Chapter 9-2 The Road to Revolution

Slavery In 1829, the president of Mexico, Vicente Guerrero, issued a decree, or official order, abolishing slavery in Mexico. It was known as the “Guerrero Decree.” Texans argued their economy would fail without slavery and received an exemption.

The Law of April 6, 1830 Based on Meir y Teran’s report, Mexico passed the Law of April 6, 1830 that had a significant impact on Texas.

The Law of April 6, 1830 Provisions of the Law: Outlawed immigration from the United States and encouraged immigration of Mexicans and Europeans to Texas Cancelled incomplete empresario contracts Established new forts and soldiers to prevent the smuggling of slaves into Texas Imposed import taxes (custom duties) on all goods coming from the U.S.

The Law of April 6, 1830 The law was designed to stop further U.S. immigration. U.S. settlers, including Stephen F. Austin, disliked the law, but SFA encouraged them to obey it.

Conflicts at Anahuac In the fall of 1830, Mexico sends Colonel Juan (John) Bradburn and other troops to Texas to establish a garrison, or fort, at the mouth of the Trinity River on Galveston Bay to control commerce, or the buying and selling of goods and services, and uphold the Law of April 6, 1830. This fort, called Anahuac, was an important immigration point and trade route.

Conflicts at Anahuac Bradburn angered Texans by: Arresting Francisco Madero, a surveyor, who served as General Land Commissioner for Texas and was approving land titles (later refuses to release him) Disbanding the Ayuntamiento (City Council) of Liberty and established military control over the settlement “Borrowing” slaves for various military and personal projects without paying their owners for their use

Conflicts at Anahuac In November 1831, George Fisher is appointed the new Customs Official at Anahuac. He requires all ships to pay their custom duties at Anahuac. This requires many shippers to travel overland for days to pay duties. Many shippers ignored the rule, resulting in an exchange of gunfire between the Texans and Mexican troops.

Conflicts at Anahuac Stephen F. Austin complained that the act was not one of disloyalty but a problem with Fisher. The Texans are ignoring Fisher, so Bradburn sends more troops to enforce and arrest those disobeying the rule. Bradburn ends up arresting two lawyers, William B. Travis and Patrick Jack, enraging the Texans.

Conflicts at Anahuac William Jack (Patrick’s brother) and John Austin (probably a distant relative of SFA) rally the citizens of Liberty and Brazoria to demand the release of prisoners. Enroute to Anahuac, Jack and J. Austin’s group captures 20 Mexican soldiers and lay siege to Fort Anahuac once they arrive. Bradburn, Jack, and J. Austin meet and agree on a prisoner exchange, but Bradburn breaks his word after Jack and J. Austin release their prisoners.

Turtle Bayou Resolutions The settlers continue the siege, but they decide they need a cannon to breach the Fort’s wall. J. Austin takes some men to Brazoria to obtain a cannon, while the others retreat to Turtle Bayou and draw up several resolutions.

Turtle Bayou Resolutions Important parts of the Resolutions: Texans are not rebelling against Mexico Texans support the Constitution of 1824 Texans support General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna’s efforts to overthrow the tyrant President Anastacio Bustamante *Texans are angry with Bradburn and the Law of April 6, 1830 because they felt it violated the Constitution of 1824 which gave more local control of government. The Law of April 6, 1830 sent more troops to Texas; settlers paid duties; settlers can’t bring more slaves; and no more U.S. settlers could come to Texas. Santa Anna

Turtle Bayou Resolutions Colonel Jose de las Piedras arrives at Fort Anahuac from Nacogdoches, relieving Bradburn of his command and releasing the prisoners, thus preventing a serious battle at Anahuac. (Piedras believed he was outnumbered, so he gave into the demands.) With Bradburn gone, the settlers’ freedoms are secure and peace returns to Anahuac…

Battle of Velasco Until John Austin returns from Brazoria with the canon. Unaware of the resolutions and peace at Anahuac, J. Austin’s group is challenged by Mexican troops led by Colonel Domingo de Ugartechea, commander of Fort Velasco at the mouth of the Brazos River.

Battle of Velasco June 26, 1832: fighting breaks out between J. Austin’s group and the Mexican soldiers at Fort Velasco. After a brief battle, the Mexican troops surrendered, and J. Austin returned to Anahuac triumphantly, only to find the conflict settled. The battle was considered a “mistake.”

Growing Tensions On July 16, 1832, Colonel Jose Antonio Mexia and 5 warships arrive at the Brazos worried that the Anglo Texans were in revolt. Alcalde John Austin gives General Mexia a copy of the Turtle Bayou Resolutions and assures them they are loyal. Meanwhile, in the summer of 1832, President Bustamante resigns and Santa Anna takes over. Many Texans support Santa Anna and his Federalists, but the resistance to Mexican authority is growing stronger.