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Colonization Laws
Mexico passes the General Colonization Law, formally opening Texas
to colonization. Presenting empresario grants to individuals, the hope is
to encourage settlement and economic growth in the remote Mexican
land of Texas. -
Mexican Constitution of 1824
The Mexican government adopts the Constitution of 1824. Based on
the United States constitution, Texians are, for the most part, in favor of
the document. Texas and Coahuila are joined as a single Mexican state. -
Manuel de Mier y Teran
Mier y Teran is sent on a fact-finding mission to Texas by the Mexican
government. Because of U.S. interest in Texas and the large number of
Anglo settlers flowing into Mexico, the government is anxious to assess
the situation. -
Mexcan Soldier
In response to Mier y Teran's report, the Mexican government enacts
the Law of April 6th. This law prohibits the immigration of any more
Americans into Texas, places taxes on goods coming into Texas from
the U.S., prohibits slaves from entering Texas from the U.S., and
deploys Mexican troops for permanent duty station in Texas. -
President Bustamante
In June, Anglo-American settlers rebel against the Bustamente
government and its violations of the Mexican Constitution of 1824.
They adopt the Turtle Bayou Resolutions, pledging support for the
constitution and urge all Texians to support the patriots fighting under
Santa Anna to defeat military despotism. -
President Santa Anna
Santa Anna becomes dictator of Mexico, replacing the Federalist
government with a Centralist government and disregards the
Constitution of 1824. -
Stephen F. Agustin
Stephen F. Austin is arrested and imprisoned in Mexico City. Though
accused of trying to incite insurrection in Texas, no charges are made
against him, no court will accept jurisdiction of his case, and he
remains a prisoner, shifting from prison to prison, from January until
December 1834, when he is released on bond. -
William Fairfax Gray, Courtesy of Christ Church Cathedral, Houston, Texas
William Fairfax Gray, a Virginia land agent who traveled to Texas in
1836 searching for land deals, recorded some of Texas' most historic
moments in a diary. His daily entries give a look into the tension and
turmoil he witnessed at the Convention of 1836. On this day, he writes,
"A warm day, threatening rain from the south. Many other members are
coming in, and it is now evident that a quorum will be formed
tomorrow." -
Burl Courtney, n.d.: Dawn of the Signing
The Fourth Convention is held at Washington-on-the-Brazos. It will
declare independence, write a constitution for the new Republic, and
elect an ad-interim government that controls Texas until regular
elections can be held in the fall.
"Notwithstanding the cold, the members of the Convention,...met today
in an unfinished house, without doors or windows. In lieu of glass,
cotton cloth was stretched across the windows, which partially
excluded the cold wind."
—William Fairfax Gray -
George Childress; Courtesy of the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
"Mr. Childers, from the committee, reported a Declaration of
Independence, which he read in his place. It was received by the
house...and unanimously adopted, in less than one hour from its first
and only reading."
—William Fairfax Gray