In the early nineteenth century, Texas was populated largely by Spaniards, Tejanos, and Texians. Spaniards were the most powerful caste and monopolized the prominent political and ecclesiastical offices. Tejanos were Hispanic residents of Texas who were culturally descended from Spanish-speaking settlers. Texians were Anglo-American residents who had sworn loyalty to Spain or Mexico. Juan Nepomuceno Seguín was a Tejano leader and supporter of Texas Independence (from Mexico). Seguín’s father was a respected civil servant in Bexar (San Antonio) who had a hand in the 1824 drafting of the Mexican Constitution. After Mexican Independence (from Spain), most of the Spanish left the region, leaving Tejanos and Texians to establish a new republican balance in their society. Bexar was one of the largest cities in Texas and had a large Tejano and Texian population. As a result of the Seguín family’s connection to republicanism, Juan Nepomuceno Seguín was a trusted member of both the Tejano and Texian communities and served as a local political official in Bexar for nearly a decade.