Tensions escalate in Texas between the colonists…
June 1832 CE
After he had given asylum to three men who had escaped slavery in Louisiana in August 1831, the owner had retained local lawyer William Barret Travis to represent him in trying to get the slaves returned.
Bradburn received a letter in May 1832, ostensibly from a friend, warning that one hundred armed men would come from Louisiana to reclaim the slaves.
When Bradburn realized that the letter was a hoax, he arrested Travis for questioning, intending to send Travis to Matamoros for a military trial on charges of attempted insurrection to separate the territory from Mexico.
Conviction on this charge would lead to Travis's execution.
Unfamiliar with Mexican law, the settlers were outraged that Bradburn could arrest the man without a warrant, a statement of charges, or trial by jury.
Most assumed they were still covered by the United States Bill of Rights.
Jack had threatened Bradburn, who arrested him again.
Travis and Jack then began plotting their escape.
They attempted to smuggle letters to David G. Burnet, a fellow instigator; the letters called on Texans to aid them, but stopped short of calling for armed rebellion.
Bradburn had intercepted the letters before delivery.
Although settlers at first did not get involved, they became alarmed at learning that Bradburn was taking statements from potential witnesses without allowing Travis, Patrick Jack, or their legal representation to speak with the witnesses.
Jack's brother organized a contingent of men to march from Brazoria to Anahuac.
Men began arriving from other villages as well.
One of the Brazoria councilmen, John Austin, stopped to consult Colonel Domingo Ugartechea, who commands the garrison on the Brazos.
Ugartechea had recommended that Austin request that the men be remanded into civilian custody.
Bradburn's officers explained to Austin and company that the laws prohibited turning the accused men over to civilian authorities.
The Brazoria men returned home.
After they left, the Mexican officers discovered that their horses had been stolen.
They arrested two local men on suspicion of the theft.
On hearing of the new arrests, the Brazoria contingent returned to Anahuac.
They camped with other angry civilians several miles from Anahuac and elected Frank W. Johnson as commander.
The group soon captured Bradburn's nineteen cavalry officers, who had been trying to reconnoiter the Texan position.
On June 10, the insurgents occupied buildings in northern Anahuac.
Bradburn worried that the armed men wanted to do more than free the American prisoners; he suspected a full-scale revolt.
Bradburn had Travis and Jack tied to the ground with weapons pointed at them.
Bradburn threatened to shoot both men if the Texans attacked.
Travis encouraged Johnson to lead an attack anyway.
During the ensuing negotiations, the Texans offered to exchange the cavalry officers for Travis and the other prisoners.
Mexican officers agreed to release their prisoners into civilian custody in exchange for the cavalry officers and for the withdrawal of the Texans to Turtle Bayou.
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