Growing Tensions

1
Growing Tensions

• Rebellions, 1831 1832
• p. 190 - 193

2
Settlers Protest at Anahuac

• The first serious conflict over Mexicos 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 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 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 Austins 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 Mexican
  troops.
• The Mexican troops surrendered after running out
  of ammunition.

8
Clash at Velasco

• Austins 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.