raharris1973
Well-known member
What if the Mexican Republic, by 1832 perhaps getting a little concerned with the growing Anglo-American community in Texas and its loyalty, decides that recruiting a more diverse immigrant stream than just this one connected to the Republic next door is a good idea.
Mexican leadership sees opportunity in Poland, which by 1831, just had an attempted national rising crushed by Russia. The Poles are Catholic and non-American, good qualifications for immigration to northern Mexico, and many are in exile post rebellion in countries like France or Britain and may be looking for a new place to settle down. Doubtless many more Poles at home do not relish a future under Russian rule. Some Poles have money, most do not. There are some international charities, mainly French-based, devoted to Poles that date back to the rebellion of 30-31, which can also help fund migrants passage and start up costs. Some of the Poles have military experience which has potential value even though their rebellion lost, c'mon, they held out well against a far larger Russia.
So what if advertising for Mexican Texas is done, and contacts are made, starting in 1832, and between then and 1836, some several thousand Poles including people from all walks of life, nobility, farmers, tradesmen, intellectuals, some clergy, soldiers, have migrated to Texas.
How might this new community factor in to the Texas revolution, especially if a contingent of them are hired on as part of the Mexican Army garrison when they immigrate? Might some Polish Texas community members spread out to other Mexican provinces across the Rio Grande, like Tamaulipas or Nuevo León, or west to Nuevo Mexico, or California? Should we expect them to be more loyal to the Mexican central government, or find common ground with the Texas rebels? Would they have objections to slavery practiced by Anglo-American neighbors, or assimilate into acceptance of it and participation in it if in an Anglo-Texan rebellion wins and that's the legal order in the new Texan republic?
Mexican leadership sees opportunity in Poland, which by 1831, just had an attempted national rising crushed by Russia. The Poles are Catholic and non-American, good qualifications for immigration to northern Mexico, and many are in exile post rebellion in countries like France or Britain and may be looking for a new place to settle down. Doubtless many more Poles at home do not relish a future under Russian rule. Some Poles have money, most do not. There are some international charities, mainly French-based, devoted to Poles that date back to the rebellion of 30-31, which can also help fund migrants passage and start up costs. Some of the Poles have military experience which has potential value even though their rebellion lost, c'mon, they held out well against a far larger Russia.
So what if advertising for Mexican Texas is done, and contacts are made, starting in 1832, and between then and 1836, some several thousand Poles including people from all walks of life, nobility, farmers, tradesmen, intellectuals, some clergy, soldiers, have migrated to Texas.
How might this new community factor in to the Texas revolution, especially if a contingent of them are hired on as part of the Mexican Army garrison when they immigrate? Might some Polish Texas community members spread out to other Mexican provinces across the Rio Grande, like Tamaulipas or Nuevo León, or west to Nuevo Mexico, or California? Should we expect them to be more loyal to the Mexican central government, or find common ground with the Texas rebels? Would they have objections to slavery practiced by Anglo-American neighbors, or assimilate into acceptance of it and participation in it if in an Anglo-Texan rebellion wins and that's the legal order in the new Texan republic?
