Why was Stephen F. Austin arrested when he travelled to Mexico in 1824?

Why was Stephen F. Austin arrested when he travelled to Mexico in 1824?

Stephen Austin's Arrest

On December 10, 1833, Austin left Mexico City to return to Texas. He believed that he had succeeded in his goals to acquire reforms for Texas. However, upon reaching Saltillo in northern Mexico, he was unexpectedly arrested.

It was revealed that his letter to Mexican authorities in San Antonio had been turned over to federal officials, leading them to suspect that Austin was pushing for Texas independence and potentially trying to incite insurrection.

This ultimately led to Austin's arrest by the Mexican government in January 1834. The arrest marked a significant turning point in the relationship between Texas and Mexico, as tensions continued to escalate.

These events demonstrate the complexities and challenges faced by individuals like Stephen F. Austin in advocating for the interests of Texas within the broader context of Mexican governance.