Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Early Statehood
From annexation in 1845 to secession from the Union in 1861, early Texas statehood was marked by several major issues. Learn about four of these issues: annexation, slavery, the 1850 Boundary Act, and secession.
Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: Fredonian Rebellion
Read about the Fredonian Rebellion of 1826, the first attempt by Anglo settlers in Texas to secede from Mexico.
Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: Jose Manuel Rafael Simeon De Mier Y Teran
Read about General Teran, a Mexican general who fought for Mexican independence in the Mexican and Texan revolutions.
Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: The Law of April 6, 1830
Read this short overview of The Law of April 6, 1830 which was 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.
Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: Turtle Bayou Resolutions
A brief overview of the Turtle Bayou Resolutions, which played a role in the secession of Texas from Mexico and the creation of the Republic of Texas.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Martin Perfecto De Cos
Site contains surrender terms and documents signed by Perfecto de Cos and Edward Burleson to end hostilities at Bexar.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Hard Road to Texas 1836 1845: Texas Breaks Away Texas and Mexico
After being taken over by Mexico in 1821, Texas became very attractive to people wanting to settle. New policies, however, upset the Texans, which lead to rebellions and the Texas Revolution of 1836. Read about it all, and check out...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Texas Navy: After San Jacinto
What role did the Texas Navy play in the aftermath of San Jacinto? This site provides the answer while offering a look into this time in Texas' history and the Texas fleet through primary texts: "Commodore Henry Thompson details his...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The San Felipe Incident: Opening Shot of the Texas Revolution
Read about the victory that allowed volunteers from the U.S. to move into Texas, thus beginning the Texas revolution in 1835. Explore the San Felipe incident and the man behind it, merchant Thomas F. McKinney, and check out related...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Texas Navy: Texas Privateers
Following the "seizure of the Mexican cannon at Gonzales," the Texas Revolution began. What did Texas do to ensure that the coast would be safe during the war? Read about the Texas Privateers and their part in the Texas Revolution.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Texas Navy: Organization of the First Navy
Check out primary texts from the time first navy was formed in Texas: "Acting governor Henry Smith on the need for a Navy, November 1835," "Report of the Committee on Naval Affairs, November 1835," "Naval Affairs committee report on the...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Texas Navy: War With Mexico
Read about Santa Anna's retaliation after the siege of Bexar, and the battles on sea and on land that followed. This site's strength is its collection of primary texts from this period in Texas' history: "Broadside calling for all men to...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Texas Navy: Founding of the Second Navy
By 1837, the Texas needed new ships, as the first ships were either "wrecked, captured, or seized by creditors." Learn how the second navy was formed by reading primary texts from this time in Texas' history: "S. Rhodes Fisher, the...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Texas Navy: The Tabasco Incident
Edwin Ward Moore resigned from the U.S. Navy to "accept an appointment as commodore of the new Texas fleet." This site offers information on his first jobs as commodore, which included recruiting new sailors and marines, dealing with a...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Texas Navy: The Yucatan Alliance
Read details about the Texas negotiations and alliance with the Yucatan rebels, who were also fighting the Mexican government. Includes a collection of primary texts: "Commodore Moore reports on the Yucatan cruise, December 1841,"...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Texas Navy: Blood Feud
Read details about a feud between President Sam Houston and Commodore Edwin Moore, which stemmed from Houston's refusal to send Moore funds needed in order to repair the naval fleet. Includes several primary texts: "Houston orders a...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Texas Navy: Back to Yucatan
A peace agreement between the Mexican government and the Yucatan rebels was bad news for the Texas navy. How did Commodore Moore react? Read this article to find out, and check out useful primary texts: "Midshipman Alfred Walke describes...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Texas Navy: The Trial of Edwin W. Moore
Commodore Moore was given a hero's welcome after returning to Galveston. But this didn't last long, as he was dishonorably discharged from the Texas Navy and charged with "disobedience and piracy" and "murder for the execution of the San...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: The Texas Navy: Epilogue
What happened to the Texas Navy when the revolution was over and Texas was annexed by the U.S. in 1846? Check out primary texts from this time in Texas' history to research this topic: "First four pages of Edwin Moore's claims for...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Native American Relations in Texas: Indians and the Texas Revolution
Read about the importance of the support of various Indian tribes in the success of the Texas Revolution. See primary sources that explore this topic.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Battle of San Jacinto: Pamphlet, General Sam Houston's Official Report
Here is pamphlet printed in 1878 that gave General Sam Houston's official report on the Battle of San Jacinto. Eight pages long, it is annotated by artist Henry McArdle, as he did research for his painting, "The Battle of San Jacinto."
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Battle of San Jacinto: Official Report on the Capture of Santa Anna
Here is James A. Sylvester's report his capture of General Santa Anna. This site provides images of the original handwritten letter, as well as typed line-by-line transcription. Part of artist Henry McArdle's research for his painting,...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Battle of San Jacinto: Account of Battle and Santa Anna's Attempt to Escape
William S. Taylor provides a very interesting account of the Battle of San Jacinto, and also writes of General Santa Anna's attempt to escape. There are eight pages of handwritten text accompanied by typed transcription. Part of artist...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Sam Houston's Copy of His Official Report of the Battle of San Jacinto
Sam Houston's personal account in his own handwriting of the Battle of San Jacinto written on April 25, 1836, is offered on this site. There is also a transcription of the document.