Commemorating the 190th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Velasco.

89(R) HCR 164 - Introduced version - Bill Text

89R33410 TBO-D

By: Lowe

H.C.R. No. 164

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, May 14, 2026, will mark the 190th anniversary of the

signing of the Treaties of Velasco, which drew the Texas Revolution

to a close and brought about the formal recognition of Texas as an

independent territory; and

WHEREAS, After the defeat of Mexican forces at the Battle of

San Jacinto in 1836, two treaties were signed by Texas Ad Interim

President David G. Burnet and Mexican General Antonio López de

Santa Anna; one of the treaties was immediately made public, and the

other was kept private with the agreement that the secret treaty

would be carried out once the public treaty had been fulfilled; and

WHEREAS, With 10 articles, the public treaty stipulated that

hostilities would cease, that Mexican forces would withdraw beyond

the Rio Grande without Texan interference, and that General Santa

Anna would be sent to Mexico as soon as possible and would not again

take up arms against Texas; the public treaty also included

provisions for the equal exchange of prisoners and the restoration

of property confiscated by Mexicans; and

WHEREAS, The private treaty had six articles and promised the

liberation of General Santa Anna on the condition that the general

use his influence to secure Mexico's acknowledgement of Texas

independence; General Santa Anna also agreed to give orders for the

withdrawal of Mexican troops, to have the Mexican cabinet receive a

Texas mission favorably, and to work for a treaty of commerce and

limits specifying that the Texas boundary not lie south of the Rio

Grande; and

WHEREAS, In pursuance of the public treaty, General Vicente

Filisola began withdrawing the Mexican troops; however, the Texas

army refused to send General Santa Anna to Mexico, thus preventing

the Texas government from carrying out the private treaty, and the

Mexican government later declared void any act done by General

Santa Anna while in captivity; with the Treaties of Velasco

violated by both governments and not recognized by either, Mexico

would not officially acknowledge Texas independence until the

signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848; and

WHEREAS, The signing of the Treaties of Velasco was an

important step in the negotiation for Texas independence, and it is

indeed fitting to recognize this historic event; now, therefore, be

it

RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas

hereby commemorate the 190th anniversary of the signing of the

Treaties of Velasco and honor the sacrifices of all those who took

up arms to secure Texas independence in 1836.