Treaties of Velasco facts for kids

The Treaties of Velasco were two important papers signed on May 14, 1836. They were signed in Fort Velasco by General Antonio López de Santa Anna and the Republic of Texas. This happened right after the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. The fort was in a place called Velasco, which is now part of Surfside Beach. David G. Burnet, the temporary President of Texas, signed for Texas. Santa Anna signed for Mexico. Texas hoped these agreements would stop the fighting. They also hoped it would be the first step for Mexico to officially say Texas was independent. When they were first written, these papers were called a "Public Agreement" and a "Secret Treaty."

Santa Anna had been captured by the Texans. Many Texans wanted him punished for the deaths of their friends and family at the Alamo and Goliad. But Sam Houston saved Santa Anna's life. He made Santa Anna promise to remove Mexican troops from Texas. Santa Anna told Burnet that if he could go back to Mexico City, he would try to get Texas's independence recognized. Santa Anna signed both the public agreement and the secret treaty. However, the Mexican government never officially approved them. They said Santa Anna signed them because he was forced to. Santa Anna later said he only promised to let Texas representatives speak to his government. He said this did not mean his government had to accept them.

The Mexican Congress thought Santa Anna's actions were wrong. They said both agreements were not valid. Mexican leaders removed Santa Anna as president. They put Anastasio Bustamante in charge instead. The Mexican Congress agreed that Santa Anna "offered nothing in the name of the nation."

A writer named Will Fowler, who wrote about Santa Anna, thought Santa Anna was very clever. He said Santa Anna did not promise to do anything more than let Texas representatives talk to the Mexican government. Santa Anna was a prisoner, so he was not free to act. Anything he said or signed would not be approved by the Congress. An early draft of the agreement said Santa Anna recognized Texas's independence. Santa Anna refused to sign this part, and it was removed. Santa Anna sent a message to General Vicente Filisola to move his troops back. But his message made it clear that Filisola was still in charge. Fowler believes Filisola should have known Santa Anna could not give orders since he was captured. Both Filisola and Santa Anna were blamed for the defeat. But signing the Velasco documents did not mean Santa Anna or Mexico agreed to Texas's independence.

Mexico still said Texas belonged to them. But Mexico was too weak to try and take Texas back. So, Texas was independent in reality, even if not officially. The documents were not even called "treaties" until much later. US President James K. Polk called them treaties about ten years later. He did this to help explain why the US was going to war with Mexico. US Representative Abraham Lincoln pointed this out in 1848. Lincoln asked exactly where American troops were killed. He wanted to know if it was on American soil, as Polk claimed. Lincoln's questions earned him the nickname "Spotty" Lincoln.

What the Public Agreement Said

This part explains the main points of the Public Agreement.

Introduction to the Agreement

This agreement was made between David G. Burnet, President of the Republic of Texas, and General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, President-General in Chief of Mexico.

Article 1: No More Fighting for Santa Anna

General Antonio López de Santa Anna agreed that he would not fight against Texas. He also promised not to encourage anyone else to fight during this war for independence.

Article 2: Stop All Hostilities

All fighting between Mexican and Texan soldiers had to stop right away. This included fighting on land and in the water.

Article 3: Mexican Troops Leave Texas

The Mexican troops agreed to leave Texas. They would cross to the other side of the Rio Grande river.

Article 4: No Taking Property

As the Mexican Army left, they could not take anyone's property without permission. If they needed food or supplies and the owner was not there, they could use what was necessary. But they had to tell the Texan army commander what they took, where they took it, and the owner's name if they knew it. They also had to pay for it later.

Article 5: Return Captured Property

All private property, like cattle, horses, or people who were enslaved, that the Mexican army had taken or that had joined the army since the invasion began, had to be returned. They would be given back to the Texan army commander or someone else chosen by the Texas government.

Article 6: Keep Armies Apart

The armies of both sides would stay away from each other. The Texan army commander would make sure his troops stayed at least five leagues (about 15 miles) away from the Mexican army.

Article 7: No Unnecessary Delays

The Mexican army could only stop their march for necessary reasons. This included picking up injured soldiers, their bags, and crossing rivers. Any other stops would be seen as breaking the agreement.

Article 8: Inform Commanders

This agreement would be sent right away to General Filisola and General T. J. Rusk. Rusk was the commander of the Texan Army. They would learn about the rules and promise to follow them.

Article 9: Prisoner Exchange

All Texan prisoners held by the Mexican Army or its leaders would be released right away. They would get free passes to go home. In return, the Texas government would immediately release an equal number of Mexican prisoners. The remaining Mexican prisoners would be treated kindly. If they needed extra comforts, the Mexican government would pay for them.

Article 10: Santa Anna's Return

General Antonio López de Santa Anna would be sent to Veracruz, Mexico, when it was considered safe.

What the Secret Treaty Said

This part explains the main points of the Secret Treaty.

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the General in Chief of the Mexican Army and President of Mexico, promised the Texas government that he would follow these rules himself.

Article 1: No Fighting for Santa Anna (Again)

He would not fight against the people of Texas during this war for independence. He also promised not to make others fight.

Article 2: Mexican Troops Leave (Again)

He would order the Mexican troops to leave Texas as quickly as possible.

Article 3: Mexico to Welcome Texas Representatives

He would prepare things in the Mexican government so that Texas representatives would be welcomed. Through talks, all disagreements could be solved. The independence that Texas had declared would be recognized.

Article 4: New Borders and Trade

A treaty for trade, friendship, and borders would be made between Mexico and Texas. The land of Texas would not go beyond the Rio Bravo del Norte (Rio Grande) river.

Why Mexico Didn't Approve the Treaties

Mexican General Vicente Filisola started moving his troops out of Texas on May 26, 1836. However, the government of Mexican President José Justo Corro in Mexico City decided on May 20 that they would not agree to anything Santa Anna did while he was a prisoner. Mexico's leaders said Santa Anna did not have the power to agree to these terms or make a treaty.

Santa Anna also said he signed the papers because he was forced to. He was a prisoner, not a general giving up in a normal way. He also did not have the power under Mexico's laws to make a treaty. Because of this, the Mexican government never officially approved the agreements.

Santa Anna's Journey Home

Santa Anna was not allowed to return to Veracruz until 1837. He was kept as a prisoner in Velasco and then at the Orozimbo Plantation. He later claimed he was "clapped in irons for six months." After that, he was taken to Washington, DC to meet with US President Andrew Jackson. The idea was to try and make a lasting peace between Mexico and Texas, with the US helping. Santa Anna sailed on a ship called the USS Pioneer. He was a "guest" of the US Navy. He finally arrived back in Veracruz on February 23, 1837.

What Happened Next

The promises in the public agreement were not fully kept. Because of this, the details of the secret agreement were not shared until much later. Mexico did not officially recognize Texas's independence. They also did not recognize when Texas later joined the United States. This only happened in 1848 with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This treaty ended the Mexican–American War. It also officially recognized the Rio Grande (Río Bravo del Norte) as the border between Mexico and the United States.

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