Juan Seguin Texas It is not an untold secret that every American knows about the unforgettable "Remember the Alamo," a war cry that the Texans used during the Texas Revolution. The repetitive screaming of this war cry makes Americans remember the horrible deaths of the Anglo defenders at the hands of the brutal soldiers of Santa Anna. It was due to the sacrifices of those daunting defenders that the people in Texas were guaranteed an independent state that was free of the tyrannical Mexican rule. In the same connection, it is not possible to not mention the name Juan Seguin whenever Texas Revolution is under discussion. Juan was among the many valiant Mexicans who fought fearlessly for the sake of people in America. He was a brave man whose participation for the sake of American settlers is equivalent to that of William Travis, Davy Crockett etc. Thus, it is impossible to leave him out when Texas Revolution is recalled[footnoteRef:2]. [2: Harris, Charlie. Juan Seguin: A Teacher'sGuide. Texas: University of Texas Publishers, 2009. https://academics.utep.edu/Portals/1719/Publications/Seguin.pdf (accessed September 27, 2013).]

Even though a number of Mexicans including Juan Antonio Badillo, Jose Maria Esparza and Juan Abamillo facilitated the settlement of Anglos and even gave up their lives for the Anglo cause, the name of Juan Seguin holds a special place in the quest for a new independent state where people could live without the Santa Anna's brutal rule. One of the major reasons why Seguin enjoys a higher position in the American history is that he served as the Mexican courier from the hands of whom the renowned Travis Letter was delivered to Sam Houston. However, Juan's services for the betterment of Texans were more than just delivering the famous Travis letter to Houston. It is a great reality that Juan did so much for the Anglo independence fight both before and after the Texan Revolution in which he played an instrumental role. It is unfortunate that American history doesn't give an account of Juan's life that he deserves. He has a compelling part in the Texas Revolution that should be remembered always[footnoteRef:3]. [3: Ibid.]

It was towards the end of the year 1832 when there was an increased conflict between the American settlers residing in Tejas (a Mexican territory) and the government. The Americans in Tejas were not at all satisfied with the introduction of new laws and also by the kind of treatment they suffered at the hands of Mexican government. Thus, they voiced their apprehensions over the mentioned issues and made themselves clear before the Mexican government. There were immediate consequences and one major one was the petition by the head political administrator (ayuntamiento) of Bexar against the government of Mexico. As ayuntamiento supported American settlers, he petitioned on their behalf. In 1833, the ayuntamiento received a letter from the American settlers who made it clear that something should be done by the national Congress otherwise they would pronounce Texas a separate state. This was the major event that made it easy for Juan to strengthen his political career. At that time, Juan was the elected mayor of Bexar. However, when ayuntamiento resigned from his position, the political powers were transferred to Juan Seguin as the political chief[footnoteRef:4]. [4: Dawson, J.G. The Texas Military Experience: From the Texas Revolution Through World War II. College Station: Texas A & M. University Press, 1995. (accessed September 27, 2013).]

After coming into the office, Juan became familiar with the fact that Austin was arrested. Austin was the representative of American government who was sent to Mexico for holding talks with the Latino government. Seguin did not understand the situation and was confused about thinking of any solution. It became a dilemma for him whether to ask for the release of Austin who was also a dear friend or accept the terms put forward by the Mexican government. However, it turned out easier for him to decide when Austin sided with the Mexican government and recognized its actions as acceptable. Till this moment, Juan had no clear idea with which side he is. However, time was near when the truth was to be revealed[footnoteRef:5]. [5: Dawson, J.G. The Texas Military Experience: From the Texas Revolution Through World War II. College Station: Texas A & M. University Press, 1995. (accessed September 27, 2013).]

Towards the end of 1833, the Mexican government under President Bustamante was overthrown by Santa Anna who got immense support from the American settlers. Juan, who was still serving as the political chief in Bexar, got to know that the allegiance of Santa Anna to the Centralist Party...

Centralists were in favor of the founding of a tough central government and against the establishment of a weak state government. Earlier to this revolution, Santa Anna believed in federalism that made him believe in the establishment of strong state governments. According to federalists' beliefs, states should have the right to select and implement the laws according to their wills and govern as they feel appropriate. However, when Americans observed that Santa Anna wanted to govern the people with a federalist approach, they took political and armed actions to show their disapproval regarding the change of Santa Anna's political approach. Juan learned that the army was coming to Bexar for controlling the turmoil in the area. Thus, he moved and was made a part of the Federal Army of Texas (FAT) for helping putting down the progression of the Mexican Army. As a commissioned FAT officer, one of the first things that Juan did was to facilitate the defenders in taking back San Antonio from the control of Mexican soldiers. History presents significant proofs that Juan and his helpers participated in the San Antonio invasion. After San Antonio recapture, Juan was appointed as its judge making himself the main figure in the Texas Revolution. Juan's presence and actions continued throughout the independence struggle of the American settlers.
In 1836, Juan learnt about the Santa Anna's arrival along with his soldiers. Thus, he and other Mexicans in the area retreated in the Alamo. William Travis and his people also accompanied Juan and other American settlers. William Travis chose Juan and gave him a letter in which more troops were requested for defending themselves from the wrath of the larger Mexican Army. However, unfortunately, Alamo fell and all the refugees were killed by the time Juan went to Houston with the letter. Upon receiving this miserable news, Juan totally focused his attention towards giving military support to Houston. Under his guidance, more troops were assembled and a major faction of Juan's men was made responsible to protect the mass departure of American settlers near the river that touched San Antonio coast. On the other hand, another faction was made responsible to provide protection to the back of the Sam Houston force. Juan Seguin participated in the battle of Jacinto along with his mean and as a reward for their services, received great compliments and honor from Houston himself. According to Houston, Juan Seguin "commanded the only Mexican company who fought in the cause of Texas at the Battle of San Jacinto. His chivalrous and estimable conduct in the battle won for him my warmest regard and esteem"[footnoteRef:6]. [6: Harris, Charlie. Juan Seguin: A Teacher'sGuide. Texas: University of Texas Publishers, 2009. https://academics.utep.edu/Portals/1719/Publications/Seguin.pdf (accessed September 27, 2013).]

Juan continued his remarkable services to the new Texas states when he foretold the withdrawal of Santa Anna and his men back to Mexican land[footnoteRef:7]. Juan Seguin was, if truth be told, the only man who returned to the Alamo and buried the demised ashes in a proper ceremony arranged in a military manner. It won't be incorrect to state that Juan Seguin had a great impact on the state of Texas and the fate of Texans as his services before, during and after the Texas Revolution are inimitable. Juan made himself a prominently visible figure in the refurbishment of the new Texas state. He was nominated and got a seat in the Texas Senate and later was made the San Antonio Mayor. However, when more and more people started coming to Texas with the purpose of settlement in the state, Juan started receiving continuous resentment from the Texans. He was accused of being over-sympathetic for Mexicans. People also accused him of making it easier for the Mexicans to regain Texas and come in control. At last, Juan moved to Mexico in 1842 when he couldn't resist the malicious and hateful accusations against him to get him discredited[footnoteRef:8]. [7: Sorell, V.A. "A Triumph for Chicana/o Visual Art and Its Historiography." Art Journal (63) 2 (2004), http://www.questia.com/read/1P3-656179131/a-triumph-for-chicana-o-visual-art-and-its-historiography (accessed September 27, 2013).] [8: Harris, Charlie. Juan Seguin: A Teacher'sGuide. Texas: University of Texas Publishers, 2009. https://academics.utep.edu/Portals/1719/Publications/Seguin.pdf (accessed September 27, 2013).]

After an exile of more or less sixty years, Juan decided to return to Texas and continued his political career even though a lot of people still resented him for his past. However, with an honest heart and soul, Juan Seguin still wanted to render his services for the…