Mexico obtained its independence from Spain in 1821. Mexican territory as this time extended into the American Southwest (the present-day American states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California). Under the Treaty of Córdobav between Spain and Mexico all Indians were granted Mexican citizenship. In the Plan of Iguala which outlined Mexico’s political and social structure Mexico did away with all legal distinctions regarding Indians and reaffirmed that Indians were citizens of Mexico on an equal basis with non-Indians.
In his book Cycles of Conquest: The Impact of Spain, Mexico, and the United States on the Indians of the Southwest, 1533-1960, Edward H. Spicer reports:
“The Plan of Iguala had insisted on no racial distinctions for citizenship, and the federal constitution adopted in 1821 pursued this course.”
Edward H. Spicer also reports:
“All Mexican-born persons were to be citizens, and all citizens were guaranteed equal participation in the political life.”
The Catholic Church, however, opposed equality and advocated a return to the colonial mission system. In reality, each Mexican state determined for itself how to incorporate Indians into the new nation.
While Mexico recognized Indian citizenship and Indian land ownership, in many areas, such as New Mexico, the government did little to actually enforce Indian land and water rights.
Comanches
Following the acquisition of the horse in the eighteenth century, the Comanches moved out into the Southern Plains. By 1825 the Comanches, known as the “Lords of the Southern Plains,” were the dominant military Indian nation in Mexico’s Texas province.
In order to bring the Comanches under Mexican control, several Comanche leaders were given military rank in 1825 by the Mexicans: Hoyoso was made lieutenant colonel; Terequena was made lieutenant; and Huaquenjavi was made sub-lieutenant.
The Mexicans also provided the Comanches with gifts. However, some Comanches were unhappy with the quantity of gifts from the Mexican government. A group of 226 warriors along with 104 women and children under the leadership of Hoyoso, Ysachene, and Bonique came to Béxar , Texas where they robbed three houses, captured three horses, and killed 19 cows.
American Settlement
In Mexico’s far north (i.e. the province of Texas) there was concern over Comanche raids. In seeking a solution for this problem, the Mexican government opened the province for foreign settlement (primarily Americans) for those who were willing to accept Mexican rule and worship the Christian (Catholic) god. Mexico had outlawed slavery, which irritated the new American settlers as slavery was a cherished American institution.
The new colonists are given land grants intended to act as a barrier between Mexican Texas and the Comanches.
Lipan Apaches
In 1825, Stephen Austin (1793-1836), one of the leaders of the Americans in Texas, recognized Huan Novale as the principal chief of the Lipan Apache and gave him a passport indicating that he was a friend to the American settlers in Texas. In his chapter on the Lipan Apache in the Handbook of North American Indians, Volume 10: Southwest, anthropologist Morris Opler reports:
“The initial cordiality between the Lipan and Americans was genuine as far as the Lipan were concerned. The Americans in Texas were still too few to pose a threat to hunting territories and offered a good opportunity for trade relations.”
In is interesting to note that the Americans arrogantly felt that they had the right to designate Indian leaders.
More American Indian histories
Indians 101: American Indians and the federal government 200 years ago, 1825
Indians 101: American Indian battles and skirmishes 200 years ago, 1824
Indians 101: American Indian tribes 200 years ago, 1824
Indians 101: Canadian First Nations 200 years ago, 1824
Indians 101: Cherokee Indians 200 year ago, 1824
Indians 201: The 1836 American Indian Liberation Army
Indians 101: The Republic of Texas & the Cherokee
Indians 201: The 1827 Winnebago Uprising
