Navarro, José Antonio, 1795-1871

Born in San Antonio to an aristocratic mother and a successful merchant as well as alcalde of the city, José Antonio Navarro (1795-1871) became the most influential Tejano of his generation.

As a young man Navarro supported the Gutierrez-Magee expedition, which aimed to seize Texas from Spanish rule. However, the attempt failed and Navarro fled to the United States to avoid execution. He returned to Texas in 1816, believing the brightest future for Texas lay with Anglo-American colonization. Navarro began his political career, first winning a seat in the state legislature of Coahuila y Tejas and later to the national congress. As a politician, Navarro advocated pro-colonization policies and Texas statehood in Mexico. During the Texas Revolution Navarro broke with Mexico and was elected to represent San Antonio at the Convention for Texas Independence. Additionally, he was one of three Mexicans to sign the Declaration of Independence and helping draft the Constitution of the Republic of Texas.

...