Event #6 - Turtle Bayou Resolutions

After the small skirmish broke out at Anahuac, colonists retreated and set up camp at a spot between Liberty and Anahuac known as Turtle Bayou. They sent John Austin to retrieve cannons from the town of Brazoria. Those who stayed drafted a list of resolutions, or statements of a group's opinions. This happened on June 13, 1832.

In these resolutions, the colonists declared that the events at Anahuac were not rebellion against Mexico. They stated that the people were defending their rights and the constitution. They claimed they supported Santa Anna, who was leading a democratic revolt to overthrow President Anastacio Bustamente in Mexico. They also strongly supported the Constitution of 1824 which was a plan of government that favored democracy and local self-government.

Significance: Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna had promised to support the Constitution of 1824. The Turtle Bayou Resolutions helped the settlers align with the Federalist cause. The Resolutions showed that the settlers supported Santa Anna as a Federalist because that was supposed to be his policy.

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