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Constitution of 1824
The Mexican Constitution of 1824, was based off of the U.S constitution. For example, their three branches of government are very similar to that of the U.S. However in Mexico the official religion was Catholic, and the church was supported by public taxes. The Anglo-American, though, were not represented, and the constitution was never submitted to a vote of the people for ratification. Stephen F. Austin conferred with mexican leaders and Erasmo Seguín in Mexico. -
Fredonian Rebelion
The Edwards brothers received their empresario grant on April 14,1825 that entitled them to settle as many as 800 families in and around eastern Texas. They were to uphold land grants certified by the Spanish and Mexican government. They offended settlers by forcing those who could not provide ownership to move or pay them for their land, so Mexico canceled the contract. In response, the Edwards made an alliance and declared the "Republic of Fredonia" independent of Mexico. -
Mier y Teran Report
General Manuel de Mier y Terán led an expedition into Texas. He planed to observe the natural resources, indians, and U.S.-Mexican border. He was joined by a scientist, artist, & cartographer. Their trip was delayed by illness and muddy roads. In Mier y Terán's report he thought that strong measures needed to be taken to stop the U.S. from taking Texas. He also suggested that having more Mexican and European settlers in Texas would help the situation. His report led to the Law of April 6, 1830. -
Guerrero Decree
Guerrero Decree banished slavery, it is thought that he wanted the decree to be a check on American immigration. It made its way to Texas by October 26, but the chief refused because it was in violation of the colonization laws, which guaranteed the settlers security for their persons and property. This upset the Texan settlers so on Decmber 2 the Mexican Government notified the governor of Texas that no change would be made respecting the slaves in Texas. -
Law of April 6, 1830
The law was designed to stop immigration from the U.S. to Texas. It was a result of the Meir y Teran report. The law forbade bringing slaves into mexico. Texans were greatly upset by the news of the new law. Stephen F. Austin protested to the mexican officials. He was successful and they limited parts of the law. -
Conflict at Anahuac
Juan Davis Bradburn went to the Trinity River with orders to establish a town on October 26,1830. His job was to prevent immigration from the U.S into Mexico because of the law of April 6,1830. Many of the problems that they had were because of people not paying taxes. An issue arose when Anglo settlers were arrested. The other settlers organized a rescue force of 200 men, they attacked Turtle Bayou and took hostages in exchange for the Anglo settlers. This offer was refused, but soon resolved. -
Convention of 1832
This was held at San Felipe after the Anahuac Disturbances, the Battle of Velasco, and the Turtle Bayou Resolutions. 55 delegates chose S.F.A. to request statehood from Coahuila, tariff exemptions, modification of the Law of April 6, 1830, permit more general immigration from the United States, and vigilance, safety, and correspondence, which could disseminate news quickly in case of an emergency. For many reasons the resolutions were never presented to the Mexican Government. -
Turtle Bayou Resolutions
On June 12, 1832, John Davis Bradburn fled from Anahuac to the crossing on Turtle Bayou. The Texas rebels learned about the Federalist army winning a significant victory, led by Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. They took advantage of this news and sided with the Federalists. Federalist sympathizers were against a Centralist government as part of a civil war that had been going on for two years. The 1824 constitution urged all Texans to support patriots fighting under Santa Anna. -
Battle of Velasco
The battle was the first bloodshed between Texas and Mexico. John Austin and Henry Smith were in charge of Texas. The settlers of Texas fought Mexico at Fort Velasco. Texas had 100-150 men and Mexico had 91-200 men. Though the Mexicans outnumbered the Texans they were forced to surrender. -
SFA goes to Mexico City
After the convention of 1833, Stephen F. Austin was elected to deliver petitions to Mexico City and urge for approval. After his journey he went home convinced he had left nothing undone. Even though Santa Anna would not approve. Austin was arrested in January under suspicion of trying to incite insurrection in Texas. He remained a prisoner until he was released in 1834. -
Convention of 1833
The Convention met at San Felipe on April first. It was the same day that Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna took control over Mexico. William Wharton petitioned for the anti-immigration in the Law of April sixth. Delegates also offered their thoughts splitting up Coahuila and Texas. They began to write a new constitution, assuming that the petition would be granted by the Mexican Congress. -
The Consultation
It was held in San Felipe. It served as a debate between opposing factors that wanted to continue a diplomatic relations with Mexico, which was led by Stephen F. Austin. And the side that wanted to declare independence, led by William Wharton and Henry Smith. Several delegates did not attend however, because of the fighting. there were three issues, war, power, and structure of the government.
