In 1S21, Stephen F. Austin established the first permanent Anglo-American settlement in eastern Texas at San Felipe de Austin on the Brazos River. This tvas followed by extensive immigration from the United States during the period of Mexican rule. It is estimated that the population, exclusive of Indians, increased from 4,000 in 1821, to 10,000 in 1827, and nearly 20,000 in 1830. In 1827 Texas was joined to Cahuila to form a state of the Mexican Federation. Difficulties arose between the Americans, especially the members of the Edwards colony around Nacogdoches, and the Spanish settlers who were there before the Americans came. There was also the Federal decree in 1S30 forbidding further immigration into the colony while lavish grants of land were made to Mexican favorites. A convention at San Felipe de Austin in 1S35 organized a Provisional Government with Henry Smith, who desired independence, as governor and Sam Houston as Major-general of the armies of Texas, and two commissioners were allotted to seek aid in the United States.
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