What did the Turtle Bayou Resolutions declare?

Answer 1

The Turtle Bayou Resolutions:

• Resolved: That we view with feelings of the deepest regret, the manner in which the government of the Republic of Mexico is administered by the present dynasty. The repeated violation of the constitution; the total disregard of the laws; the entire prostration of the civil power, are grievances of such character as to arouse the feelings of every freeman, and impel him to resistance.
• Resolved: That we view with feelings of deepest interest and solicitude, the firm and manly resistance which is made by those patriots under the highly and distinguished chieftain Santa Anna, to the numerous encroachments and infractions which have been made by the present administration upon the laws and constitution of our beloved and adopted country.
• Resolved: That as freemen devoted to a correct interpretation and enforcement of the constitution and laws, according to their true spirit, we pledge our lives and fortunes in support of the same, and of those distinguished leaders who are gallantly fighting in defense of civil liberty. Resolved: That all the people of Texas be united to co-operate with us, in support of the principles incorporated in the foregoing resolutions."

The Turtle Bayou Resolutions were drafted and signed at Turtle Bayou on June 13, 1832, this first formal protest of Texas colonists against Mexican tyranny formed an early step in events that led eventually to the Texas Revolution of 1836.

The settlers were protesting recent restrictive laws of Mexico designed to limit Immigration and trade between the United States and Texas, passed because Mexico feared losing Texas to the U.S.

In particular, citizens of Anahuac were enraged by unreasonable acts of Col. Juan Davis Bradburn, a local agent of the Mexican government. Alarm spread after Bradburn unjustly imprisoned several Texans, one of whom was William B. Travis, later Alamo hero.

Fighting broke out on June 9 and 12, 1832, between citizens and Bradburn's militia. Following this, the Texans met at Turtle Bayou to plan future action. Here they drew up resolutions censuring violations of Mexico's constitution by President Bustamante, encouraging resistance to his regime, and inviting all Texans to uphold the cause of civil liberty.

Most of the signers of the document later served in the 1836 Revolution and in the Texas republic.