Juan Sequin Argumentative Essay

Texas history, as we learned about it in text books, has only told half of the story of Texas Independence. Every school child learns the story of the Alamo and how the brave souls paid with their lives for our freedom. What the historians failed to mention was all of the patriots who were involved, leading up to the Alamo and those who fought after. One of these patriots was Juan Sequin, who ended up paying for his patriotism with banishment, and being marked a traitor. It would be many years after his death before the full story of what this man, and others, actually achieved.
Juan Sequin was born in what is now known as San Antonio Texas, his family can be credited with settling this area. At the time our present day San Antonio, was known as the Mexican territory of Tejas. Sequin’s father, Erasmo, met with Moses Austin to allow white
settlers into area. Their sons would carry on their legacy of Texas Independence. By the time Sequin’s father passed away, he had learned valuable experience that would help him in later years. His political career began at 22 years old, when he was appointed a judge in San Antonio. Juan was instrumental in working with the Texas Anglos and the Mexican government.
In 1832, tensions were coming to a head between the San Antonio Anglo settlers and the Mexican National government. The settlers were not happy with the governments rules, laws and regulations; and sent word to the Mexican government that they would declare Texas a separate state. By this time Sequin was acting Mayor of San Antonio, and was torn on how to handle the situation. It should be noted here that Santa Anna, with the support of the American settlers, accomplished a political coup, on then President Bustamante. It all boiled down to allegiances, whether it was federalist or centralist parties.
There was quite a bit of party switching going on, even by Santa Anna himself. The American settlers wanted to create their own laws, and not be made to live under Mexico’s rules. The politics of this era were volatile. It was a back and forth between different allegiances and this could be what led to the belief that Sequin was a traitor. It is hardly ever a peaceful transition when a state or a country is trying to declare its Independence, from its sovereign ruler. And Mexico was trying to keep its territory and people. In the minds of Mexican leaders, the Americans were the invaders.
Sequin was pulled in many different directions, who should he remain loyal to?
With the explosive situation that was heating up, Sequin joined the Federal Army of Texas. It is believed that he had an inkling the Mexican army was planning on moving in, so this was his way of helping to quell the unrest. When the (FAT) Army stormed San Antonio to remove the Mexican Army, it is said Sequin was there as an officer. Once San Antonio was regained, Sequin was again made a judge for the area. It should be noted that Sequin was a major force in the politics of this time; before, during and after Texas Independence.
In 1836, Sequin with Mexican and American settlers, took refuge at the Alamo. This was because Santa Anna was again marching on them with his army. This is part of the famous story of the letter to Sam Houston. Most texts relate it that Juan Sequin was just a courier, leaving out all the important history of his life and what he did for Texas. Once the Alamo had been overtaken and all were dead, Sequin joined forces with Sam Houston. He was still fighting for a free Texas, and continued that all the way through the
fighting.
Juan Sequins troubles began after Texas won its Independence and the war was over. Right afterwards, he was still committed to establishment of the State of Texas. Sequin continued to be active in Texas politics, was elected into the State Senate and was the mayor of San Antonio. It was around the 1840’s that Texas was inundated with American settlers, and many likely did not understand the peoples of the time. Many of Mexican descendant were born in “Texas.” However, these newer settlers could not differentiate that they were residents, not Mexicans that had fought for Santa Anna. Juan Sequin was lumped into this category in the minds of the new settlers.
It was during this time Sequin was accused of being a Mexican sympathizer, and resentments were rampant. Sam Houston was probably his biggest ally, and refused to bend to the will of those making these accusations. Sequin decided to go back to Mexico, maybe hoping things would cool off over time. Once he was in Mexico, however, he was forced to join the Mexican army or risking being sent to prison. Without any other choice, Sequin joined the Mexican Army. It was six years before he would return to Texas, and try to rebuild his life. Upon his return to Texas, he again became involved in the politics of Texas.
Throughout his life, Sequin had an insiders understanding of both Mexican and American politics. It can be surmised that someone with this insight would be able to help from both ends of this dilemma. Growing up in a political family, Sequin was in fact raised to accomplish everything that he did. Politics being what they are, he had to be gotten rid of, and his detractors accomplished that feat. It would not be for about a hundred years that the true story would surface of Juan Sequin, and he would be honored posthumously for his role in the fight for Texas Independence.