Politics in Colonial Texas By: Dr. Richard Bruce Winders, Director of Education & Curation Americans who immigrated to Texas overwhelmingly favored the federal system of government. One issue that divided them, however, was how Texas should achieve separate statehood within the Mexican federal republic. One faction, often referred to by historians as the Peace Party, recommended working within the Mexican system as the best way to work out difficulties with the government and its officials. Another faction, labeled the War Party, favored a more aggressive stance against, even if it ultimately brought the colonists into conflict with Mexico. Tejano politics leaned toward federalism, but tended to center on local issues. The main goal was the breakup of Coahuila and Texas into two separate states, thereby giving Texas its own position within the Mexican federation. Political elites in Béxar welcomed the colonists as potential political allies and business partners. Tejanos whose land became contested by incoming colonists tended to be more accepting of centralist rule if it guaranteed their rights, however, the majority of Tejanos working on ranches were not involved in politics. Important Colonists Allied to the Peace Party Stephen F. Austin (1793-1836) Austin is the best known of the Texas empersarios charged with the orderly settlement of Texas by colonists. He consistently urged not only his, but all colonists, to obey Mexican laws and to assimilate into the Mexican political system and society. As empresario, Austin s authority covered both civil and military affairs in Texas. His arrest at Saltillo in January 1834 and subsequent year of imprisonment in Mexico City, changed his political views. Upon
returning to Texas in August 1835, Austin called for war against the centralists. Austin urged cooperation with other Mexican federalists who also opposed the centralists. He commanded the Federal Army of Texas in its fall campaign against San Antonio de Béxar before being sent by the provisional government to the United States to raise funds for Texas. John Austin (1801-1833) Although not related to the empersario of the same name, Connecticut native John Austin became one of Stephen F. Austin s original colonists known as the Old Three Hundred. A member of John Long s 1819 filibustering expedition, Austin eventually became alacalde of Brazoria. Involved in the first Anahuac disturbance, he became a delegate in the Convention of 1832. He died in 1833 in the cholera epidemic that swept Texas. Don Carlos Barrett (1788-1838) Barrett, an attorney from Vermont, arrived in Texas fairly late, only becoming a Mexican citizen in April 1835. A resident of Mina (Bastrop), he and Edward Gritten went on an aborted mission to explain the colonists viewpoint to Cos at Matamoros. Once the revolution erupted, Barrett first served as delegate to the Consultation of 1835 before becoming a member of the General Council of the Provisional Government of Texas. Governor Henry Smith accused Barrett of practicing law without a license and using his position on the council for personal gain, a charge which further inflamed tension between the governor and the council. David G. Burnet (1788-1870)
A member of an influential Ohio family, the well educated Brunet actually established ties to Texas even before Mexican independence. An unsuccessful empresario venture introduced him to federalist Lorenzo de la Zavala, with whom he became partners. Known to oppose Texas independence at the outset of the revolution, Burnet was excluded from the Consultation and Convention. However, his outsider status worked to his favor when the Convention decided to elevate a non-delegate to the presidency of the new republic. Thomas J. Chambers (1802-1865) A classically educated lawyer from Kentucky, Chambers' travels took him to Mexico City in 1827. Learning the language and the political lay of the land, he gained an appointment and in 1829 was named surveyor general for the Department of Texas. A naturalized Mexican citizen, he became the only colonist officially recognized by the Mexican bar. His criticism of the colonists action during the Anahuac disturbances caused him to be branded a Tory. Embracing the revolution when it erupted, Chambers received a commission as major general of reserves in exchange for a promised to raise a division of volunteers. Although he did not return to Texas until 1837, some of the men he raised served at San Jacinto. James W. Robinson (1790-1857) Prior to leaving Indiana for Arkansas, Robinson had been a law partner of William Henry Harrison. By 1833, he had relocated to Nacogdoches, Texas. Sent to the Consultation in the fall of 1835, delegates elected him lieutenant governor of Texas Provisional Government. After Governor Henry Smith announced he was dissolving the General Council, its members voted to
depose Smith and replace him with Robinson. A major source of the conflict was the Council's continued support for Mexican federalists. Important Colonists Allied to the War Party Francis Frank W. Johnson (1799-1884) Virginia born Johnson arrived in Texas in 1826 and quickly put his skills as a surveyor to use, laying out the plat for Harrisburg. In 1832, Johnson commanded colonists against Mexican authorities during the first Anahuac disturbance. At the Battle of Béxar, Johnson served as an aide to General Burleson, taking command of Ben Milam s column after he was killed. Although lacking the authority to do so, Johnson claimed to command the army left at Béxar following the Texan victory and Burleson s departure. In collusion with James Grant, Johnson promoted the ill-fated Matamoros Expedition. Although an ardent member of the War Party, Johnson supported an alliance with Mexican federalists, a position opposed by Governor Henry Smith. Mosely Baker (1802-1848) A Virginian by birth, Baker left Alabama to escape a charge of forgery. He settled in San Felipe in 1833. An Alabama legislator and newspaper editor, prior to immigrating, he became a vocal proponent for independence once the revolution erupted. Although both were members of the War Party, Baker and Sam Houston developed a bitter hatred for each other. In April 1836, once the Texan Army reached San Felipe on the Brazos River, Baker refused to retreat any further. Houston said his company could stay but ordered Baker to burn the town.
Branch T. Archer (1790-1856) A Virginian by birth, Archer came to Texas in 1831 after killing his cousin in a duel. A trained doctor, he settled in Brazoria and became an early advocate of Texas independence. He represented Brazoria at the Convention of 1833. Delegates elected Archer president of the Consultation held in November 1835 at San Felipe. Shortly afterwards he journeyed to the United States with Stephen F. Austin and William A. Wharton as the three commissioners empowered to raise cash and men for Texas. Henry Smith (1788-1851) Born and raised in Kentucky, Smith came to Texas in 1827 and settled near the lower reaches of the Brazos River. He was wounded at the Battle of Velasco, an event associated with the first Anahuac disturbance in 1832. He held several civic and political positions, representing Brazoria and the surrounding communities. In 1834, the state governor appointed Smith the political chief of the Department of the Brazos. Favoring independence even before the revolution, Smith quickly demanded a complete break with Mexico s federalists. As the governor of Texas Provisional Government, his unyielding views and inability to work with others brought on conflict and chaos. William H. Wharton (1802-1839) Although born in Virginia, Wharton came to Texas from Tennessee after passing that state s bar exam. Arriving in 1827, he married Sarah Ann Groce, the daughter of wealthy planter
Jared Groce. He served as a delegate to the Convention of 1832 and presided over the Convention of 1833. While serving with the army at the Siege of Béxar, the provisional government decided to send Wharton, Stephen F. Austin, and Branch T. Archer to the United States to raise men and money for the Texas cause. Important Tejano Political Figures Don Ramón Músquiz (1797 1867) Born in San Antonio de Béxar, Músquiz sided with the Royalists during Texas early filibustering era. By 1823, Músquiz had a store in town. A contemporary of other prominent Tejanos, he filled several civic offices, including acting governor of Coahuila and Texas and the political chief for the Department of Texas. After the Texas Revolution, he relocated his family to Monclova. Juan Martín de Veramendi (1778 1833) Born in San Antonio de Béxar to an influential merchant, Veramendi followed in the family business. During the Mexican Wars of Independence, he opposed the Las Casa Revolt of 1811, but was later suspected of helping the rebels. After the passage of these troubles, he became a member of San Antonio's ayuntamiento in 1820 and was alcalde in 1824, an office he held for the next few years. Veramendi also held state offices, serving as an alternate legislator and lieutenant governor. He rose to the rank of governor, but died in Monclova during the cholera epidemic of 1833.
Erasmo Seguín (1782-1857) A native of San Antonio de Béxar, Seguín was accused of supporting the Gutiérrez- Magee Expedition of 1812-1813, and punished with the loss of his postmaster position and personal property. Eventually vindicated, he resumed various civic and political roles in the town, including alcalde in 1820. Neighbors sent him to the convention that worked out the details of the Constitution of 1824. Seguín formed a close political and business alliance with Stephen F. Austin and his colonists. His son was Captain Juan N. Seguín. Martín De León (1865-1833) A native of Tamaulipas, De León relocated to Texas in 1805. He later received an empersario grant to settle Mexicans in the area around Presidio La Bahía and founded the town of Victoria. He feuded with Green DeWitt over the boundaries of their respective colonies. He died in the cholera epidemic of 1833. His son-in-laws included José M. J. Carbajal and Plácido Benavides. José Francisco Ruiz (1783 1840) Ruiz served as one of Béxar s first school masters. His support for the republican revolt of 1811-1813 forced him to flee to Louisiana in order to escape punishment by Spanish officials. Finally allowed to return in 1822, Ruiz then served as the commander of the Alamo Company as well as a city official. During the Texas Revolution, Ruiz represented Béxar at the convention held at Washington-on-the-Brazos and signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.
José Antonio Navarro (1795-1871) Like his uncle, Jóse Francisco Ruiz, young Navarro went into exile following the 1813 Battle of Medina. He supported Stephen F. Austin when Texas was opened to immigration from the United States. During the Texas Revolution, Navarro also represented Béxar at the convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos where he signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. He later served in the Congress of the Republic of Texas and in the Texas Legislature once Texas became a state. Important Mexican Centralists Juan Davis Bradburn (1787 1842) Born in Virginia in 1787, a young John Davis Bradburn joined the revolutionary movement in Mexico as a member of a filibustering expedition. Bradburn served under General Francisco Xavier Mina, a Spanish ex-patriot fighting for Mexico s independence. He was able to escape capture by royalist forces following the defeat of Mina at Guanajuato. Bradburn then served under Vicente Guerrero before defecting to join the royalist forces of Agustin de Iturbide. Iturbide soon changed sides resulting in Mexican independence. Following independence, Bradburn continued to hold the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Mexican Army. General Manuel Mier y Teran ordered Bradburn to Texas with the purpose of establishing a custom house at Anahuac. The centralist law of April 6, 1830, which limited immigration from the United States, put Bradburn at odds with many Anglo colonists. William Barret Travis challenged Bradburn s authority which led to Travis's arrest and Bradburn being forced to face opposition from other colonists. Bradburn was soon relieved of command and he moved to New Orleans before relocating to the area near Matamoros, where he lived until his death in 1842.
Anastasio Bustamante (1780 1853) Anastasio Bustamante was born in the state of Michoacán in 1780. After studying medicine, Bustamante joined the royalist forces fighting against the independence seeking rebels in Mexico. After fighting many years, he joined Agustin de Iturbide and was appointed leader of the internal provinces in Mexico. Bustamante was instrumental in helping Stephen F. Austin receive his empresario contract to colonize Texas. In 1829, Bustamante was serving as vice president under Vicente Guerrero when he led a coup that placed him and his centralist ideals in the presidency. While acting as president, Bustamante passed the law of April 6, 1830 limiting immigration from the United States. In 1831, Bustamante had the federalist hero Vicente Guerrero executed following his capture. Bustamante rose to the presidency two more times in Mexico, among them during the period of the pastry wars against France in 1838. Nicolás Bravo (1786 1854) Destined to be a leader, Nicolás Bravo was born on September 10, 1786 in Chilpancingo. At the outbreak of revolution, he joined the forces of Father José María Morelos along with his father. Upon hearing of his father s death at the siege of Cuautla, Nicolás Bravo, made the decision to execute 300 royalists he had captured but then rescinded the order, freeing the prisoners proving to his men that independence was better than tyranny. Bravo was captured and imprisoned in 1818 and held until 1820 when he was released. Following Iturbide s coronation, Bravo, Vicente Guerrero and Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna forced Iturbide out of office, leading to the establishment of the Constitution of 1824. The election of Guadalupe Victoria as president, placed centralist Nicolas Bravo as the first vice president of Mexico a
position he held until he led a failed coup against Victoria. Upon being released from prison following the unsuccessful coup, Bravo put his support behind Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. Bravo would serve as Mexico s president three times. Manuel Mier y Terán (1789 1832) Manuel Mier y Terán was born in Mexico City in 1789 and joined José María Morelos in the revolt against the Spanish in 1811. Following independence, Mier y Terán served in many positions in the new government leading to an appointment by President Guadalupe Victoria as the leader of a boundary commission in Texas from 1827-1829. The trip to Texas led Mier y Terán to see the possible encroachment of the United States as a threat to Mexico. His report called for more forts in Texas and for settlers to be sought from Europe and Mexico. Mier y Terán's recommendations led to the law of April 6, 1830. Mier y Terán was ordered to help repel the Spanish forced at Tampico in 1829 and following the expulsion was appointed commander of the eastern provinces. As commander of the eastern provinces, Mier y Terán ordered Juan Davis Bradburn into Texas, leading to hostilities between the colonists and the centralist commander. On July 3, 1832, Manuel Mier y Terán depressed over the fate of Texas committed suicide by falling on his sword, in the same town where Agustin Iturbide had been executed. Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794 1876) Born in Jalapa, Vera Cruz in 1794, Antonio López de Santa Anna joined the military at an early age, and participated in the battle of Medina in San Antonio under the command of
royalist commander General Joaquin de Arredondo. His bravery in battle led to his first of many military promotions. As the war for independence continued, Santa Anna changed sides to the insurgent cause once he knew that Spain would not win. This move placed in him a powerful military and political position in the newly independent country. At first he backed General Agustin de Iturbide as emperor, but soon changed his position and was instrumental in his removal. Santa Anna became a champion for federalism by lending support for the Constitution of 1824. Under President Vicente Guerrero, Santa Anna successfully defeated a Spanish attempt at invading Mexico, earning him the title of Victor of Tampico. This victory would soon lead him to the presidency. Santa Anna was elected president of Mexico in 1833, but soon left the office in the hands of his Vice President Valentin Gomez Farias. Farias's liberal reforms forced centralist leaders to action, calling for Santa Anna s return. Upon his return to office, Santa Anna had changed his political views to those of centralism. Under his centralist regime, Mexico entered into a period of civil war, which eventually led to the Texas revolution.