LESSON 3Tensions Grow, 1833–1835

ESSENTIAL QUESTION What are the characteristics of a leader?

 As tensions between Texans and the Mexican government increased, some Texans favored declaring independence from Mexico, even if it meant war.

Austin’s Mission To Mexico• In April of 1833, Stephen F. Austin left the Convention of 1833 in San Felipe to Mexico City to deliver the resolutions to the Mexican government.• When Austin reached the Mexican capital three months later, Santa Anna was away from the city. At that time, the new government of Mexico was not yet well organized. Austin waited impatiently into October.• October 2; He suggested that they join with other officials across Texas to form a temporary state government.

Austin Arrested•By November 1833, Santa Anna agreed to some reforms: • Repeal, the law restricting US immigration• However, not a separate state for Texas

• Austin headed to TX in Dec. In Jan 1834, he reached Saltillo:• The vice president believed Austin’s request for a new state

government was an act of rebellion and ordered Austin arrested.

•Austin went to meet commanding general in Saltillo. He was arrested and sent back to Mexico City, where he remained in prison for a year. •On Christmas Day 1834, they release Austin, however he had to stay for the final decision.• Austin had always believed getting along with the Mexican government would help all Texans succeed. He was always quick to calm the situation.

•What leadership qualities did Stephen F. Austin show in dealing with Mexico?

Texas During Austin’s Absence

•Problems in1833, Texas included:•cholera epidemic of 1833•Heavy rains•cases of malaria

Reforms

• The reforms Santa Anna had promised for Texas also began.•English as an official language for legal and business transactions •allowing immigration from the US•improving the court and postal systems•Religious tolerance was also granted. •Texas was divided into three departments,  and thus was able to send three representatives, instead of one.

Officials in Mexico sent Colonel Juan Almonte • An inspection tour of Texas in 1834. He reported that all was quiet in Texas and urged that reforms be continued. He also recommended that Austin be released from prison.

Primary Source

• “My confinement has been very rigid but I am in good health and have borne it with tolerable patience. I had no books the first month, and it was solitary enough—after that I prevailed on the sergeant to go to D. Victor Blanco who sent them—he and Padre Muldoon have been firm and unwavering in their friendship to me in all this business.”• —Stephen F. Austin, from a letter written during his Mexican imprisonment

Explaining

• What led to the arrest of Stephen F. Austin?

•Why did Texans call for a consultation?

Trouble Erupts Again• Trouble broke out once again around Anahuac. They were angry that Mexican officials had begun forcing them to pay duties on imports.• Local merchants, led by store owner Andrew Briscoe, claimed that the taxes were not being collected in other ports. Briscoe said that unless enforcement of the law was uniform, it was unfair. He then provoked the commander of Anahuac’s garrison, Captain Antonio Tenorio, with a trick. However, the cargo was nothing but bricks.

Anahuac’s touble

• He then provoked the commander of Anahuac’s garrison, Captain Antonio Tenorio, with a trick. However, the cargo was nothing but bricks. Briscoe’s arrest angered many Texans. • In late June, William B. Travis led a group from San Felipe to Anahuac to pressure Tenorio into surrendering.• Travis’s actions upset some Texans. Several towns adopted

resolutions assuring the Mexican government of their loyalty. Leaders at San Felipe wrote a letter of apology to General Martín Perfecto de Cós, Santa Anna’s brother-in-law and commander of the Mexican forces in Coahuila

General Cos Responds• General Cós was upset by the fiery words and aggressive acts of the Texans. He demanded that Texas officials arrest those involved in the disturbances, including William B. Travis. Santa Anna, it seemed, was no longer a Federalist. He wanted power centralized—in his hands.

• Cós also ordered the arrest of Lorenzo de Zavala. De Zavala had helped to write the Mexican Constitution of 1824. Committed to Federalist ideas, he had been critical of recent actions by Santa Anna in Mexico. Concerned about his safety, he had moved to Texas.

A Call For A Consultation•Cós’s actions caused great concern in Texas. •On August 15, 1835, the town leaders of Columbia issued a call for a convention so the people could discuss the situation. This meeting came to be known as the Consultation, because the members were to consult with one another on the issues they faced. •Texans were divided on the idea of the Consultation. One group, called the Peace Party, worried that the meeting would lead to trouble. Another group, called the War Party, favored holding the meeting. 

• William H. Wharton and William B. Travis favored an immediate declaration of independence from Mexico, even if it meant war. The invitation to the Consultation stated that the delegates should work for a peaceful solution if it could be secured on agreeable terms. However, the invitation also urged the delegates to “prepare for war—if war is inevitable.”

At a meeting in Brazoria in early September, Austin spoke in favor of the Consultation. Austin was now convinced that Santa Anna was becoming a dictator, or a leader who rules with absolute power. After long consideration, Austin believed the time had come to act. He urged the people to unite:

“War is our only recourse. There is no other remedy. We must defend our rights,

ourselves, and our country by force of arms.”-Stephen F. Austin

• Identifying Cause and Effect What led to the call for the Consultation?

Lesson 3 Review1. Define the word repeal and use it in a sentence related to the lesson content.• 2. Describing Describe the leadership qualities of Stephen F. Austin in dealing with Mexico.• 3. Sequencing List the following events in the correct sequence: Tenorio surrenders; Travis marches to Anahuac; General Cós rejects apology; Briscoe is arrested.• 4. Identifying Points of View Describe the points of view of the two opposing groups at the time of the Consultation.• 5. Identifying What was a major factor in Austin’s decision to approve the Consultation?• 6. PERSUASIVE WRITING Choose the point of view of one of the two parties at the Consultation. Write a persuasive letter to a friend who is uncommitted about the meeting, pointing out the advantages of your party’s position. Mention the events of the period in your argument.