Tl,e Stmggle for Independence, r835-r836
Constitution by the President through a subservient Congress. It then proceeded to pass a law authorizing the Governor to dispose of four hundred leagues of public lands to meet "the present exigencies of the state." The Saltillo deputies withdrew after declaring this act a violation of the national Colonization Law. They called on General Martin Perfecto de Cos, commander of the Eastern Interior Provinces, to dissolve the Legislature. Cos, brother-in-law of Santa Anna, was only too willing to oblige. His alleged motive was the violation of the Federal Colonization Law, but more probably he was influenced by Santa Anna, who denounced the assumption of dictatorial powers by the State Legislature. 5 Whatever the reason, interference of Federal troops in state politics aggravated the situation. Land speculation. The law of March 14, 1835, that occasioned this intervention was the third in a series of land acts prompted by unscrupu- lous speculators. Its effect on the people of Texas cannot be ignored. These laws contributed to the general dissatisfaction and added to the confusion.' Briefly, the State Legislature, after moving to Monclova, passed a law on March 26, 1834, providing for the survey of vacant lands in lots of 177 acres each, to be sold at auction to the highest bidder at a minimum of ten dollars per lot. Payment could be made in three equal annual installments. No person could buy more than eleven leagues. Foreigners could purchase lands, provided they moved into Texas within a year. This law carried a provision that, in fact, permitted religious toleration: no one was to be molested for religious or political opinions as long as he kept the peace. A second law was passed· on April 19, 1834, "with the intention of protecting the lives and property of the citizens, constantly sacrificed to the perfidy, rage, and barbarity of the hostile Indians." An additional 400 leagues of public lands were to be sold to finance whatever militiamen would be necessary t_o repress Indian hositlities. Under this law, S. M. Williams, Robert Peebles, and F. W. Johnson agreed to raise a force of 1,000 men, armed and equipped at their expense, for one year's service in consideration of a grant of 400 leagues. On March 14, 1835, upon reassembling, the Legislature passed the third land law authorizing the Governor to dispose of another 400 leagues of public land to meet the needs of the depleted State Treasury. Sf bid., 183-186. 6 For a detailed account, see E. C. Barker, "Land Speculatiim as a Cause of the Texas Revolution," Tlt1 Qua,-/n-ly, X, 76-95.
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