Unpopular Immigration Law

[Craig Tx]

From the Texas State Historical Association

Mexican immigration law offends Anglo-Texans

On this day in 1830, the Mexican government passed a law that helped foment the Texas Revolution. The law is said to be analogous to the Stamp Act, which encouraged the American Revolution. Among its provisions, it forbade the further introduction of slaves into Mexico, and apparently was intended to suspend existing empresario contracts. Article 11, the most inflammatory part, was intended to prohibit or limit immigration from the United States. Texas colonists were greatly disturbed by news of the law. Although Stephen F. Austin secured exemption from the operation of the law for his contract and for that of Green DeWitt, the measure shook his belief in the good will of the Mexican government. Enforcement of the law resulted directly in the Anahuac Disturbances of 1832 and indirectly in the battle of Velasco, the conventions of 1832 and 1833, and the accumulation of grievances that helped lead to the revolution.


Craig

[Bigsmoke]

Isn't that something when viewed from today's viewpoint.  Very interesting.

[Craig Tx]

The requirements for immigration is interesting through today's eyes as well...

'In accordance with the national decree of August 18, 1824, the Legislature of Coahuila and Texas on March 24, 1825 passed its colonization law. As has been said, the state invited foreigners to make their homes on its unoccupied lands. All colonists bad to "prove their Christianity, morality, and good habits by a certificate from the authorities where they formerly resided." No commissioner could issue titles to land for a colonist until he received a written statement from the empresario approving the petition of the settler for land and thereby declaring his character satisfactory. The empresario, in most cases, accepted the certificate from the authorities of the immigrant's past place of residence as satisfactory evidence of moral character. The state colonization law granted to each married man who wanted to farm one labor, an equivalent of 177 acres. If he also desired to raise cattle, he could obtain twenty-four labors of pasture land or 4,251 acres. The total of farming and pastureland made one sitio or league, consisting of 4,428 acres. An unmarried man received one-fourth of this amount. If the colonist's occupation or capital was such that it would benefit the colony, he could obtain additional land.' (From Empresario Contracts in Colonization of Texas)

And by prove their Christianity they mean be Catholic, or convert to Catholicism.

Craig

[snake eyes]

The requirements for immigration is interesting through today's eyes as well...
And by prove their Christianity they mean be Catholic, or convert to Catholicism.

Craig

Not exactly what you would call, "separation of church and state".Was it??
snake-eyes  

[Craig Tx]

Nope...  However, that being said the Mexican Constitution of 1824 was based somewhat on the U.S. Constitution.

It was this Constitution that Santa Anna revoked that brought the colonists, and many "liberal" Tejanos to rebellion.  In fact, the Texas Revolution was originally to restore the Constitution of 1824, and to make Texas and Coahuila into separate states.