Law of April 6, 1830
Encyclopedia
The Law of April 6, 1830 was passed in Mexico
to counter concerns that Mexican Texas
, part of the border state of Coahuila y Texas was in danger of being annexed by the United States
.
. Both times, the president of Mexico
Guadalupe Victoria
, declined to sell part of the border state. After the failed Fredonian Rebellion in east Texas, the Mexican government asked General Manuel Mier y Teran to investigate the outcome of the 1824 General Colonization Law in Texas. In 1829, Mier y Teran issued his report, which concluded that most Anglo Americans tried to isolate themselves from Mexicans. He also noted that slave reforms passed by the state were being ignored.
Almost all of Mier y Teran's recommendations were adopted in a series of laws passed on April 6, 1830 under President Anastasio Bustamante
. The law explicitly banned any further immigration from the United States to Texas. Settlement contracts were brought under federal rather than state control, and colonies that did not have at least 150 inhabitants would be canceled. Provisions of the law were designed to encourage Mexican citizens to move from the interior to Texas. Mexicans who agreed to relocate to Texas would get good land, free transportation to Texas, and some financial assistance. Convicts would be sent to Texas to build fortifications and roads to stimulate trade.
Other parts of the law were targeted at those already living in Texas. Among the provisions was an order for Texas to comply with the emancipation proclamation or face military intervention. Bustamante rescinded the property tax law, which had exempted immigrants from paying taxes for ten years. He further increased tariffs on goods entering Mexico from the United States, causing their prices to rise.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
to counter concerns that Mexican Texas
Mexican Texas
Mexican Texas is the name given by Texas history scholars to the period between 1821 and 1836, when Texas was an integral part of Mexico. The period began with Mexico's victory over Spain in its war of independence in 1821. For the first several years of its existence, Mexican Texas operated very...
, part of the border state of Coahuila y Texas was in danger of being annexed by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Background
In 1827 and 1829, the United States offered to purchase Mexican TexasMexican Texas
Mexican Texas is the name given by Texas history scholars to the period between 1821 and 1836, when Texas was an integral part of Mexico. The period began with Mexico's victory over Spain in its war of independence in 1821. For the first several years of its existence, Mexican Texas operated very...
. Both times, the president of Mexico
President of Mexico
The President of the United Mexican States is the head of state and government of Mexico. Under the Constitution, the president is also the Supreme Commander of the Mexican armed forces...
Guadalupe Victoria
Guadalupe Victoria
Guadalupe Victoria born José Miguel Ramón Adaucto Fernández y Félix, was a Mexican politician and military man who fought for independence against the Spanish Empire in the Mexican War of Independence. He was a deputy for Durango and a member of the Supreme Executive Power...
, declined to sell part of the border state. After the failed Fredonian Rebellion in east Texas, the Mexican government asked General Manuel Mier y Teran to investigate the outcome of the 1824 General Colonization Law in Texas. In 1829, Mier y Teran issued his report, which concluded that most Anglo Americans tried to isolate themselves from Mexicans. He also noted that slave reforms passed by the state were being ignored.
Almost all of Mier y Teran's recommendations were adopted in a series of laws passed on April 6, 1830 under President Anastasio Bustamante
Anastasio Bustamante
Anastasio Bustamante y Oseguera was president of Mexico three times, from 1830 to 1832, from 1837 to 1839 and from 1839 to 1841. He was a Conservative. He first came to power by leading a coup against president Vicente Guerrero...
. The law explicitly banned any further immigration from the United States to Texas. Settlement contracts were brought under federal rather than state control, and colonies that did not have at least 150 inhabitants would be canceled. Provisions of the law were designed to encourage Mexican citizens to move from the interior to Texas. Mexicans who agreed to relocate to Texas would get good land, free transportation to Texas, and some financial assistance. Convicts would be sent to Texas to build fortifications and roads to stimulate trade.
Other parts of the law were targeted at those already living in Texas. Among the provisions was an order for Texas to comply with the emancipation proclamation or face military intervention. Bustamante rescinded the property tax law, which had exempted immigrants from paying taxes for ten years. He further increased tariffs on goods entering Mexico from the United States, causing their prices to rise.