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The Alamo Messenger
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Much of the early scholarship on the Mexican Wars of Independence claimed that very little of the revolution in Mexico took place in Texas. However, there were a number of important events - particularly early on in the revolution - that took place in this northern province of Mexico that had a profound impact on the war between Spanish royalists and Mexican republicans. This month's Alamo Messenger explores these events. In particular, we focus on Father Hidalgo's Grito de Dolores that started the revolution, the 1811 Las Casas Revolt in San Antonio de Bexar, the Gutierrez-Magee expedition of 1812 - 1813, and the Battle of Medina in 1813. We hope you enjoy reading about the part Texas played in this important chapter in North American history.
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Mexico in 1810: Hidalgo's Revolt
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Mexico had been under Spanish control for nearly three hundred years when revolution erupted in 1810. Although the military initially won the region for the Spanish, it was the social, religious, and economic institutions and customs imposed on its people that kept it tied to the Spanish crown. The question of independence mattered because, on one hand, it threatened to upset the long held status quo. On the other hand, a break from Spain meant an opportunity for change. In reality, the outcome of revolution would determine who would shape Mexican society as the 18th century came to and end a new century dawned. Keep Reading 
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These leather framed eye-glasses once belonged to Domingo Bust illo, a prominent military and political figure of San Fernando de Béjar. Bustillo served as a second lieutenant in the Royal army during the struggle for Mexican Independence. His role as a political leader would continue for the rest of his life. This artifact is part of the Alamo Collection and is on display in the Long Barrack Museum
Photo and text by Ernesto Rodriguez, III, Alamo Associate Curator.
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San Antonio in 1811: The Las Casas Revolt
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As with the Texas Revolution of 1835 - 1836, during the Mexican Wars of Independence the citizens of Texas were divided in their feelings about revolution. During this tumultuous period, prominent Texans were divided between loyalty to the Spanish crown and the Mexican rebels. This was especially apparent during the Las Casas revolt of 1811 and the ensuing counter-revolution in San Antonio de Bexar. During this period the same Tejanos that would have to choose sides in the 1830s - the Veramendi, Navarro, Seguin, Menchaca, Musquiz, and other families - similarly had to decide whether or not to support revolution. Keep Reading
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Spanish Trade in North America
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Spain, like other European powers, followed the economic philosophy of mercantilism, which held that the purpose of the colony was to make the mother country stronger and self-sufficient. The mercantilist laws that governed New Spain limited the growth of the towns and also limited or prohibited the manufacture of goods that were available in Spain. By restricting manufacturing in the colonies, the Crown protected its own interests at home and facilitated tax collection in the process. Keep Reading
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Texas in 1812 - 1813: Gutierrez-Magee & the Battle of Medina
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FILIBUSTERING IN TEXAS
The Gutierrez-Magee expedition of 1812 - 1813 is considered a filibustering expedition. Throughout the 1800s there were a number of filibustering expeditions from the United States into Texas. Read on for a timeline of these expeditions
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EDUCATORS' CORNER
This curriculum and map from the Alamo's publication Mapping Texas History gives an overview of the Gutierrez-Magee expedition and traces the route of this filibustering expedition. Go to Lesson
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In Their Own Words: Joaquin de Arredondo
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José Joaquín de Arredondo y Mioño was born in Barcelona, Spain in 1776. He joined the Royal Spanish Guard in 1787 and was subsequently dispatched to New Spain. Arredondo remained loyal to the royal army after revolution broke out in New Spain. In 1813, Arredondo participated in the capture of Father Miguel Hidalgo. Arredondo was thus promoted to commandant of the eastern division of the Provincias Internas - territory which included Coahuila, Texas, Nuevo Santander and the New Kingdom of León. Arredondo led the royalist forces in the Battle of Medina, the military engagement that put end to the Gutierrez-Magee expedition. The following is an excerpt from his report on the battle to Viceroy Félix María Calleja. Keep Reading
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