Mexican TexasMexican Texas

Age of EmpresariosAge of Empresarios

Austin Establishes a Austin Establishes a ColonyColony Moses AustinMoses Austin received received

permission from Spain to bring permission from Spain to bring American settlers into Texas.American settlers into Texas.

He was familiar with Spanish He was familiar with Spanish laws and regulations.laws and regulations.

Moses died of pneumonia before Moses died of pneumonia before the task was carried out.the task was carried out.

Stephen Fuller AustinStephen Fuller Austin was was determined to follow out his determined to follow out his fathers plan.fathers plan.

Austin Sets Colony Austin Sets Colony BoundariesBoundaries

Austin explored Texas and Austin explored Texas and determined the region between the determined the region between the Colorado RiverColorado River and the and the BrazosBrazos was a was a good place for a colony.good place for a colony.

It had fertile soil, water, natural It had fertile soil, water, natural resources, a mild climate, and no resources, a mild climate, and no other settlements.other settlements.

Austin wrote a request for the land Austin wrote a request for the land to the governor and asked for to the governor and asked for additional land along the coast for additional land along the coast for trade. trade.

Advertising for Advertising for ColonistsColonists Austin began advertising for colonists to move Austin began advertising for colonists to move

to Texas. to Texas. Every man would receive 640 acres for Every man would receive 640 acres for

himself, 320 for his wife, 160 for each child, himself, 320 for his wife, 160 for each child, 80 for each slave. 80 for each slave.

Austin surveyed, or measured, the land Austin surveyed, or measured, the land himself. himself.

Settlers paid 12.5 cents per acre. Settlers paid 12.5 cents per acre. New settlers were required to pledge an New settlers were required to pledge an

oath of oath of allegiance to the Spanish allegiance to the Spanish governmentgovernment. .

New settlers had to become New settlers had to become CatholicCatholic and of and of good moral character. good moral character.

Austin Impresses Mexico Austin Impresses Mexico LeadersLeaders There was confusion In Mexico City There was confusion In Mexico City

over land grants.over land grants. The new government had many The new government had many

problems and could give only limited problems and could give only limited attention to Texas. attention to Texas.

Austin was finally given a land grant Austin was finally given a land grant under new a new colonization law. under new a new colonization law.

Austin received 100,000 acres of Austin received 100,000 acres of land for his services as land for his services as empresarioempresario, a land agent whose , a land agent whose job it was to bring in new settlers job it was to bring in new settlers to an area.to an area.

Austin Impresses Mexico Austin Impresses Mexico LeadersLeaders

While in Mexico, Austin learned While in Mexico, Austin learned much about Mexican customs much about Mexican customs and institutions. and institutions.

Austin impressed the leaders Austin impressed the leaders with his honesty and sincerity.with his honesty and sincerity.

Men and Women of the “Old Men and Women of the “Old Three Hundred”Three Hundred”

Austin's settlers became Austin's settlers became known as the “known as the “Old Three Old Three HundredHundred.”.”

Being the first people to settle Being the first people to settle in the new area, they had the in the new area, they had the opportunity to select the best opportunity to select the best land.land.

Most chose land near rivers or Most chose land near rivers or streams.streams.

Age of Age of EmpresarioEmpresarioThe Colonies The Colonies

GrowGrow

The Constitution of 1824The Constitution of 1824 In 1823, Mexican emperor Augustin de In 1823, Mexican emperor Augustin de

Iturbide was overthrown.Iturbide was overthrown. FederalistsFederalists, people who believe in , people who believe in

sharing power between the states and sharing power between the states and national government, formed a new national government, formed a new government.government.

Their opponents, Their opponents, CentralistsCentralists, believed , believed that power should be concentrated in that power should be concentrated in the national government of Mexico City.the national government of Mexico City.

The Federalists wrote a constitution that divided the nation into 19 states and 4 territories. Coahuila y Tejas became one democratic state.

How State Colonization Laws How State Colonization Laws WorkedWorked

In 1825 a law stating foreigners were In 1825 a law stating foreigners were invited to immigrate to Texas.invited to immigrate to Texas.

Colonists had to show evidence of Colonists had to show evidence of good moral character.good moral character.

They must be They must be Roman CatholicRoman Catholic, , however the Mexican authorities did however the Mexican authorities did not bother settlers who practiced not bother settlers who practiced other religions because there was a other religions because there was a shortage of Catholic priests.shortage of Catholic priests.

How State Colonization How State Colonization Laws WorkedLaws Worked

Most settlers came to Texas as part Most settlers came to Texas as part of an empresario contract for 2 of an empresario contract for 2 reasons:reasons: 1. 1. Most settlers could not speak Most settlers could not speak Spanish and therefore had trouble Spanish and therefore had trouble getting title to their land without an getting title to their land without an empresario’s help.empresario’s help.

2. Most desirable lands were held 2. Most desirable lands were held by an empresario. by an empresario.

Why Austin’s Colonies Why Austin’s Colonies SucceededSucceeded

Stephen F. Austin was the most successful empresario because: He dealt successfully with Mexican authorities.

Austin’s contract included land Austin’s contract included land with fertile soil for growing cottonwith fertile soil for growing cotton

He made it easy to get land He made it easy to get land

Why Come to Texas?Why Come to Texas? Cheap landCheap land Fresh land for cotton growing—land in Fresh land for cotton growing—land in

the east was worn outthe east was worn out Land was well wateredLand was well watered Lumber for homes and fuelLumber for homes and fuel Roads and rivers provided Roads and rivers provided

transportationtransportation Allowed slavery, but not slave trading Allowed slavery, but not slave trading

Growing TensionsGrowing Tensions

The Difficulties BeginThe Difficulties Begin

Differences Create TensionDifferences Create Tension While Federalists held power in While Federalists held power in

Mexico, the colonists were left alone.Mexico, the colonists were left alone. When the Centralist Party came to power When the Centralist Party came to power

in 1829, it issued regulations to bring the in 1829, it issued regulations to bring the sates and provinces of Mexico more under sates and provinces of Mexico more under the authority of the national government. the authority of the national government.

Most Anglo-American colonists Most Anglo-American colonists considered these regulations to be considered these regulations to be unnecessary and unfair.unnecessary and unfair.

These clashes eventually led to a These clashes eventually led to a revolution.revolution.

Trouble Begins in East Trouble Begins in East TexasTexas

The first clash between colonists and The first clash between colonists and Mexican authorities came in 1826. Mexican authorities came in 1826.

Haden EdwardsHaden Edwards was awarded land, was awarded land, but when he arrived people were but when he arrived people were already living on his lands. already living on his lands.

Edwards forced all settlers to show Edwards forced all settlers to show their title or get one from him.their title or get one from him.

Political Chief Justice Political Chief Justice Jose Antonio Jose Antonio SaucedoSaucedo told Edwards that he could told Edwards that he could not charge them for new land title. not charge them for new land title.

The Republic of FredoniaThe Republic of Fredonia Haden’s brother, Benjamin Edwards, believed Haden’s brother, Benjamin Edwards, believed

the only hope for solving the problem was to the only hope for solving the problem was to declare the colony independent form Mexico. declare the colony independent form Mexico.

He made an alliance with a Cherokee Indian He made an alliance with a Cherokee Indian chief, Richard Fields, and prepared for action.chief, Richard Fields, and prepared for action.

In 1826, Edwards with about 30 armed In 1826, Edwards with about 30 armed settlers claimed the colony the settlers claimed the colony the Republic of Republic of Fredonia. Fredonia.

U.S. and Austin's colony refused to help U.S. and Austin's colony refused to help Edwards.Edwards.

January 1827, the Fredonian Revolt January 1827, the Fredonian Revolt collapsed.collapsed.

Miler y Teran Miler y Teran Investigates Investigates The revolt had Mexican authorities The revolt had Mexican authorities

worried; they thought the revolt was part worried; they thought the revolt was part of an American scheme to acquire Texas. of an American scheme to acquire Texas.

200 soldiers under Colonel 200 soldiers under Colonel Jose de Jose de las Piedraslas Piedras were sent to were sent to Nacogdoches to prevent an uprising. Nacogdoches to prevent an uprising.

Anthony Butler, a U.S. ambassador, Anthony Butler, a U.S. ambassador, proposed that Mexico sell Texas to the proposed that Mexico sell Texas to the U.S; this only fueled their suspicion that U.S; this only fueled their suspicion that the U.S. wanted Texas. the U.S. wanted Texas.

General General Manuel de Mier y TeranManuel de Mier y Teran was was sent to investigate.sent to investigate.

Mier y Teran InvestigatesMier y Teran Investigates He observed that the Anglo-American influence He observed that the Anglo-American influence

was strong and they outnumbered Mexican was strong and they outnumbered Mexican settlers by at least 5:1.settlers by at least 5:1.

He made it clear that if the Mexican government He made it clear that if the Mexican government did not act at once, Texas would be lost forever.did not act at once, Texas would be lost forever.

In 1829 the Mexican president issued a In 1829 the Mexican president issued a decreedecree, or , or order, abolishing slavery.order, abolishing slavery.

Texans attempted to persuade the government to Texans attempted to persuade the government to exemptexempt, or excuse, Texas from the decree. , or excuse, Texas from the decree.

The decree was never put into affect, but The decree was never put into affect, but Texas slave holders believed it was only a Texas slave holders believed it was only a matter of time before it would apply to matter of time before it would apply to them.them.

The Law of April 6, 1830The Law of April 6, 1830 On April 6, 1830, the Mexican government On April 6, 1830, the Mexican government

issued several new laws:issued several new laws: It stopped immigration from the U.S.It stopped immigration from the U.S. It suspended most empresario contracts It suspended most empresario contracts

that had not been completed.that had not been completed. The government encouraged the The government encouraged the

immigration of Mexican and European immigration of Mexican and European families to Texas.families to Texas.

It set up new forts.It set up new forts. These soldiers would prevent smuggling, These soldiers would prevent smuggling, The introduction of slaves, The introduction of slaves, Illegal land speculationIllegal land speculation. .

The Law of April 6, 1830The Law of April 6, 1830 Mexico discouraged trade between Mexico discouraged trade between

foreign nations and Texas by foreign nations and Texas by placing taxes called customs duties placing taxes called customs duties on goods made in foreign nations.on goods made in foreign nations.

Most colonists considered these unfair. Most colonists considered these unfair. Each side began to distrust the Each side began to distrust the

other.other. Stephen F. Austin tried to negotiate Stephen F. Austin tried to negotiate

with Mexican leaders, but realized with Mexican leaders, but realized that serious damage had already that serious damage had already occurred.occurred.

Growing TensionsGrowing Tensions

RebellionsRebellions

Settlers Protest at Settlers Protest at AnahuacAnahuac The first serious conflict over The first serious conflict over

Mexico’s actions occurred at the Mexico’s actions occurred at the port town of Anahuac, the site of a port town of Anahuac, the site of a small Mexican garrison established small Mexican garrison established to control commerce, or the to control commerce, or the movement of goods.movement of goods.

John (Juan) Davis BradburnJohn (Juan) Davis Bradburn commanded the town.commanded the town.

Bradburn quarreled with the Bradburn quarreled with the colonists over several things.colonists over several things.

Settlers Protest at Settlers Protest at AnahuacAnahuac

Merchants were mad about customs Merchants were mad about customs duties on imported goods because duties on imported goods because would have to travel long distances would have to travel long distances to process the paperwork.to process the paperwork.

The last blow occurred when The last blow occurred when Bradburn arrested and imprisoned Bradburn arrested and imprisoned two lawyers, two lawyers, William B.TravisWilliam B.Travis and and Patrick C. JackPatrick C. Jack, for interfering in this , for interfering in this efforts to enforce the laws.efforts to enforce the laws.

About 160 settlers marched to About 160 settlers marched to Anahuac demanding their release.Anahuac demanding their release.

Settlers Protest at Settlers Protest at AnahuacAnahuac After a small skirmish, or fight, between After a small skirmish, or fight, between

the colonists and Bradburn, he agreed the colonists and Bradburn, he agreed to release the prisoners if the colonists to release the prisoners if the colonists retreated from Anahuac.retreated from Anahuac.

Not all the settlers withdrew so Not all the settlers withdrew so Bradburn refused to release the Bradburn refused to release the prisoners and called for extra forces to prisoners and called for extra forces to strengthen his position.strengthen his position.

After another skirmish, the colonists After another skirmish, the colonists made camp at Turtle Bayou.made camp at Turtle Bayou.

John Austin went to Brazoria to bring John Austin went to Brazoria to bring back a cannon.back a cannon.

Colonists Adopt the Turtle Bayou Colonists Adopt the Turtle Bayou ResolutionsResolutions

On June 13, 1832 the colonists adopted a On June 13, 1832 the colonists adopted a number of statements known as the number of statements known as the Turtle Bayou Resolutions.Turtle Bayou Resolutions.

In the In the resolutionsresolutions, formal statements, the , formal statements, the colonists:colonists: Declared their loyalty to Mexico.Declared their loyalty to Mexico. Denied they were rebelling against against Denied they were rebelling against against

Mexican authority.Mexican authority. Insisted they were supporting Insisted they were supporting Antonio Lopez Antonio Lopez

de Santa Annade Santa Anna, leader of a revolt against the , leader of a revolt against the Centralist president. Centralist president.

Colonists Adopt the Turtle Bayou Colonists Adopt the Turtle Bayou ResolutionsResolutions

The Centralist President, Anastasio The Centralist President, Anastasio Bustamante was unpopular with the Bustamante was unpopular with the colonists because he ignored the federal colonists because he ignored the federal Mexican Constitution of 1824. Mexican Constitution of 1824.

Santa Anna promised to support the Santa Anna promised to support the Texan-favored constitution.Texan-favored constitution.

Commander of Mexican garrison at Commander of Mexican garrison at Nacogdoches, Colonel Jose de las Piedras, Nacogdoches, Colonel Jose de las Piedras, arrived at Anahuac and promised arrived at Anahuac and promised Bradburn would be removed from Bradburn would be removed from command. command.

Conventions of 1832 and Conventions of 1832 and 18331833 Texans called a convention to Texans called a convention to

discuss changes needed in Texas. discuss changes needed in Texas. 58 delegates assembled in San 58 delegates assembled in San

Felipe on October 1, 1832.Felipe on October 1, 1832. Stephen F. Austin was elected Stephen F. Austin was elected

president of the convention. president of the convention. The convention resolved that:The convention resolved that:

Texas be made a separate Mexican Texas be made a separate Mexican statestate

U.S. immigration be allowed again.U.S. immigration be allowed again.

Conventions of 1832 and Conventions of 1832 and 18331833

The delegates also asked for:The delegates also asked for: An exemption from some import An exemption from some import

taxestaxes Improved educational facilitiesImproved educational facilities Better protection against Native Better protection against Native

AmericansAmericans Land titles for settlers in East Texas. Land titles for settlers in East Texas.

For various reasons these For various reasons these resolutions were never presented resolutions were never presented to officials in Mexico.to officials in Mexico.

Conventions of 1832 and Conventions of 1832 and 18331833

On April 1, 1833, another convention On April 1, 1833, another convention was called at was called at San FelipeSan Felipe..

This became known as the This became known as the Convention of 1833Convention of 1833..

Sam HoustonSam Houston attended this meeting. attended this meeting. The convention adopted resolutions The convention adopted resolutions

and a constitution for the proposed and a constitution for the proposed Mexican state of Texas. Mexican state of Texas.

Stephen F. Austin carried the Stephen F. Austin carried the resolutions to Mexico City. resolutions to Mexico City.