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.
