Were Texian colonists
justified in their grievances toward the Mexican Government,
or were they just "Ugly Americans" exerting their philosophy of "Eminent Domain"?
August 1999
Were Texian colonists
justified in their grievances toward the Mexican Government,
or were they just "Ugly Americans" exerting their philosophy of "Eminent Domain"?
August 1999
The most concise answer to this issue by an Alamo Defender and casualty to my knowledge was one time commander James Bowie. Presumably he felt these reasons were sufficient justification to die in the cause. Did other Alamo Defenders, particularly the ones that get the most credit and "press" e.g.Travis and Crockett, express such an opinion on why they were there?
From pg. 39, Bits and Pieces of Texas History in the Melting Pot of America, by José Tomás Canales:
The causes which led to the Texas Revolution of 1835-6, as briefly stated
by Col. James Bowie, are as follows:
1. Jealousy of Mexicans regarding the intentions of the people of the United States, and a belief that, a design to despoil Mexico of Texas was contemplated, and had the secret aid of the American government.2. The feelings engendered by these opinions caused Mexican officials to look upon the actions of the American residents of Texas, with suspicion,and ended in treating them unjustly and oppressively.
3. The interference in the political affairs of the Texans; the quartering of troops upon private families; the overthrow of the Mexican constitution of 1824, which the citizens of Texas had sworn to support; and the establishment of a centralized military despotism in its stead, and the attempt to invade, disarm, and reduce the Texans into subjection to the will of a tyrant,were causes impelling the colonists to resist the execution of measures which would have made them political slaves.