Chapter 14: Texas Faces Foreign Challenges Section 2: Conflict with Mexico

Thinking Question Imagine you are the leader of Mexico, what are some policies you might have towards Texas following the Texas Revolution?

Santa Fe Expedition Texas claimed Rio Grande as southern border Mexico contested this claim Lamar wanted to expand trade and Texas influence

Santa Fe Expedition June 1841: Lamar sends 320 people to Santa Fe Santa Fe expedition sent to expand Texas control in the West Hugh McLeod—leader of the Santa Fe expedition

Santa Fe Expedition Experienced hardships: Indian attacks and ran low on food and water Wagons got stuck near Caprock Divides soldiers

Santa Fe Expedition Oct 1841: Captured by Mexican forces Marched 1200 miles to Mexico City Imprisoned until following April

Santa Fe Expedition Jose Navarro sentenced to death Later escaped 60 Texans died Jose Antonio Navarro

The Texas Navy Sept 1841: Lamar sends Navy to Yucatan coast Rebels agreed to pay $8000/month for use of Texas Navy Texas Navy Flag

The Texas Navy Lamar used the Texas Navy to pressure Mexico for recognition 1841: Sam Houston becomes president and orders navy home Houston tries to sell the navy

The Archives War Mexican leaders upset with actions of the Lamar administration 1842: General Ráfael Vásquez enters Texas Attacks San Antonio, Goliad, Refugio, & Victoria

The Archives War Texans panic & fear an attack on Austin Houston orders archives be removed Austin residents oppose move

Depiction of Archives War The Archives War Archives War—struggle over attempt to move government record from Austin to Houston in 1842 Depiction of Archives War

Angelina Eberly statue in Austin The Archives War Angelina Eberly—leader in the Archives War Angelina Eberly statue in Austin 13

The Archives War Sept 1842: Mexico invades Texas again Adrián Woll—Mexican general who captured San Antonio in September 1842 Texans forced Woll to retreat 14

The Mier Expedition Texans angry about attacks Alexander Somervell—general sent by Houston to pursue General Woll Recapture soldiers taken by General Woll 15

Realizes he does not have enough supplies or soldiers The Mier Expedition Reach Rio Grande Realizes he does not have enough supplies or soldiers Orders troops home 16

The Mier Expedition 300 of 750 soldiers disobey and decide to invade Mexico Mier expedition—an invasion of Mexico by rebellious Texas troops in 1842 Dec 23, 1842: Texans enter Mier and demand supplies 17

900 Mexican soldiers waiting for them The Mier Expedition Supplies do not arrive Texans storm town 900 Mexican soldiers waiting for them 18

100 Mexicans, 30 Texans killed The Mier Expedition 100 Mexicans, 30 Texans killed Texans surrender Mexican commander ignores order to execute prisoners 19

The Mier Expedition Prisoners marched to Mexico City Santa Anna orders every 10th prisoner shot Prisoners draw beans Drawing Beans 20

Execution of Mier Expedition participants The Mier Expedition Black bean = death (blindfolded & shot) White Bean = no punishment September 1844: last of the prisoners released Execution of Mier Expedition participants 21

The Mier Expedition Britain & France worked to restore peace between Texas & Mexico An independent Texas would slow U.S. expansion British Flag French Flag 22

The Mier Expedition Spring 1845: British presents Mexican government with a document recognizing Texas independence Texas agrees not to be annexed Agreement only preliminary 23

Mexico agreed to proposal Wished to prevent U.S. expansion The Mier Expedition Mexico agreed to proposal Wished to prevent U.S. expansion Texans have a choice 24

Texas Mexico 25