Texas Revolution BeginsConflicts and Early Battles

Revolution Begins

Conditions for Colonization.–Settlers became citizens of Mexico

–Follow Mexican laws–Had to become Catholic–Had to learn to speak Spanish

Revolution Begins

Government in Mexico.–Constitution of 1824 – an attempt to

have a democratic government.Settler’s Feelings about Colonies.–They had different freedoms and rights.–Wanted democracy.–Austin tried to help keep the peace and

often spoke to the government for the settlers.

Revolution Begins Cont.

The Fredonia Rebellion–1826 conflict in Nacogdoches –

Colony settled by Hayden Edwards–Hayden Edwards tries to remove

the Tejano settlers.–Mexico sides with Tejanos.–Benjamin Edwards marches

through town with a red and white flag that says Independence, Liberty and Justice.

Fredonia Flag

Manuel Mier Y Teran Mexico wanted to learn more about

settlers. General Manuel Mier y Teran was sent to

survey and observe Texas colonies. His report included the following:

– More Anglos than Tejanos. They numbered 10 Anglos for every 1 Tejano.

– Farther North and East, more Anglos.– Invite more Mexicans and Europeans.– Mexican government needs to occupy Texas.– Send soldiers to live and watch over Texas.– Texans trading with U.S. (illegal)

Law of April 6, 1830 Cont.

Law of April 6, 1830 required:– No more settlers from U.S.– Also made settlers pay taxes on goods

from U.S.– No more slaves brought into Texas– Soldiers moved into Texas to watch the

colonists.

Snapshot of Law of April 6, 1830

No more Anglos from US!!

What are those colonists doing coming in Texas

I am free! No Slavery in Tejas!

What will we do now! My family is in Tejas.

Taxes on US Goods

Bradburn Increases Tensions John Davis Bradburn

– Mexican official– Anglo American who supported centralists

in Mexico.– Job was to enforce Mexican laws dealing

with settling in Texas. Land titles

– Forced Texans to work for free to build a new fort at Anahuac and used colonist’s slaves to work for his public works programs

Anahuac Conflict

William T. Logan– Came to Anahuac from US looking for

2 of his slaves who had run away.– Bradburn had the slaves and wouldn’t

give them back to Logan without a proof of ownership.

– Logan hired attorney William Barrett Travis to help him.

Anahuac Conflict

– Travis (only 22 years old) tried to trick Bradburn to get him to release the slaves.

Note to a guard saying Logan was back and had brought armed troops.

Bradburn rallied his soldiers but was embarrassed when Logan didn’t have soldiers.

Bradburn had Travis arrested (Travis’ parter, Patrick Jack, was arrested also).

Texans demanded the release of Travis and Jack

– Sent a group of 150 settlers to Anahuac to protest.

Anahuac Conflict

Bradburn said he would release Travis and Jack if settlers would retreat.

Settlers retreated but Bradburn did not release Travis and Jack.

Settlers decided to set up camp between Anahuac and Liberty on Turtle Bayou.

Bradburn reinforced his troops.

Turtle Bayou Resolutions

Settlers camped at Turtle Bayou sent John Austin to Brazoria to get a cannon.

While waiting for him to come back, they drafted (wrote) the Turtle Bayou Resolutions.

The resolutions:– Colonists pledged loyalty to Mexico.– Stated support for Santa Anna (who

seemed to be on the same side as the colonists but wasn’t).

Turtle Bayou Resolutions Before John Austin got back with

the cannon, a Mexican Colonel, Jose de las Piedras, went to Anahuac to see what was going on.

When he got there, he– Ordered Travis and Jack released from

jail.– Dismissed Bradburn from his

command.

The Battle of Velasco

When John Austin was trying to get the cannon back to Anahuac, he put the cannon on a ship and sailed it down Brazos River to Gulf of Mexico at Velasco

When they got to Velasco, the Mexican colonel , Domingo de Ugartechea, wouldn’t let them continue on

Fighting broke out…soldiers shot at each other for first time

Battle of Velasco, con’t

Both Mexicans and Texans died in the Battle of Velasco.

Mexican troops ran out of ammunition and had to surrender and returned to Mexico.

Texans continued on down Brazos River to Anahuac.– Got there and found out the problem at

Anahuac had already ended

Convention of 1832-33 At the end of 1832 and beginning of

1833, the colonists were concerned about the growing conflicts and their rights being taken away.

They had 56 delegates meet to decide what to do.– Created two petitions to take to Mexico

One to allow settlers back into Texas from US

Allow Texas to write a separate State Constitution.

– Chose Stephen F. Austin to take the petitions.

Austin travels to Mexico

After Convention of 1833, Stephen F. Austin went to Mexico City to give the new Texas resolutions to Mexican officials– Trip took 3 months

When he got to Mexico City, it was in turmoil after a revolution led by Santa Anna– Santa Anna (through his representative

Valentin Gomez Farias) attempted to make changes

– Cholera epidemic swept through city; thousands died

Austin’s Journey to Mexico

Austin presented the resolutions to Gomez Farias

Farias wasn’t in a hurry to address Texan’s problems

Austin got impatient– Wrote a letter to the Texans suggesting

that they establish a new state government that would make Texas separate from Coahuila but still be a part of Mexico

Agreements with Santa Anna Austin then met with Santa Anna Santa Anna agreed to most of Texan’s

requests– Allowed US immigration to Texas again– Agreed to improve mail service and court

system– Promised fairer taxes on goods coming to

Texas from US Santa Anna would NOT agree to

separate statehood for Texas

Austin’s Journey to Mexico

Austin’s letter was returned from Bexar and sent to the Vice President.

He was captured in Saltillo, Mexico and sent to prison for without being charged with a crime or given a trial. – He was moved from prison to prison for almost

one year and was allowed no communication with anyone other than the guard.

– Austin was released from prison in December 1834, but had to stay in Mexico City for 6 month’s probation.

– Finally he return to Texas in June of 1835.– He was angry with the Mexican government

and felt Texas would now have to fight for freedom.

Letter Writing

Pretend you are Austin and you are writing a letter to one of the leaders of Texas – David G. Burnet –

Explain what has happened to you. Why you think it happened. How you are being treated; and What rights they have refused to

give you?

Early Battles - Gonzales

September 1835 – Town of Gonzales told to return a cannon given to them for Indian raids. Texans ignored the order.

Mexican Government sent Castaneda and small force to retrieve the cannon.

Castaneda arrived on Sept. 30 and camped on other side of Guadalupe River. He asked for the Alcalde, but was told he wasn’t in town.

Texans formed a militia from surrounding towns.

Gonzales Battle Cont’d

October 2, 1835 –Texans refused to return the cannon and hung a flag on it that said, “Come and Take It”. Texans attacked in the early dawn hours.

Fighting briefly stopped and Castenada tries to negotiate, but Texans still say no. Fighting continues until one soldier is shot. Mexicans surrendered and returned to San Antonio.

That was known as the Battle of Gonzales, the first battle of the Texas Revolution.

Texans formed an army led by Stephen Austin. Ben asked, “Who will go with old Ben to San

Antonio?” - gets 300 volunteers General Cos – In Alamo and the town square. December 5, 1835 Texans enter San Antonio from

two sides and were stationed in two homes. Ben – shot crossing from one house to next. Texas fought like crazy going from house to house

shooting. December 9, 1834 – Cos surrenders and leaves

San Antonio.

1st Battle of San Antonio