Causes of the Texas Revolution

American Settlers in a Mexican Nation American colonists in Texas had to adapt to a different culture and government in Mexican Texas. Many refused to adapt. They wanted to live like they had in the U.S. So they started their own churches, newspapers, and schools Protestant church were common in the American colonies

Haden Edwards In 1825 Haden Edwards received an empresario grant in east Texas near the U.S. border. (Louisiana) He found that there were many people already living on the land including squatters. A squatter is someone who settles on land without title or the right to do so.

Edwards was angry about the people on the land his grants claimed. He posted notices saying that people need to produce legal documents for their land or they had to leave. They could stay on their land if they paid Edwards a fee. S.F. Austin wrote Edwards: “You despise the class of people who were now settlers in the country, and only wanted rich men, and would drive away the poor devils who has been the first to settle, unless they paid your price”

Some settlers who had lived there for years had no documents and could not afford to pay Edwards. The settlers wrote the Mexican government and were told they could stay on the land.

Edwards, as empresario of the area, also got involved with a disputed election for alcalde in Nacogdoches. Samuel Norris won the election but Edward’s son-in-law, a Mr. Chaplin claimed the office as well. Edwards overturned the election and put his son-in-law in the position.

Mexican Governor Blanco reversed the election decision and took away Edward’s land grant. Edwards was furious and complained he lost $50,000 on this land grant.

The Fredonian Rebellion In December of 1826 Edwards, angry at the Mexican Government for taking away their land grants, recruited some soldiers and captured the Old Stone Fort in Nacogdoches. They claimed Nacogdoches and the surrounding area was independent and was now a new country, The Republic of Fredonia. The Republic of Fredonia Flag The Old Stone Fort in Nacogdoches

Stephen F. Austin was upset by Edwards’ actions. He wrote Edwards and criticized him for his actions “The affair will be highly injurious (hurtful) to the future prospects of emigration, and of general detriment (damage) to the whole country. The subject has caused me great unhappiness” 1826

In early 1827 Mexican soldiers and militia from Austin’s Colony arrived and Edwards gave up and fled to Louisiana. This confirmed the fear of Mexican officials that Americans were trying to take Texas.

An Attempt to Purchase Texas The same year as the Fredonian Rebellion in 1826, President John Quincy Adams of the United States offered to buy Texas for $1 million. Mexico was offended that anyone would think they would want to sell part of their own country and was now very concerned about losing Texas to the US. President John Quincy Adams

The Mier y Teran Report In 1828, Mexico sent General Manuel Mier y Teran to Texas to investigate the state. When he returned to Mexico he said there were too many Americans in Texas. He said that Texas was more like the US than Mexico. Finally he said if something was not done that Mexico would lose Texas. Manuel Mier y Teran