1. Haden Edwards Land Contract (1825)
In 1825, Haden Edwards was an empresario that had a contract to establish a colony in Texas.
The only problem he had was there were already families living on most of the land. He was told he to recognize the rights of any settler with legal titles.
The problem for many settlers living there already is that their families never received land titles because those family farms date back to the Gil Ybarbo’s days in the last 1700s.
Outcome This created tension between Haden Edwards, Mexican officials and settlers who could NOT provide a land title.

2. Mayor of Nacogdoches Election (1825)
Tensions continue between Haden Edwards and the settlers with the election of a new Mayor of Nacogdoches.
Samuel Norris ran for mayor and supported the original settlers that could not provide land titles to their land
Haden Edwards supported his son-in-law, Chichester Chaplin.
Eventually, Edwards proclaimed Chaplin the winner. However, many citizens believe the election was rigged in favor of Chaplin and complained to the Mexican government.
A final solution to the mayor election came when Mexican official Antonio Saucedo declared Samuel Norris the winner of the election and canceled Haden Edwards’ empresario contract.
Outcome The Edward Brothers (Haden and Benjamin) was furious and wanted to protest the Mexican government’s decision They decided to take over the Old Stone Fort in Nacogdoches.

3. Fredonian Rebellion (1826)
The Edwards brothers attempted to protest and create their own country, independent of Mexico in Nacogdoches (East Texas).
They named the country “Fredonia,” after the word “freedom.” Many Texans did not support the plan and Mexico quickly shut down the idea by sending in the army.
Outcome This event made Mexico concerned about the Texans and their future plans to take over Mexican-Texas.

4. Mier y Teran Report (1828)
He was the Mexican General sent to investigate the “Texas situation”.
He reports that many Texans are not following Mexican law, are entering Texas illegally from the US, they are not speaking Spanish or going to Catholic church services, and are electing their own leaders.
He said for every 1 Mexican or Spanish born citizen living in Texas there were 10 Anglo Americans living there (10:1 ratio).
Outcome Mexico became concerned that they will “Lose Texas forever!” In response to the findings in the Mier y Teran Report, Mexico created the “Law of April 6, 1830.”

5. Law of April 6, 1830
A series of provisions (laws) passed after Mier y Teran’s report on Texas.
The intention of the law was to:
Anger the Anglo Americans in Texas so much that they go back to the U.S.
Frustrate the Anglo Americans in Texas so they just give in and start living a traditional “Spanish” lifestyle.
These laws upset Texans, as they go against much of the Mexican Constitution of Some of the laws include:
No longer allowed US immigration to Texas – encouraged European and Mexican immigration
Higher customs duties (taxes) placed on US imports to discourage trade
Anglo settlers could not bring in any more slaves into Texas.
Increased number of Mexican forts and presidios in Texas for intimidation and control.
Outcome Anglo settlers were alarmed and outraged at these new provisions (laws). Many had family members and friends that wanted to come to Texas. Many also depended on trade with the US and slave labor to earn a living. Both sides begin to distrust each other and tensions continue to rise.

6. Trouble at Anahuac (1832)
John Davis Bradburn was a Mexican Colonel that commanded a garrison at Anahuac.
He was accused by colonists of refusing to return escaped slaves and telling his soldiers to steal supplies from local businesses. He was also enforcing taxes on goods that were imported from foreign countries into Texas.
In May 1832, Bradburn arrested two lawyers, William B. Travis and Patrick C. Jack for interfering with Bradburn’s efforts to enforce the laws.
Angry settlers marched to Anahuac to free Travis and Jack. A small skirmish occurs between the Texians and the Mexican soldiers.
Outcome Eventually, John Davis Bradburn was dismissed from his duties by Mexican Colonel Jose de las Piedras and the situation in Anahuac was resolved.

7. Violence at Velasco (1832)
John Austin and his supporters loaded a cannon on a ship near the Brazos River and were headed to Anahuac to fight against Bradburn and obtain the release of Travis and Jack.
Mexican Colonel Domingo de Ugartechea refused to let them pass at Velasco and a fight began.
Outcome The Battle of Velasco, as it was known later, was a short but bloody battle. When the Mexican troops ran out of ammunition, they surrendered and John Austin’s group traveled on to Anahuac. However, Travis and Jack were already freed from jail when Bradburn was dismissed.

8. Turtle Bayou Resolutions (1832)
After several small skirmishes (fights) with the Mexican Army, Texans wrote a series of statements that said they are not rebelling against Mexico, only defending their rights under Mexico’s Constitution of 1824.
The Texan colonists stated their support of General Santa Anna because he was attempting to overthrow the current Centralist Mexican President, Anastasio Bustamante, who was ignoring the rights provided in the Federalist Mexican Constitution of 1824.
Santa Anna pledged to uphold the rights provided in the Mexican Constitution of 1824. .
Outcome This is often considered to be the most peaceful event on the “Road to the Texas Revolution.” During this point in time, Texians had no idea that soon enough General Santa Anna would become their greatest opponent (enemy) in their fight for independence.

9. Conventions of 1832 and 1833
55 delegates met in San Felipe de Austin in October, Stephen F. Austin presided over the Convention
Several proposals were made in the Convention by the Texians. They wanted to:
1. Resume immigration from the U.S.
2. Exempt Texas from import duties (taxes) for 3 years
3. Make Texas a separate STATE of Mexico
Outcome None of these proposals were ever presented to the Mexican Government.
A 2nd Convention was called at San Felipe in April of 1833 with many of the same delegates from the previous convention.
The Convention of 1833 adopted similar resolutions but went further by drafting a state constitution for the newly proposed state of Tejas under Mexican rule.
Outcome Stephen F. Austin was chosen to go to Mexico to present these resolutions to Santa Anna.

10. Arrest of Stephen F. Austin (1834)
Stephen F. Austin traveled to Mexico City in 1833 to meet with new Mexican President Santa Anna about a plan for Texas.
Frustrated with the slowness of his meetings with the government he told officials back in Texas to start planning for a new Texas state government under Mexican control.
Santa Anna saw this as an attempt for the Anglos to break away from Mexico and he put Austin in jail, outraging many Texans.
Stephen F. Austin spent the next two years in a Mexican prison.
Outcome Texians were outraged that their leader, Stephen F. Austin, was not only arrested, but imprisoned for two years. During his imprisonment, Texas leaders and colonists became more vocal and united about their dissatisfaction with Mexican authorities. Could this be the last straw?

11. Consultation (1835)
Leaders of Columbia called for a meeting to consult on ideas and issues facing the Texians. This meeting took place at Washington-on-the-Brazos.
Two groups emerged at the meeting - One group called the Peace Party and another group called the War Party.
Both groups argued over what should be the next step:
Fight for states’ rights or write a declaration of independence from
Mexico?
Stephen F. Austin was released from jail during the Consultation meeting and favors the War Party and calls Santa Anna a dictator.
Austin states “war is our only recourse. There is no other remedy. We must defend our rights, ourselves and our country by force of arms.” War with Mexico became a reality.