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Texas Day by Day

April 6, 1830


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.

Links to Related Handbook of Texas Online Articles
LAW OF APRIL 6, 1830
TEXAS REVOLUTION
AUSTIN, STEPHEN FULLER
MIER Y TERAN, MANUEL DE
ALAMAN Y ESCALADA, LUCAS
DEWITT'S COLONY
MEXICAN COLONIZATION LAWS
EMPRESARIO

Other Texas Day by Day Articles for This Date
Fair for this half of the world opens in San Antonio (1968)
Fine arts association, Ney Museum founded (1911)


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