Continuing Texas-Mexico Conflict

The Battle of San Jacinto ended the major fighting of the Texas Revolution, and the Treaties of Velasco called for Mexican forces to withdraw from Texas. However, the Mexican government did not recognize the treaties or accept Texas independence.

As a result, tensions between the Republic of Texas and Mexico continued after 1836. In this lesson, you will learn about the conflicts and military actions that followed the Texas Revolution.

Objectives:

• Identify why the Treaties of Velasco were voided by Texas and Mexico
• Describe the relations between the Republic of Texas and Mexico during the presidencies of Sam Houston and Mirabeau Lamar
• Explain how the international community viewed the Republic of Texas

Map of the Republic of Texas, Indicating a Settler’s Property

The public Treaty of Velasco included several terms intended to end the immediate fighting between Texas and Mexico:

• Fighting between Texan and Mexican forces would stop.
• Santa Anna agreed not to take up arms against Texas during the current war.
• Mexican troops would withdraw from Texas and move beyond the Rio Grande.
• Texan and Mexican prisoners would be exchanged.
• Property taken by Mexican forces would be returned.
• Santa Anna would eventually be returned to Mexico.

The agreements did not end the disagreement over Texas independence. The Mexican government rejected the treaties because Santa Anna had signed them while he was a prisoner and continued to consider Texas part of Mexico.

Many Texans also opposed parts of the agreements. Some were angry that the government planned to release Santa Anna because they held him responsible for the deaths at the Alamo and Goliad.

In June 1836, Santa Anna was placed aboard the Texas Navy ship Invincible to be taken to Veracruz, Mexico. Before the ship could leave, volunteers led by General Thomas Jefferson Green prevented it from sailing. Santa Anna remained a prisoner in Texas for several more months.

What do you think happened next? Write a prediction based on what you know about the disagreement over Santa Anna’s release and the Treaties of Velasco.