Agustín Viesca (1790–1845) was a governor of the Mexican state of

Coahuila y Tejas Coahuila y Tejas, officially the Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila y Tejas (), was one of the constituent states of the newly established United Mexican States under its 1824 Constitution. It had two capitals: first Saltillo (1822–1825) for ...

in 1835. He was the brother of José María Viesca, also a governor of

during 1827-1831.

Administration in Texas

As Mexican President

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna Antonio is a masculine given name of Etruscan origin deriving from the root name Antonius. It is a common name among Romance language-speaking populations as well as the Balkans and Lusophone Africa. It has been among the top 400 most popular male ...

began consolidating power in early 1835, the state government of Coahuila y Tejas defied his orders. In May, the army, which supported the government's new

centralist Centralisation or centralization (see spelling differences) is the process by which the activities of an organisation, particularly those regarding planning and decision-making, framing strategy and policies become concentrated within a particu ...

policies, invaded the capital,

Saltillo Saltillo () is the capital and largest city of the northeastern Mexican state of Coahuila and is also the municipal seat of the municipality of the same name. Mexico City, Monterrey, and Saltillo are all connected by a major railroad and highwa ...

, and dissolved the state government. As their last official act, the legislature authorized the governor to temporarily appoint any other city in the state as the capital. Viesca immediately designated

San Antonio de Bexar ("Cradle of Freedom") , image_map = , mapsize = 220px , map_caption = Interactive map of San Antonio , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = United States , subdivision_type1= State , subdivision_name1 = Texas , subdivision_t ...

as the focus of the state government and issued a proclamation asking the people of

Mexican Texas Mexican Texas is the historiographical name used to refer to the era of Texan history between 1821 and 1836, when it was part of Mexico. Mexico gained independence in 1821 after winning its war against Spain, which began in 1810. Initially, ...

to arm themselves in support of the now overthrown

Constitution of 1824 The Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1824 ( es, Constitución Federal de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos de 1824) was enacted on October 4 of 1824, after the overthrow of the Mexican Empire of Agustin de Iturbide. In the new Fr ...

. Viesca and members of the government gathered important documents from the state archives and began the journey overland to San Antonio. They were caught and arrested near the

Rio Grande The Rio Grande ( and ), known in Mexico as the Río Bravo del Norte or simply the Río Bravo, is one of the principal rivers (along with the Colorado River) in the southwestern United States and in northern Mexico. The length of the Rio G ...

. Later in the year, Viesca and his party were liberated by rebels under Colonel Jose Maria Gonzales. The group continued their journey into Texas, but rather than travel directly to San Antonio they took a coastal route towards

Goliad Goliad ( ) is a city in Goliad County, Texas, United States. It is known for the 1836 Goliad massacre during the Texas Revolution. It had a population of 1,620 at the 2020 census. Founded on the San Antonio River, it is the county seat of Gol ...

, where Texians had recently gained control of

Presidio La Bahia A presidio ( en, jail, fortification) was a fortified base established by the Spanish Empire around between 16th and 18th centuries in areas in condition of their control or influence. The presidios of Spanish Philippines in particular, were cent ...

. After leaving San Patricio, Viesca met Texian troops led by Ira Westover, who had recently defeated another Mexican force at the Battle of Lipantitlan. Westover escorted Viesca and his party to Presidio La Bahia. At that time that he arrived, the Texians had just convened the

Consultation Consultation may refer to: * Public consultation, a process by which the public's input on matters affecting them is sought * Consultation (Texas), the 1835 Texas meeting of colonists on a proposed rebellion against the Republic of Mexico * Consul ...

, a provisional government that was trying to determine if the Texians were fighting for the reinstatement of the Constitution of 1824 or for independence from Mexico. Although Viesca assumed that he would resume his position as leader of the area, La Bahia commander

Philip Dimmitt Philip Dimmitt (1801–1841) was an officer in the Texian Army during the Texas Revolution. Born in Kentucky, Dimmitt moved to Texas in 1823 and soon operated a series of trading posts. After learning that Mexican General Martín Perfecto de ...

was unsure how to receive the governor. Dimmitt sent a military escort to escort the party in with military honors and offered an official reception inside the fort. However, he wrote to Texian Army commander

Stephen F. Austin Stephen Fuller Austin (November 3, 1793 – December 27, 1836) was an American-born empresario. Known as the "Father of Texas" and the founder of Anglo Texas,Hatch (1999), p. 43. he led the second and, ultimately, the successful colonization ...

that as "I did not conceived myself duly authorized to receive this gentleman in an official capacity, no such reception was either given or intended." Austin was very angry with Dimmitt's actions and on November 18 ordered Dimmitt removed from his command with no hearing. Viesca and his men journeyed to San Felipe de Austin, where the Consultation also refused to recognize his authority.

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Viesca, Agustin 1790 births 1845 deaths 19th-century Mexican politicians Governors of Mexican Texas

Administration in Texas

See also

References