10.3 Conventions and Petitions

Colonel Mexia travels to Brazoria and was welcomed with a party He gave a favorable report on Texas Santa Anna had defeated Bustamante’s forces and was elected president of Mexico in 1833 Texans believed Santa Anna would restore the Constitution of 1824 Colonel Jose Antonio Mexia

Since the Guerrero Decree of 1829 and Law of April 6, 1830 many Texans had been unhappy with the centralized government A convention was called in San Felipe de Austin to discuss some reforms

Convention of 1832 They adopted several resolutions: 1. They asked the Mexican government to allow legal immigration from the United States.

2. The delegates requested that Texas become a separate Mexican state instead of being joined with Coahuila. 3. The Texans asked that customs duties be removed for three years. 4. The delegates asked for land for public schools. Coahuila y Texas

The convention chose William H. Wharton and Rafael Manchola to take the plan to officials in San Antonio. Despite Manchola’s experience as a legislator the men could not get officials in San Antonio to accept the resolutions. Wharton

Convention of 1833 Met at San Felipe on April 1 with 56 delegates Sam Houston had the most political experience William H. Wharton was chosen president of the convention. Sam Houston

The convention was held while Austin was in Mexico City. This upset him that it was held while he was gone, but he supported it. At the convention a constitution was written for the proposed state. Austin, Erasmo Seguin, and Dr. James B. Miller were chosen to present it to Santa Anna. Austin was the only one who could make the trip.

Austin is Arrested It took Austin 3 months to arrive Once he arrived it he faced one problem after another Santa Anna was out of the city, so Austin had to meet with Vice President Valentin Gomez Farias Vice President Valintin Gomez Farias

Farias had promised to present the proposal to officials, but the city was dealing with many problems An epidemic of cholera had spread through the city killing many people Cholera

Austin waited until September to ask for quick approval He pointed out the Texans might go ahead with their plans for a new government without approval Farias thought this was a threat and the meeting ended in anger.

Austin was frustrated and wrote the Texans in San Antonio advising them to meet “without a moment’s delay for the purpose of organizing a local government for Texas.”

Santa Anna met with Austin in December. He agreed to everything but making Texas a separate state from Coahuila. I agree to everything but making Texas a separate state. Bummer!

Austin left Mexico City full of hope even though he did not receive permission for separate statehood. January- Austin reaches Saltillo and is arrested.

What are the Charges? Mexican officials had read Austin’s letter They believed he had challenged Mexico’s authority Austin was taken back to Mexico City and put in prison without a trial One year later on December 25, 1834 he was released, but was not allowed to return to Texas until July 1835.