Growing Tensions
The Difficulties Begin 1823-1833
Chapter 8
Section 1
Differences Create Tension
• Trade expands
• Population grows
• 1820 – Federalists in
charge – colonists left
alone
• 1829 – Centralists in
charge – new rules –
colonists protest
When the Centralist Party came
to power, what changed for the
colonists?
The colonists were less independent
and had to obey Mexican laws.
Trouble Begins in East
Texas
• 1826 – Haden Edwards awarded
an empresario contract
• People already there
• Edwards HAS to recognize the
rights of those with titles (most
didn’t have titles)
• Announced that ALL settlers
must show title, move, or buy
title from him
The Republic of Fredonia
• Edwards forced to
recognize previous
settlers
• Benjamin Edwards
(Haden’s bro.) declares
colony independent
from Mex.
• Alliance made with
Cherokees
• Invaded Nacogdoches
(white flag bearing
words –
“Independence,
Liberty, and Justice”
• U.S. refuses to
assist Edwards
Brothers
• Fredonian Revolt
collapsed when
Mexican troops
arrived
• Fredonians fled to
Sabine River to
U.S.
Mier y Terán Investigates
• U.S. Ambassador
Anthony Butler
suggests selling Texas
to U.S.
• Reinforces Mexico’s
fears
• General Mier y
Terán sent to
investigate
• Mier’s report
– Strong American influence
– Mexico must act at once or
Texas is “lost forever.”
• President of Mexico
issues a decree to
abolish slavery
Why was Anglo American
influence so strong in East
Texas at this time?
Anglo settlers outnumbered Mexican
settlers by at least five to one.
The Law of April 6, 1830
• Stopped immigration
from U.S.
• Suspended most
incomplete empresario
contracts
• Encouraged
immigration from
Mexico and Europe
• Set up new forts
– Prevent smuggling
– Prevent slave trade
Establishes custom
duties (taxes) on
goods made in
foreign nations
Why did the Mexican
government issue the Law of
April 6, 1830?
To prevent U.S. domination of Texas
Causes and Effects of
Mexican/Anglo Conflict
• Causes
– The State Colonization
Law of 1825 encourages
immigration
– New Anglo American
settlers far outnumber
Mexican residents
– Mier y Terán report
warns possible loss of
Texas
• Effects
– Law of April 6, 1830,
Mexico forbids
immigration from
U.S.
– New limits on trade
with U.S. spark Anglo
protests
– Additional Mexican
troops arrive in San
Antonio
Growing Tensions
Rebellions 1831-1832
Chapter 8
Section 2
Settlers Protest at Anahuac
• 1st serious conflict over Mexico’s actions
• John Davis Bradburn
– Commander of Mexican garrison
– accused of taking supplies
• William B. Travis & Patrick C. Jack
imprisoned
• John Austin goes to Brazoria for a
cannon
Turtle Bayou Resolutions
June 13, 1832
• Colonists declared loyalty to Mexico
• Not rebelling against Mexican
authority
• Support Antonio López de Santa Anna
(leading a revolt against Centralists)
• Colonel José de las Piedras takes over
Anahuac and releases Travis and Jack
Clash at Velasco
June 26, 1832
• John Austin get cannon
• Mexican troops refuse to let Texans pass
• Col. Domingo de Ugartechea fires upon
Texans
• Loss of life on both sides
• Mexicans run out of ammunition and
surrender
Conventions of 1832 & 1833
•
58 delegates meet in San Felipe
de Austin
– William H. Wharton, Rafael
Manchola, Stephen F. Austin
•
•
•
•
•
•
Stephen F. Austin elected
president of convention
Texas made separate Mexico
state
U.S. immigration allowed
Exempt from import taxes
Improved educational facilities
Better protection from Indians
• New group meets
• New people – Sam Houston
• Adopted same resolutions as
1832
• Prepared a constitution for
proposed Mexican state of
Texas
• S. F. Austin, Dr. James B.
Miller, and Erasmo Seguin
sent to Mexico
• Austin goes alone
Growing Tensions
Increased Tensions 1833-1835
Chapter 8
Section 3
Austin’s Mission is Stalled
•
•
•
•
Leaves San Felipe – goes to Mexico
Santa Anna govt. is unorganized
Cholera epidemic in Mexico City
Frustrated, Austin writes back to Texas encouraging
the formation of its own govt.
Austin is Imprisoned and
Released
• Santa Anna agrees to some of Austin’s requests
– No Texas statehood
– Repeals law restricting immigration from U.S.
– Improves court and postal systems
• Austin leaves for Texas – arrested for previous letter
encouraging Texas to establish its own govt.
• Remained in prison for one year (Dec 1833-1834)
• After released, forced to stay in Mexico City until July 1835
Reforms Begin in Texas
• Cholera and malaria epidemics
• Santa Anna’s reforms begin
–
–
–
–
English is official language in business deals
Increase number of govt. representatives
Improve court systems
Religious tolerance
Trouble Erupts Again
• Problems in Anahuac again
– Captain Antonio Tenorio – garrison commander
– Andrew Briscoe argued over customs duties (taxes)
– Briscoe arrested – Travis and group force Tenorio to
release Briscoe and leave Texas
• Some Texans disagreed with Travis’ actions
• Offered letter of apology to General Martín Perfecto
de Cós (Santa Anna’s brother-in-law and
commander of Mexican forces in Texas/Coahuila)
General Cós Rejects the Apology
•
•
•
•
Apology refused
Cós demands arrests of those involved
Santa Anna switched from Federalist to Centralist
Cós takes troops to Texas to arrest those he
considered disloyal
– William B. Travis
– Lorenzo de Zavala
Texans Call for a Consultation
• Convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos to discuss Cós
and his desire for arrests
– Consultation (consulting the people on what to do)
• Peace Party
– Feared Consultation would cause trouble
– Only “prepare for war – if war is inevitable
– Hoped Austin would oppose Consultation
• War Party
– Wanted immediate declaration of independence – even if it meant
war
– Austin approved Consultation – convinced Santa Anna is a dictator