US History

Expansion and Reform (1801-1861)

Law and Government

This collection uses primary sources to explore the Texas Revolution.

A transcript of an 1826 letter to Stephen Austin regarding 500 Louisiana families wishing to settle in Texas.

Stephen Austin organized the first major settlements of American colonists in the Mexican province of Texas. Stephen’s father, Moses Austin, spearheaded the initial efforts to establish an American colony in Texas by securing a land grant and permission to settle 300 families in Texas in 1820, but died before the project was complete. Stephen Austin took over and began settling Americans in Texas in 1822. As the leader of the colony, Austin served as an intermediary between the colonists and the Mexican government.

A land deed granted to Robert Moulton by the Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company, 1830. 

The Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company was established in New York in 1830 as a collaboration between several large land grant owners in Texas, or *empresarios*, and American investors. The company encouraged settlement of Americans and Europeans by selling land there at a lower rate than what was available in the United States.


An 1835 map of Texas, showing major land grants and Native American territories. 

Land grant holders David Burnet, Lorenzo de Zavala, and Joseph Vehlein were collaborators in the Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company. “Stephen Austin’s Colony” is also delineated on the map along with additional land grants to Austin and others.


A transcript of an announcement recruiting volunteers in Georgia to support the Texas Revolution, November 12, 1835. 

An excerpt from *The War in Texas*, a 1836 treatise written by Benjamin Lundy against the pro-slavery implications of the Texas Revolution. 

The abolitionist Benjamin Lundy was the editor of an anti-slavery newspaper, *The Genius of Universal Emancipation*, and a mentor to William Lloyd Garrison.

A transcript of a letter from the provisional government of Texas to the Mexican people, December 11, 1835.

An 1881 print depicting the Alamo, site of a pivotal confrontation between the Texian militia and the Mexican army in 1836.

Nearly two hundred Texians were in the Alamo, a former Spanish Catholic mission, while the Mexican army under the command of General Antonio López de Santa Anna staged a thirteen-day siege in February and March 1836. On March 6, the army attacked the fort directly, ultimately killing all of the Texian fighters inside. A small group of women, children, and non-combatants survived. Although it was a military defeat for the Texians, the incident at the Alamo provided motivation for remaining Texian revolutionaries and other Americans who came to support the rebellion. 

A portrait of Sam Houston, commander of the Texas army during the Revolution and first President of the Republic of Texas, ca. 1859. 

Sam Houston was born in Virginia but lived among the Cherokee population of Tennessee as a young man and served as governor of Tennessee before leaving the state to move to Arkansas and later Texas. Houston became the commander of the Texas army during the Revolution, leading the army during the victorious Battle of San Jacinto. Following the Revolution, Houston was elected as the first President of the Republic of Texas, during which time he advocated for Texas’ admission to the United States as a state. After Texas was admitted, Houston served as governor of the state, but resigned in 1861 because he refused to recognize the state’s secession from the United States and swear allegiance to the Confederacy.

An 1892 print depicting the surrender of Santa Anna after the Battle of San Jacinto, which marked the end of the Texas Revolution.

The Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836 was a decisive victory for the Texian army, commanded by Sam Houston, over the Mexican army, commanded by Antonio López de Santa Anna. 

The Treaty of Velasco, negotiated between Sam Houston and Santa Anna, 1836.

Transcript:

Articles of an agreement entered into, between His Excellency David G. Burnet, President of the Republic of Texas, of the one part, and His Excellency General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, President General in Chief of the Mexican Army, of the other part.

Article 1st 
General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna agrees that he will not take up arms, nor will he exercise his influence to cause them to be taken up against the people of Texas, during the present war of Independence.

Article 2nd 
All hostilities between the Mexican and Texian troops will cease immediately both on land and water.

Article 3rd 
The Mexican troops will evacuate the Territory of Texas, passing to the other side of the Rio Grande del Norte.

4th 
The Mexican Army in its retreat shall not take the property of any person without his consent and just indemnification, using only such articles as may be necessary for its subsistence, in cases when the owner may not be present, and remitting to the commander of the army of Texas or to the commissioner to be appointed for the adjustment of such matters, an account of the value of the property consumed—the place where taken, and the name of the owner, if it can be ascertained.

5th 
That all private property including cattle, horses, negro slaves or indentured persons of whatever denomination, that may have been captured by any portion of the mexican army or may have taken refuge in the said army since the commencement of the late invasion, shall be restored to the Commander of the Texian army, or to such other persons as may be appointed by the Government of Texas to receive them.

6th 
The troops of both armies will refrain from coming into contact with each other, and to this end the Commander of the army of Texas will be careful not to approach within a shorter distance of the mexican army than five leagues.

7th 
The Mexican army shall not make any other delay on its march, than that which is necessary to take up their hospitals, baggage [---] and to cross the rivers—any delay not necessary to these purposes to be considered an infraction of this agreement.

8th 
By express to be immediately dispatched, this agreement shall be sent to General Filisola and to General T. J. Rusk, commander of the texian Army, in order that they may be apprised of its stipulations, and to this and they will exchange engagements to comply with the same.

9th 
That all Texian prisoners now in possession of the mexican Army or its authorities be forthwith released and furnished with free passports to return to their homes, in consideration of which a corresponding number of Mexican prisoners, rank and file, now in possession of the Government of Texas shall be immediately released. The remainder of the mexican prisoners that continue in possession of the Government of Texas to be treated with due humanity—any extraordinary comforts that may be furnished them to be at the charge of the Government of Mexico.

10th 
General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna will be sent to Veracruz as soon as it shall be deemed proper.

The contracting parties sign this Instrument for the above mentioned purposes, by duplicate, at the Port of Velasco this fourteenth day of May 1836.

[Signed by] 
David G Burnet 
Ant. Lopez de Santa Anna 
Jas Collinsworth, Sec of State 
Bailey Hardeman, Secy of Treasury 
T W Grayson, Atty General

An excerpt from a copy of the Constitution of the Republic of Texas, transcribed by Henry S. Kimble, March 1836. 

Translation:

CONSTITUTION 
OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF TEXAS. 
We, the People of Texas, in order to form a Government, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence and general welfare; and to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves, and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

SECTION 1. The powers of this Government shall be divided into three departments, viz: Legislative, Executive and Judicial, which shall remain forever separate and distinct. 
SEC. 2. The Legislative power shall be vested in a Senate and House of Representatives, to be styled the Congress of the Republic of Texas. 
SEC. 3. The members of the House of Representatives shall be chosen annually, on the first Monday of September each year, until Congress shall otherwise provide by law, and shall hold their offices one year from the date of their election. 
SEC. 4. No person shall be eligible to a seat in the House of Representatives until he shall have attained the age of twenty-five years, shall be a citizen of the Republic, and shall have resided in the county or district six months next preceding his election. 
SEC. 5. The House of Representatives shall not consist of less than twenty-four, nor more than forty members, until the population shall amount to one hundred thousand souls, after which time the whole number of Representatives shall not be less than forty, nor more than one hundred: Provided, however, that each county shall be entitled to at least one Representative. 
SEC. 6. The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment. 
SEC. 7. The Senators shall be chosen by districts, as nearly equal in free population (free negroes and Indians excepted,) as practicable; and the number of Senators shall never be less than one third nor more than one half the number of Representatives, and each district shall be entitled to one member and no more. 
SEC. 8. The Senators shall be chosen for the term of three years, on the first Monday in September; shall be citizens of the Republic, reside in the district for which they are respectively chosen at least one year before the election; and shall have attained the age of thirty years. 
SEC. 9. At the first session of Congress after the adoption of this Constitution, the Senators shall be divided by lot into three classes, as nearly equal as practicable; the seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the end of the first year; of the second class, at the end of the second year; the third class, at the end of the third year, in such a manner that one third shall be chosen each year thereafter. 
SEC. 10. The Vice President of the Republic shall be President of the Senate, but shall not vote on any question, unless the Senate be equally divided. 
SEC. 11. The Senate shall choose all other officers of their body, and a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or whenever he shall exercise the office of President; shall have the sole power to try impeachments, and when sitting as a court of impeachment, shall be under oath; but no conviction shall take place without the concurrence of two thirds of all the members present. 
SEC. 12. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall only extend to removal from office, and disqualification to hold any office of honor, trust or profit under this Government; but the party shall nevertheless be liable to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment according to law. 
SEC. 13. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, qualifications and returns of its own members. Two thirds of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel the attendance of absent members. 
SEC. 14. Each House may determine the rules of its own proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and with the concurrence of two thirds, may expel a member, but not a second time for the same offence. 
SEC. 15. Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be fixed by law, but no increase of compensation, or diminution, shall take effect during the session at which such increase or diminution shall have been made. They shall, except in case of treason, felony, or breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during the session of Congress, and in going to and returning from same; and for any speech or debate in either House they shall not be questioned in any other place.

A piece of sheet music, “Texian Grand March,” dedicated to Sam Houston, 1836.

A map of the United States and Republic of Texas including railways and canals, ca. 1836-1845. 

A one dollar bill from the Republic of Texas, 1841.

Questions

1. Using the [land grant map](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/texas-revolution/sources/1173), the [letter to Stephen Austin](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/texas-revolution/sources/1171), and the [Galveston Land Company deed](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/texas-revolution/sources/1172), what can you infer about the reasons that Americans sought out a colony in Mexico? What kinds of American settlers do you think would be attracted to the opportunity to move to a new colony outside the United States?
2. Compare the [announcement](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/texas-revolution/sources/1174) about supporting Texians in revolution and [*The War in Texas*](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/texas-revolution/sources/1175). How does each source frame the motivations of the Texian settlers?
3. In the [letter to the Mexican people](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/texas-revolution/sources/1176), how did the Texians perceive Mexico’s centralist government? What do they define as their cause, or the purpose for their revolution? How do they see themselves in relation to Native Americans? Why do you think they invited “patriotic Mexicans” to join them in the revolution?
4. Using the [Constitution of the Republic of Texas](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/texas-revolution/sources/1181), the [letter to the Mexican people](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/texas-revolution/sources/1176), and the [recruitment announcement](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/texas-revolution/sources/1174), explain some ways in which the Texas Revolution reflected central questions of American history.


Activity

Conduct a class debate. Using the primary sources provided, assign one half of the class to argue for and the other half against the following statement: *The American colonists who moved to Texas settled with the intention of eventually forming their own political entity.* Students assigned to each argument should work together to identify evidence from the primary sources to support their claim, craft convincing arguments, and anticipate counterarguments from the other team. In the debate, invite each side to make an opening statement of no more than two minutes, to be followed by a round of rebuttals. Following the debate, lead a class discussion evaluating the implications of each team’s historical argument. How did the ideology and beliefs of the settlers influence the Revolution? Why did the Mexican government allow so many Americans to move in, settle, and acquire huge swaths of land? What were the main events contributing to the outbreak of Revolution? 


Teaching Guide: Exploring the Texas Revolution

Resources

1. [*Texas 175: A Dozen Documents that Made a Difference*](https://www.tsl.texas.gov/exhibits/texas175/index.html), Texas State Library and Archives Commission. 
2. [Texas Revolution](http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=2&psid=3260), Digital History. 
3. [Texas History Timeline](http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/discover/texas-history-timeline), Bullock Texas State History Museum. 
4. “The Road to Independence” [Exhibit and Educator Guide](http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/upload/files/tg-chap6.pdf), Bullock Texas State History Museum. 
5. “[Remembering the Alamo](http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/remembering-the-alamo-101880149/?no-ist),” *Smithsonian* magazine. 

Overview

Between October 1835 and April 1836, a group of mostly American-born residents of the Mexican province of Texas rebelled against the government of Mexico and ultimately declared Texas to be an independent republic. As Texian discontent and rebellion took root in the fall of 1835, Mexico’s experienced military commander, Antonio López de Santa Anna, led a Mexican army of several thousand troops to Texas to quell the resistance. In a series of minor battles and standoffs, a relatively small band of several hundred Texian militia members took on segments of the Mexican army, with little military success. In February of 1836, as the Mexican army approached, the Texian militia took over the Alamo, an abandoned Spanish mission in present-day San Antonio, where they defended themselves against the army’s siege. Ultimately, the vastly outnumbered Texians were defeated and nearly everyone inside the Alamo was killed. 

Meanwhile, Texas leaders gathered to discuss their goals and demands. They wanted autonomy over the province of Texas, but at first did not insist on independence from Mexico. By March of 1836, however, the Texas convention members adopted a Declaration of Independence and established a Constitution for the Republic of Texas. The Texian army, led by Sam Houston, met the Mexican army in a decisive victory at the Battle of San Jacinto in April of 1836. The Republic of Texas adopted a government based on that of the United States, but with decisive policies protecting the institution of slavery, discriminating against *tejanos*, or Mexican-born settlers, who had not supported the rebellion, and limiting the legal rights of women.


English

Texas Revolution

texas-revolution_08_589008023171866d5f434fa034f35e3f.jpg

Courtesy of National Portrait Gallery via Smithsonian Institution.

McClees, James Earle and Julian Vannerson, “Samuel Houston,” Digital Public Library of America, https://dp.la/item/589008023171866d5f434fa034f35e3f.

A portrait of Sam Houston, commander of the Texas army during the Revolution and first President of the Republic of Texas, ca. 1859.

Cite this item

Tips for Students

Item 8 of 14 in the Primary Source Set Texas Revolution