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Constitution of 1824
The Mexican government made the constitution to declare their freedom from Spain in 1824 after a long battle. They made the Catholic religion the official religion and the church was supported by the treasury (taxes). The three branches of government were very similar to the U.S. Government and so was most of the constitution. They had 2 Houses of Congress, 4-year terms for the President, and a Supreme Court. This was an important step for the Independence of Mexico. -
Fredonian Rebellion
The Fredonian Rebellion caused a disagreement between the Mexican government and the Edwards brothers, Haden and Benjamin. Edwards received his impresario grant on April 14, 1825 that let him settle as many as 800 families in and around Nacogdoches in eastern Texas. They then forced settlers who could not keep ownership, to move or pay him for their land. The Mexican government didn't like that because they wanted to make life in Texas better than the rest -
Mier y Teran Report
In 1827 President Guadalupe Victoria named General Manuel de Mier y Terán to lead a scientific and boundary expedition into Texas. His job was to observe the Indians and natural resources , to discover the population and attitudes of the Americans living there, and to find the United States-Mexico boundary between the Sabine and the Red rivers. In his report he suggested additional soldiers surrounding the border, closer trade ties with Mexico, and the upgrade of more Mexican and other settlers. -
Guerrero Decree
The Guerrero Decree put an end to slavery throughout the Republic of Mexico. This was issued by President Vicente R. Guerrero on September 15, 1829. It is not fully understood why Guerrero issued this law, but it is thought he may have hoped the decree would be a check on American immigration because they liked slavery and they might want to come here to bring slaves but if slavery wasn't allowed then less people would want to come into Texas -
Law of April 6, 1830
The Law of April 6, 1830 was designed to stop the flood of immigration from the United States to Texas, becasue the Mier y Terán Report had seen this problem. The Law of April 6,stopped the further introduction of slaves into Mexico, and intended to suspend empresario contracts. This helped prevent the overflow of immigration into Texas. Texas colonists were greatly disturbed by news of the law and Stephen F. Austin protested the law to Mexican officials and President Anastasio Bustamante. -
Conflict at Anahuac
Col. Juan Davis Bradburn came to the mouth of the Trinity River on Galveston Bay with his men. He was given orders to establish a garrison and a town on October 26, 1830. His job was to help the collector of customs and prevent the entrance of immigrants from the United States in accord with the recently passed Law of April 6, 1830. That changed plans when two men got arrested and they had to go save them. They made an agreement but later did not get there men back so they got into a battle. -
Turtle Bayou Resolutions
On June 12, 1832, settlers opposed to the rule of Mexican commander John Davis Bradburn fled from Anahuac north to the crossing on Turtle Bayou. The Texas rebels had just learned that the Federalist army had won a significant victory under the leadership of Antonio López de Santa Anna. Taking advantage of this news, they sided with the Federalist cause by composing the Turtle Bayou Resolutions. -
Battle of Velasco
The Battle of Velasco, which took place on June 26, 1832, was probably the first case of bloodshed in the relations between Texas and Mexico.Henry Smith and John Austin, in charge of Texans who had gone to Brazoria to retrieve a cannon to use against the Mexican forces at Anahuac. The settlers fought the Mexican forces at Fort Velasco, who tried to prevent the passage of the boat carrying the cannon. -
Convention of 1832
They elected Stephen F. Austin president and was held at San Felipe de Austin after the Anahuac Disturbances, the Battle of Velasco, and the Turtle Bayou Resolutions.The convention adopted of resolutions requesting the extension of tariff exemptions, modification of the Law of April 6, 1830, to permit
more general immigration from the United States, donation of government lands for the maintenance of primary schools and they didn't show it to the Mexicans for many reasons. -
Convention of 1833
The Convention of 1833 met at San Felipe on April 1, the day that Antonio López de Santa Anna took control of Mexico. William H. Wharton presided over the convention which petitioned for repeal of the anti‐immigration section of the Law of April 6, 1830, asked for more adequate Indian defense, judicial reform, and improvement in mail service, sought tariff exemption, and passed resolutions prohibiting African slave traffic into Texas. -
Stephen F. Austin Goes to Mexico City
The Convention of 1833 elected Austin to deliver the petitions to Mexico City and argue for their approval. He left San Felipe in April, arrived in Mexico City in July, and, after unavoidable delays, persuaded the government to repeal the Law of April 6, 1830, and to promise important reforms in Texas local government. -
The Consultation
The Consultation was held in San Felipe in late October into early November of 1835. This served as a debate between the opposing factions that wanted to continue a diplomatic relations with Mexico, led by Stephen F. Austin and the side that wanted to immediately declare independence, led by William Wharton and Henry Smith.
