10.4 The Move Towards War

1. 10.4 The Move Towards War

2. Mexico Tightens Control • Andrew Briscoe stirred up trouble with a Mexican official at Anahuac. • He loaded up his ship with brick to make it look like his ship was loaded down with smuggled goods, so he could fool the commander into believing he was trying to avoid paying taxes on the goods. • The commander was so mad about the trick that he arrested Briscoe. Andrew Briscoe

3. Mexico Tightens Control • Briscoe’s actions reflected the concern of many Texans had about the Mexican government • Santa Anna declared that Mexico was not ready to be a republic so he began to strengthen control of the central government. • This violated the federal Constitution of 1824, which most Texans supported. • In January 1835, he sent more troops and customs collectors to Texas. • He did honor one of Austin’s requests by legalizing U. S. immigration Mexican Constitution of 1824

4. Mexico Tightens Control • In the spring of 1835, Captain Antonio Tenorio began collecting customs duties in Anahuac, where taxes had not been collected since 1832. • This angered the Texans at Anahuac, who believed that they were paying a greater share of taxes then at other Texas ports. • Andrew Briscoe’s arrest increased tensions.

5. Mexico Tightens Control • In response, Willam Travis and about 25 U. S. settler sailed the Ohio to Anahuac. • There the group fired one shot and demanded Tenorio’s surrender. • When he refused, Travis ordered an attack. • Tenorio quickly surrendered and agreed to leave Texas William Barrett Travis

6. Mexico Tightens Control • Travis’s actions disturbed many Texans. • Some feared that the conflict would cause more problems with Mexico and they offered apologies to Mexican officials • General Martin Perfecto de Cos, the military commander of Texas, ordered the arrest of Travis, Robert Williamson, Samuel Williams, F.W. Johnson, and Lorenzo de Zavala. • Cos also ordered more troops into Texas to better control the region

7. Mexico Tightens Control • Zavala was a former Mexican cabinet member, state governor, and a firm supporter of federalism. • He moved to Texas in 1835 after Santa Anna abandoned federalism. Lorenzo De Zavala

8. Debating War and Peace • General Cos’s orders greatly concerned Texans. • Most U.S. settlers believed that citizens should have a right to a trial by jury. • In 1834, the state legislature had granted Texas court reforms, such as a trial by jury. • But Cos planned to put any prisoners on trial in a military court, which though legal, was unacceptable to many Texans. Orders of General Cos

9. Debating War and Peace • William H. Wharton • The arrival of more troops upset Texans. • A group led by William H. Wharton called a meeting to discuss these matters. • The group decided to have delegates to attend another convention known as the Consultation, on October 15, 1835, in the settlement of Washington-on-the-Brazos.

10. Debating War and Peace • In the meantime, Texans began debating how to respond to the growing problems with the Mexican government. • One faction or group, argued that Texans should remain calm. This faction wished to keep peaceful relations with the government. • Another group, the war faction, argued for action. Some members of the war faction wanted Texas to declare its independence from Mexico

11. Debating War and Peace • While the debate continued, Stephen F. Austin returned from his imprisonment in Mexico. • Austin’s views on the conflict had changed because of his arrest. • Austin had gone to Mexico City to work for peace. • Upon his return, Austin urged Texans to unite against Santa Anna and declare his support for the upcoming Consultation. • Austin warned that Texans had no choice but to go to war. Stephen F. Austin