Stephen F. Austin was arrested primarily due to his opposition to Santa Anna's centralized rule and his calls for greater autonomy for the Texian settlers in Mexican Texas. In 1833, Austin traveled to Mexico City to present a petition for statehood for Texas, but it was denied. Disillusioned with the central government's disregard for the rights of Texans, he wrote a letter in December 1833 encouraging Texans to form a provisional government and promised to support it. This letter fell into the hands of Mexican officials, who saw it as a direct challenge to their authority. Thus, in January 1834, Austin was arrested by Mexican authorities, accusing him of treason and inciting rebellion.
