Growing TensionsGrowing Tensions

Increased TensionsIncreased Tensions

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Austin’s Mission is StalledAustin’s Mission is Stalled In April 1833, Stephen F. Austin began his In April 1833, Stephen F. Austin began his

journey to take the resolutions to Mexico City.journey to take the resolutions to Mexico City. When Austin arrived, Santa Anna’s When Austin arrived, Santa Anna’s

government was not yet organized and no government was not yet organized and no plans had yet been made on dealing with plans had yet been made on dealing with Texas. Texas.

In Mexico City, a In Mexico City, a choleracholera epidemic had killed epidemic had killed thousands of people.thousands of people.

After waiting 3 months in Mexico City, Austin After waiting 3 months in Mexico City, Austin became impatient from his lack of became impatient from his lack of accomplishments.accomplishments.

Austin wrote the authorities in San Antonio Austin wrote the authorities in San Antonio and encouraged them to form their own and encouraged them to form their own government.government.

Austin is imprisoned and Austin is imprisoned and ReleasedReleased

In November, Santa Anna finally In November, Santa Anna finally returned to Mexico City and agreed to returned to Mexico City and agreed to some of the reforms requested by some of the reforms requested by Austin.Austin.

Santa Anna would not grant Texas Santa Anna would not grant Texas separate state-hood, but agreed to separate state-hood, but agreed to repeal repeal the law restricting immigration the law restricting immigration form the U.S.form the U.S.

Santa Anna agreed to improve the court Santa Anna agreed to improve the court and postal systems.and postal systems.

Austin left for home in December 1833.Austin left for home in December 1833.

Austin is imprisoned and Austin is imprisoned and ReleasedReleased

When Austin reached Saltillo in January When Austin reached Saltillo in January 1834, he was arrested for the letter he 1834, he was arrested for the letter he wrote to the authorities of San Antonio.wrote to the authorities of San Antonio.

He was taken to Mexico City and He was taken to Mexico City and remained in prison for 1 year. remained in prison for 1 year.

Local officials at various Texas towns Local officials at various Texas towns began to press for Austin’s freedom.began to press for Austin’s freedom.

Austin was released on bail on Christmas Austin was released on bail on Christmas 1834, but had to remain in Mexico City.1834, but had to remain in Mexico City.

Austin was given complete freedom in July Austin was given complete freedom in July 1835 and landed in Texas on September 1835 and landed in Texas on September 1, 1835 after 2 years and 4 months.1, 1835 after 2 years and 4 months.

Reforms Begin in TexasReforms Begin in Texas Cholera and malaria spread through Texas Cholera and malaria spread through Texas

and Mexico while killed many people.and Mexico while killed many people. 1834 was better in Texas. The reforms 1834 was better in Texas. The reforms

promised by Santa Anna had begun. promised by Santa Anna had begun. Including:Including:– Recognizing English as an official language for Recognizing English as an official language for

transactions.transactions.– Immigration from the U.S.Immigration from the U.S.– Improving the court systemImproving the court system– Increasing the number of Texas representatives Increasing the number of Texas representatives

in the state legislature.in the state legislature.– Religious tolerance was granted.Religious tolerance was granted.

Reforms Begin in TexasReforms Begin in TexasDuring Austin’s imprisonment During Austin’s imprisonment

the Mexican government sent the Mexican government sent Colonel Juan Almonte on an Colonel Juan Almonte on an inspection tour of Texas.inspection tour of Texas.

Almonte reported all was quiet Almonte reported all was quiet in Texas and to continue the in Texas and to continue the reforms.reforms.

Trouble Erupts AgainTrouble Erupts Again In early 1835 trouble between Texas and In early 1835 trouble between Texas and

Mexico broke out again in Anahauc.Mexico broke out again in Anahauc. Captain Antonio Tenorio was the Captain Antonio Tenorio was the

commander of the garrison in Anahauc.commander of the garrison in Anahauc. Local Anahauc residents, led by Andrew Local Anahauc residents, led by Andrew

Briscoe, quarreled with Tenorio about Briscoe, quarreled with Tenorio about custom duties. custom duties.

They argued these taxes were not They argued these taxes were not charged at other ports and refused to pay charged at other ports and refused to pay them until the law was enforced equally.them until the law was enforced equally.

Tenorio arrested Briscoe.Tenorio arrested Briscoe.

Trouble Erupts AgainTrouble Erupts Again Briscoe’s arrest caused resentment Briscoe’s arrest caused resentment

among the colonists.among the colonists. A group led by William B. Travis went A group led by William B. Travis went

to Anahauc and forced Tenorio to to Anahauc and forced Tenorio to surrender and leave Texas.surrender and leave Texas.

Several towns adopted resolutions Several towns adopted resolutions assuring the Mexican government assuring the Mexican government of their loyalty.of their loyalty.

Local San Felipe leaders wrote a letter of Local San Felipe leaders wrote a letter of apology to General Marin Perfecto de Cos, apology to General Marin Perfecto de Cos, commander of the Mexican forces in commander of the Mexican forces in Coahulia.Coahulia.

General Cos rejects the General Cos rejects the ApologyApology General Cos demanded that Texas General Cos demanded that Texas

officials arrest those involved in the officials arrest those involved in the disturbances and turned over to the disturbances and turned over to the military for trial.military for trial.

Santa Anna was no longer a Federalist; Santa Anna was no longer a Federalist; he had become a Centralist.he had become a Centralist.

Cos also ordered the arrest of a Cos also ordered the arrest of a distinguished Mexican politician, Lorenzo distinguished Mexican politician, Lorenzo de Zavala because he had helped frame de Zavala because he had helped frame the Mexican Constitution of 1824.the Mexican Constitution of 1824.

Cos announced that he was taking many Cos announced that he was taking many soldiers to Texas to arrest those he soldiers to Texas to arrest those he considered disloyal.considered disloyal.

Texans Call for a Texans Call for a ConsultationConsultation

Texans were concerned because they Texans were concerned because they were not willing to turn their friends over were not willing to turn their friends over to the Mexican government. to the Mexican government.

On August 15, 1835, The town of On August 15, 1835, The town of Columbia issued a call fro a convention to Columbia issued a call fro a convention to discuss the situation.discuss the situation.

This became know as the This became know as the ConsultationConsultation and was to meet at Washington-on-the-and was to meet at Washington-on-the-Brazos on October 15.Brazos on October 15.

One group, the One group, the Peace PartyPeace Party, felt the , felt the Consultation might cause trouble.Consultation might cause trouble.

Texans Call for a Texans Call for a ConsultationConsultation Another group, War Party, favored the Another group, War Party, favored the

Consultation and was led by settlers who Consultation and was led by settlers who had been disappointed when the Mexican had been disappointed when the Mexican government stopped issuing contracts for government stopped issuing contracts for lands in Texas.lands in Texas.

Leaders like William H. Wharton and Leaders like William H. Wharton and Willliam B. Travis favored an immediate Willliam B. Travis favored an immediate declaration of independence from Mexico, declaration of independence from Mexico, even if it meant war.even if it meant war.

The invitation for the Consultation noted The invitation for the Consultation noted that the delegates should work for a that the delegates should work for a peaceful solution. peaceful solution.

Texans Call for a Texans Call for a ConsultationConsultation

Austin gave his approval for the Austin gave his approval for the Consultation.Consultation.

Austin had become convinced Austin had become convinced that Santa Anna was becoming a that Santa Anna was becoming a dictatordictator, a ruler with absolute , a ruler with absolute power.power.

Austin believed the time had Austin believed the time had come to act and urged the come to act and urged the colonists to unite. colonists to unite.