Early Texas Leaders and Their Conflicts with Mexican Authority

During the Mexican Texas period (1821–1836), key leaders clashed with Mexico City over autonomy, slavery, immigration, and centralism.

Sam Houston

• Refused to enforce Mexican laws he deemed unjust (e.g., anti-slavery decrees).
• Advocated separate statehood within Mexico, then independence.
• His diplomatic overtures to U.S. alarmed Mexican authorities.

Lorenzo de Zavala

• Former Mexican liberal politician; became fierce critic of Santa Anna's centralist coup.
• Signed Texas Declaration of Independence; designed ad interim government.
• Accused of treason by Mexico; became first Vice President of Republic of Texas.

Stephen F. Austin

• Empresario who brought 300 families (Old Three Hundred) under 1821 colonization law.
• Initially loyal; negotiated with Mexico City for concessions.
• Arrested 1834 for letter advocating separate statehood; imprisoned 18 months.
• Returned radicalized; commanded volunteers in Revolution.

Juan Nepomuceno Almonte

• Mexican special commissioner (1834) sent to inspect Texas.
• Report warned of Anglo demographic dominance, slaveholding, disloyalty.
• Recommended military occupation, stricter enforcement — inflaming colonists.
• Later served Santa Anna; captured at San Jacinto.

Core Tensions

• Slavery: Mexico abolished it (1829); Texans evaded.
• Centralism vs. Federalism: Santa Anna's 1835 Constitution abolished states.
• Immigration: Law of April 6, 1830 banned U.S. settlers; ignored.

These leaders' actions — both resistance and provocation — propelled Texas toward revolution.