Event #5 - Conflict at Anahuac

Colonel Juan Davis Bradburn arrived in Texas in the fall of 1830 to enforce the law of April 6. His troops built a fort at the mouth of the Trinity River on Galveston Bay near an important trade route and immigration point. This settlement became known as Anahuac. Bradburn's job was enforce the new trade and immigration laws and to collect customs duties. William B. Travis was upset about the new policies put in place by Colonel Bradburn (originally from Virginia) in the spring of 1832. Colonists felt that Bradburn’s men were stealing supplies and Bradburn was using colonists' slaves without paying for them, and hiding runaway slaves, as well as enforcing the customs duties.

Bradburn tries to collect on all goods as far away as Brazos River. There was no tax collector at the Brazos, so captains had to dock at the mouth and travel up to Anahuac to pay the duties. This caused many to be angry and bypass (go around) the tax collector all together. This results in gun fire on multiple occasions as captains went upriver without paying their taxes.

Travis opposes policies of Mexican army Colonel Bradburn. Bradburn arrests two lawyers he felt were spreading rumors. These lawyers were William B. Travis and Patrick Jack. Bradburn claimed they had interfered with his efforts to enforce laws in Anahuac.

Two different groups of angry settlers, totaling 200 men, marched to Anahuac. A small skirmish happened. Some Mexican soldiers were captured in an attempt to trade for Travis and Jack. Bradburn agreed to exchange prisoners if Texans retreated. Some did not, so Bradburn did not release Travis and Jack. Bradburn calls for reinforcements. Now, Texans are beginning to fight against Mexican policies.

Soon after the fight at Anahuac, Mexico Colonel Jose de las Piedras arrives from Nacogdoches. He blamed Bradburn for the conflict and recommended removing him from his post. Bradburn resigns. Piedras also agreed to release Travis, Jack and other prisoners. The settlers felt the threat to their freedoms was removed.

Unaware that the conflict was over, John Austin's group loaded their cannon onto a ship in Brazoria. They soon reached Velasco near the mouth of the Brazos River. Colonel Ugartechea, commander of the Mexican troops there, refuses to let them pass. Fighting breaks out but after three days the Mexicans run out of ammunition and had to surrender. The colonists had won the Battle of Velasco. After the battle, the Texas continued on to Anahuac to find that the conflict had ended.

Resistance to central Mexican authority grew stronger in Texas every day. At the same time, most of the Mexican troops left the region. They went to take sides in the civil war between Santa Anna and President Bustamante. Texans anxiously waited for news from Mexico City. They hoped Santa Anna would win the fighting and restore the Constitution of 1824.

Significance: People begin fighting against Mexican policies they feel are unjust and unfair.