Slavery and the TexasRevolutionSilas Allen

Stephen F Austin

Brand, 1820s-30s

Unknown, ~1836

November 3, 1793- December 27, 1836

• Was responsible for bringing the initial American colonists, his “Old Three Hundred,” to the Mexican border region known as Coahuila y Tejas

• Supporter of slavery in Texas

• 1835, "The best interests of the United States require that Texas shall be effectually, and fully, Americanized. . . Texas must be a slave country. It is no longer a matter of doubt."

Slavery in Coahuila y Tejas

• Slavery quickly took foothold in Texas, colonists able to buy 80 extra acres per slave

• Coahuila y Texas Immigration Law of 1824, Article 46 states: "As regards to the introduction of slaves, the new settlers shall obey the laws already established, and which here after may be established on the subject.“

• Number of slaves:1829- 4431834- 2,0001836- 5,000

1833

Mexican Abolition

• Mexico ratified first constitution in 1834; explicitly banned slave trade• Not enforced by authorities in Coahuila y

Tejas

• 1824 constitution of Coahuila y Tejas allowed slave importation for 6 months

• Mexico officially abolished slavery in all states in 1829; extension until 1830 for Coahuila y Tejas due to outcry

• To fight further abolition, Coahuila y Tejas legalized contracts in other countries; Texan slaves reclassified as “indentured servants”; children to serve parents contracts on death

King Cotton

• Colonists believed their colony depended on cotton for survival

• Texas lands known to be good for cotton by Southerners; cotton established by first colonists

• Plantation cotton system only profitable by using slave labor

America Wants Texas

• From 1825 to 1829, First Minister to Mexico of the United States attempted to treat for the region

• Mexico more interested in developing its presence

• American persistence scared Mexico• Article 7 of the Coahuila y Texas

Immigration Law of 1824 expressly forbid the establishment of colonial settlements within 20 leagues, or about 60 miles, from the United States border.

America Really, Really Wants Texas

• Land speculators spread news of value of Texas lands before the Revolution

• Prospect of Revolution and independence made previously wary investors willing to buy lands

• Andrew Jackson: “the way to obtain a territory was to occupy it, and after having possession, treat for it, as was done in Florida.”

• Texas seen as way to lean power to slave states as well as follow Manifest Destiny; vast outcry from North

Emboldened Texans

• Knowing they had Southern support, they felt more comfortable rebelling

• As the Mexican Army made its way north to ensure slaves were freed, Texans used it as evidence of hostile Mexican government