Chapter 27: The Republic of Texas Is Already a Toehold in Mexico

The Mexican province of Tejas has been in America’s sights going all the way back to Aaron Burr’s treasonous incursion there in 1807.

Then comes 1820 when the Spanish government grants a parcel of land to one Moses Austin who arrives there with 300 settlers and their slaves. By 1825 the 1,790 Americans and their 443 captive blacks outnumber the locals.

Over the next decade even more settlers pour into Tejas, which leads the newly independent Mexican government to use force to recapture their land. Two savage massacres by General Santa Anna occur in 1836 – one at the Alamo Mission, the other at the town of Goliad. But then the American militia, under Sam Houston, rallies with a decisive victory at the Battle of San Jacinto.

This win results in the birth of the Republic of Texas, with slavery sanctioned in violation of Mexican law. Almost immediately the Texians start to lobby for admission to the Union, but the move is deflected by President Andrew Jackson and others who fear that annexation will lead to war with Mexico and more regional conflict over slavery.