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a new Spanish nation. Spain began to encourage others to come to the area. They
granted special provisions for Native-born Mexicans. An explosion of immigration into
Texas took place in 1825. Colonies were established by bringing families from Ireland
and from England. After ten years there were 20,000 Anglo-Americans with their
slaves in Texas and they out numbered the Spanish speaking inhabitants five to one.
A clash of cultures was soon to come.

You will recall that the Mexicans attempted a revolt against Spain in 1819 but were put
down by the Spanish military. At about the same time citizens of Spain were also
revolting against the King in Spain. During the period between 1822 and 1824 Mexico
won its freedom from Spanish control and became an independent republic. All this did
not happen over night but by 1824 Spain no longer had any control over Mexico which
included Texas.

MEXICO FINALLY WINS INDEPENDENCE FROM SPAIN AND THE U.S.
OFFERS TO BUY TEXAS

Despite all the changes and confusion Austin remained in the good graces of the new
Mexican authorities. He continued to import people into Texas and the last thing on
his mind was the possibility that there would be a conflict between the United States
and Mexico. But, he was wrong.

In 1824 John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay and Andrew Jackson were candidates for
President of the United States. In the voting none of them won a majority which threw
the election into the House of Representatives. Deals were made and Adams became
President; Clay became Secretary of State.

Western expansion was growing and there was a clamor for more land by the voters

of the United States. In order to appease the people Adams decided to try and
purchase Texas from Mexico. He authorized Clay to offer one million dollars and a
commercial treaty in order to move the western boundary of the United States to the
South side of the Brazos River. However, that offer was not made immediately. Other
things were happening.

Neither the Mexicans nor the Americans understood each other. American politicians
thought Mexico would be glad to get rid of Texas because of all the Anglos who were
then living in Texas. Americans felt Mexicans were actually not able to settle Texas;

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