Stephen F. Austin and the settlers in Texas had backed Santa Anna in his bid for power and, though disturbed by Santa Anna’s turn, now seek to capitalize on it.

Austin therefore travels to Mexico City in July 1833 with a petition asking for separate statehood from Coahuila, a better judicial system, and the repeal of the April 6 law that had caused the first Anahuac and Velasco Disturbances (1832), among other things.

After meeting with Farías, Austin’s requests are all approved except for separate statehood, which requires a population of eighty thousand before it can be granted, and Texas has only thirty thousand.

Despondent over not getting Texas separated from Coahuila, Austin writes an angry letter to a friend, which seems to encourage rebellion.

Mexican officials intercept the letter, and Austin is arrested for sedition.

He will spend eighteen months in prison.