Growing Tensions

1. Growing Tensions Rebellions, 1831 – 1832 p. 190 - 193

2. Settlers Protest at Anahuac • The first serious conflict over Mexico’s actions occurred at the port town of Anahuac, the site of a small Mexican garrison established to control commerce, or the movement of goods. • John (Juan) Davis Bradburn commanded the town. • Bradburn quarreled with the colonists over several things.

3. Settlers Protest at Anahuac • Merchants were mad about customs duties on imported goods because they would have to travel long distances to process the paperwork. • The last blow occurred when Bradburn arrested and imprisoned two lawyers, William B.Travis and Patrick C. Jack, for interfering in this efforts to enforce the laws. • About 160 settlers marched to Anahuac demanding their release.

4. Settlers Protest at Anahuac • After a small skirmish, or fight, between the colonists and Bradburn, he agreed to release the prisoners if the colonists retreated from Anahuac. • Not all the settlers withdrew so Bradburn refused to release the prisoners and called for extra forces to strengthen his position. • After another skirmish, the colonists made camp at Turtle Bayou. • John Austin went to Brazoria to bring back a cannon.

5. Colonists Adopt the Turtle Bayou Resolutions • On June 13, 1832 the colonists adopted a number of statements known as the Turtle Bayou Resolutions. • In the resolutions, formal statements, the colonists: • Declared their loyalty to Mexico. • Denied they were rebelling against Mexican authority. • Insisted they were supporting Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, leader of a revolt against the Centralist president.

6. Colonists Adopt the Turtle Bayou Resolutions • The Centralist President, Anastasio Bustamante was unpopular with the colonists because he ignored the federal Mexican Constitution of 1824. • Santa Anna promised to support the Texan-favored constitution. • Commander of Mexican garrison at Nacogdoches, Colonel Jose de las Piedras, arrived at Anahuac and promised Bradburn would be removed from command.

7. Clash at Velasco • On June 26, 1832 another clash occurred at Velasco. • John Austin’s group had loaded the cannon from Brazoria onto a ship. • The Mexican commander thought they were rebels and would not let them pass when they reached Velasco. • Fighting erupted between the Texans and the Mexican troops. • The Mexican troops surrendered after running out of ammunition.

8. Clash at Velasco • Austin’s group then sailed on to Anahuac with the cannon, only to find Travis and Jack had already been freed. • Meanwhile, Santa Anna supporters were winning battles elsewhere. • In late 1832, Bustamante resigned as president of Mexico and Santa Anna began serving as president in 1833. • Texas thought Santa Anna would support Texas because he had declared himself a Federalist.

9. Conventions of 1832 and 1833 • Texans called a convention to discuss changes needed in Texas. • 58 delegates assembled in San Felipe on October 1, 1832. • Stephen F. Austin was elected president of the convention. • The convention resolved that: • Texas be made a separate Mexican state • U.S. immigration be allowed again.

10. Conventions of 1832 and 1833 • The delegates also asked for: • An exemption from some import taxes • Improved educational facilities • Better protection against Native Americans • Land titles for settlers in East Texas. • For various reasons these resolutions were never presented to officials in Mexico.

11. Conventions of 1832 and 1833 • On April 1, 1833, another convention was called at San Felipe. • This became known as the Convention of 1833. • Sam Houston attended this meeting. • The convention adopted resolutions and a constitution for the proposed Mexican state of Texas. • Stephen F. Austin carried the resolutions to Mexico City.