  Santa Anna rejected statehood, but agreed to repeal laws regarding U.S. immigration, he also agreed to improve the court and mail systems.  Austin left pleased with the outcome.  He was arrested in Saltillo because of the letter he sent to authorities in San Antonio, his sentence was 1 year.