LESSON 2 First Conflicts

ESSENTIAL QUESTION Why does conflict develop?

Trouble at Anahuac Taxes led to the next conflict between Texans and Mexico. In the port of Anahuac. Colonel John (Juan) Davis Bradburn and the colonists living at Anahuac began to argue over collection of taxes, harboring run away slaves, and some of his people of stealing supplies. Bradburn tried to enforce the duty on goods imported, or brought into a place, by ship to Texas. Bradburn ordered a tax collector at Anahuac to collect duties on goods as far away as the Brazos River. This resulted in the exchange of gunfire between Texans and Mexican troops.

Arrests Lead to Clashes The situation grew worse in May of Bradburn arrested lawyers William B. Travis and Patrick C. Jack and put them in prison. Bradburn claimed they had interfered with his efforts to enforce the laws. About 200 people in all, marched to Anahuac. A small skirmish, or fight, took place between the Texans and the Mexican troops. The Texans captured some of Bradburn’s soldiers and hoped to exchange them for Travis and Jack. Bradburn agreed to the exchange if the Texans retreated, or turned back. The Texans released the soldiers, but some of the Texans refused to leave. As a result, Bradburn did not release Travis and Jack and called in additional forces. The Texans and Mexicans fought another skirmish. After it, the Texans made camp at nearby Turtle Bayou. They realized they needed more weapons, so John Austin led a group back to Brazoria to find a cannon.

The Turtle Bayou Resolutions Other important events were taking place in Mexico at the same time as this conflict in Texas. General Antonio López de Santa Anna, a Federalist, was leading a revolt against Centralist president Anastacio Bustamante. Bustamante was unpopular with Texans. They believed his Centralist rule went against the Mexican Constitution of On the other hand, Santa Anna had promised to follow the constitution. Most Texans supported Santa Anna because of this.

The Turtle Bayou Resolutions (cont.) News reached Turtle Bayou that Santa Anna had won a battle in Mexico against Centralist. They met and agreed on the Turtle Bayou Resolutions on June 13, – Turtle Bayou Resolutions declared their loyalty to Mexico, Santa Anna, Mexico’s Federalists, but not to the Mexican government. Resolutions are formal statements..

Meanwhile…..at Anahuac Bradburn asked other commanders for help at Anahuac. Help arrived from the Mexican garrison at Nacogdoches. Commaner Piedras believed that the Texans had more soldiers so they gave in to their demands. Bradburn was removed from his post and Travis and Jack were released. Bradburn resigned and fled from Texas. A Federalist officer took charge at Anahuac. He declared support for Santa Anna, closed the fort, and moved his troops to Mexico to join the fight against the Centralists.

Identifying Points of View Why did the Turtle Bayou Resolutions support the Federalists of Mexico?

Texans Seek Change What were the goals of the conventions of 1832 and 1833? The situation in Anahuac calmed down. Then on June 26, 1832, violence broke out at Velasco, near the mouth of the Brazos River. John Austin and his group had found a cannon at Brazoria and loaded it onto a ship. However, a Mexican commander named Colonel Domingo de Ugartechea (oogahrtehCHAYah) would not let them pass through Velasco. Soon the Texans and Mexicans were fighting. The Battle of Velasco did not last long, but it was very bloody. Several men on both sides of the fight died. At least a dozen soldiers on each side were wounded. Ugartechea surrendered once the Mexican soldiers ran out of bullets and other ammunition. Austin’s group then sailed on to Anahuac with the cannon, only to discover that Travis and Jack had already been set free. Meanwhile, those supporting Santa Anna were winning battles. Bustamante resigned as president of Mexico in the late summer of Santa Anna took power the next year. Most Texans were pleased. They believed he would treat Texas well, since he had declared himself a Federalist. Convention of 1832 Fifty-five delegates from Anglo American settlements met at a convention in San Felipe in the fall of A delegate is a person who represents a group at a meeting. The convention was held from October 1 through October 6. Stephen F. Austin served as its president. The delegates agreed to send several requests to the government of Mexico. William H. Wharton and Rafael Manchola were selected to present their proposals.

Convention of 1832 Fifty-five delegates from Anglo American settlements met at a convention in San Felipe in the fall of – A delegate is a person who represents a group at a meeting. The convention was held from October 1 through October 6. Stephen F. Austin served as its president. The delegates agreed to send several requests to the government of Mexico.

The proposals of the Convention of 1832 were mainly ideas that Texans had supported for many years. The delegates wanted: – immigration from the United States to be allowed once again. – They also wanted Texas to be free from paying import duties for three years. In addition, they requested something totally new. – They asked that Texas be made a separate state of Mexico. These proposals were never presented, though. Some leaders thought that their arguments were weakened because almost all the delegates were Anglo Americans.

Convention of 1833 Anglo Americans held a second convention at San Felipe in April Among the new delegates was Sam Houston, representing Nacogdoches. The Convention of 1833 adopted resolutions like the ones agreed to the year before. However, this meeting did more than just ask to make Texas a separate state. – It actually created a constitution for the proposed state. Sam Houston served as chairman of the committee that wrote the draft of the constitution. Stephen F. Austin, Dr. James B. Miller, and Erasmo Seguín were chosen to present the resolutions in Mexico City. Austin ended up making the trip to Mexico City alone.

Identifying What role did Sam Houston play at the Convention of 1833?

Modeled on Massachusetts The proposed Texas state constitution written in 1833 was based on one used in Massachusetts. A copy of the Massachusetts constitution happened to be available at the convention. The proposed Texas state government had a two-house legislature, a governor, and a court system. The governor’s term was two years, and a person could only be governor four years of every six. The constitution included a lengthy bill of rights.

What were the goals of the conventions of 1832 and 1833?

Lesson 2 Review 1. Define the word import and use it in a sentence about Texas in the 1830s. 2. Summarizing Why did a group of Texans adopt the Turtle Bayou Resolutions? 3. Identifying Points of View What were Santa Anna’s political views on the rights of Texans as compared to those of Bustamante? 4. Contrasting How did the outcomes of the Conventions of 1832 and 1833 differ? 5. Identifying On what river is Anahuac located? Anahuac is located on the Trinity River. 6. PERSUASIVE WRITING Suppose that you are a delegate at the Convention of 1833 in favor of its resolutions. Write a speech that attempts to persuade Mexican officials to accept the resolutions.