The Treaty of Velasco was signed on May 14, 1836. The treaty formally brought an end to fighting between Texas and Mexico. The treaty basically gave Texas its independence. The site at which the treaty was signed, Velasco, was the capital of the Republic of Texas, nine years before it applied for statehood. The war began after Mexico did not like the idea of Texas seceding from Mexico and declared war upon them. Texas stood as its own nation for nine years, though many people do not know that, from 1936 to 1945.
Articles of an agreement entered into, between His Excellency David G. Burnet, President of the Republic of Texas, of the one part, and His Excellency General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, President General in Chief of the Mexican Army, of the other part.
Article 1st
General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna agrees that he will not take up arms, nor will he exercise his influence to cause them to be taken up against the people of Texas, during the present war of Independence.
Article 2nd
All hostilities between the mexican and texian troops will cease immediately both on land and water.
Article 3rd
The mexican troops will evacuate the Territory of Texas, passing to the other side of the Rio Grande del Norte.
Article 4th
The mexican Army in its retreat shall not take the property of any person without his consent and just indemnification, using only such articles as may be necessary for its subsistence, in cases when the owner may not be present, and remitting to the commander of the army of Texas or to the commissioner to be appointed for the adjustment of such matters, an account of the value of the property consumed--the place where taken, and the name of the owner, if it can be ascertained.
Article 5th
That all private property including cattle, horses, negro slaves or indentured persons of whatever denomination, that may have been captured by any portion of the mexican army or may have taken refuge in the said army since the commencement of the late invasion, shall be restored to the Commander of the Texian army, or to such other persons as may be appointed by the Government of Texas to receive them.
Article 6th
The troops of both armies will refrain from coming into contact with each other, and to this end the Commander of the army of Texas will be careful not to approach within a shorter distance of the mexican army than five leagues.
Article 7th
The mexican army shall not make any other delay on its march, than that which is necessary to take up their hospitals, baggage --- and to cross the rivers--any delay not necessary to these purposes to be considered an infraction of this agreement.
Article 8th
By express to be immediately dispatched, this agreement shall be sent to General Filisola and to General T. J. Rusk, commander of the texian Army, in order that they may be apprised of its stipulations, and to this and they will exchange engagements to comply with the same.
Article 9th
That all texian prisoners now in possession of the mexican Army or its authorities be forthwith released and furnished with free passports to return to their homes, in consideration of which a corresponding number of Mexican prisoners, rank and file, now in possession of the Government of Texas shall be immediately released. The remainder of the mexican prisoners that continue in possession of the Government of Texas to be treated with due humanity -- any extraordinary comforts that may be furnished them to be at the charge of the Government of Mexico.
Article 10th
General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna will be sent to Veracruz as soon as it shall be deemed proper.
The contracting parties sign this Instrument for the above mentioned purposes, by duplicate, at the Port of Velasco this fourteenth day of May 1836.
David G Burnet
Ant. Lopez de Santa Anna
Jas Collinsworth,
Sec of State
Bailey Hardeman,
Secy of Treasury
T W Grayson,
Atty General
Ant. Lopez de Santa Anna
David G Burnet
Jas Collinsworth, Secretary of State
Bailey Hardeman, Secy of Treasury
T W Grayson, Atty General