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Growing Tensions. The Difficulties Begin. Differences Create Tension. While Federalists held power in Mexico, the colonists were left alone.
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Growing Tensions The Difficulties Begin
Differences Create Tension • While Federalists held power in Mexico, the colonists were left alone. • When the Centralist Party came to power in 1829, it issued regulations to bring the states and provinces of Mexico more under the authority of the national government. • Most Anglo-American colonists considered these regulations to be unnecessary and unfair. • These clashes eventually led to a revolution.
Trouble Begins in East Texas • The first clash between colonists and Mexican authorities came in 1826. • Haden Edwards was awarded land, but when he arrived people were already living on his lands. • Edwards forced all settlers to show their title or get one from him. • Political Chief Justice Jose Antonio Saucedo told Edwards that he could not charge them for the new land title.
The Republic of Fredonia • Haden’s brother, Benjamin Edwards, believed the only hope for solving the problem was to declare the colony independent from Mexico. • He made an alliance with a Cherokee Indian chief, Richard Fields, and prepared for action. • In 1826, Edwards with about 30 armed settlers claimed the colony the Republic of Fredonia. • U.S. and Austin's colony refused to help Edwards. • January 1827, the Fredonian Revolt collapsed.
Mier y Teran Investigates • The revolt had Mexican authorities worried; they thought the revolt was part of an American scheme to acquire Texas. • 200 soldiers under Colonel Jose de las Piedras were sent to Nacogdoches to prevent an uprising. • Anthony Butler, a U.S. ambassador, proposed that Mexico sell Texas to the U.S; this only fueled their suspicion that the U.S. wanted Texas. • General Manuel de Mier y Teran was sent to investigate.
Mier y Teran Investigates • He observed that the Anglo-American influence was strong and they outnumbered Mexican settlers by at least 5:1. • He made it clear that if the Mexican government did not act at once, Texas would be lost forever. • In 1829 the Mexican president issued a decree, or order, abolishing slavery. • Texans attempted to persuade the government to exempt, or excuse, Texas from the decree. • The decree was never put into effect, but Texas slave holders believed it was only a matter of time before it would apply to them.
The Law of April 6, 1830 • On April 6, 1830, the Centralist Mexican government issued several new laws: • It stopped immigration from the U.S. • It suspended most empresario contracts that had not been completed. • The government encouraged the immigration of Mexican and European families to Texas. • It set up new forts. • These soldiers would prevent smuggling, the introduction of slaves, and illegal land speculation.
The Law of April 6, 1830 • Mexico discouraged trade between foreign nations and Texas by placing taxes called customs duties on goods made in foreign nations. • Most colonists considered these unfair. • Each side began to distrust the other. • Stephen F. Austin tried to negotiate with Mexican leaders, but realized that serious damage had already occurred.