Event #8 - Stephen F. Austin is Arrested
Stephen F. Austin left Texas in April 1833. He arrives in Mexico City with the resolutions from the convention of 1833. He is hopeful that the Mexican government will grant the Texans’ requests. Austin grew impatient waiting for Santa Anna. He wrote a letter to San Antonio and told them about the difficulties he faced waiting for Santa Anna and he encouraged Texans to go ahead with forming a state government without official approval. Santa Anna finally returns to Mexico City and meets with Austin regarding the resolutions.
Santa Anna agrees to all of Austin’s terms except that Texas should be a separate state. Austin leaves the capital to return home to Texas. When he reaches Saltillo, he finds out his letter had been intercepted and read by the Vice President of Mexico, who accused Austin of treason. The VP thought Austin was committing an act of rebellion by trying to form a new state government without permission. He was arrested for treason.
Austin is ordered to be arrested and is sent back to Mexico City, where he remains in prison for a year. Austin writes several letters home to family and friends describing his experience. By the time Austin is released and makes his way back home, it had been 2 ½ years. Austin felt that working with the Mexican government was no longer an option.
Significance: Santa Anna accepted most of the resolutions but denied Texas becoming a Mexican state.