The Republic of Texas Sam Houstons Government In September 1836, Texans elected Sam Houston as the first president of Texas and Mirabeau Lamar as the first vice-president. * Houston also named Stephen F. Austin as secretary of state, but he served only a few weeks. Austin died of pneumonia on December 27 at the age of 43. * President Houston declared that the Father of Texas is no more. The first pioneer of the wilderness has departed. Annexation to the United States did not come easily. Mexico refused to recognize Texass independence. The U.S. government did not want to annex Texas if it meant damaging relations with Mexico. * Another problem was slavery. Many anti- slavery groups in the U.S. were against annexation because Texas would join the Union and tip the balance of power in the U.S. Senate towards the slave states. CAPITAL * John and Augustus Allen had founded Houston, on Buffalo Bayou. * The Allens promised to build a handsome city if Congress would locate the capital there. * In 1836, Congress designated Houston as the capital for three years. * The decision on a permanent site was delayed. RELATIONSHIP WITH MEXICO * Santa Anna was released in November, 1836, and returned to Mexico. Some Texans hoped this would lead to better relations with Mexico. * Santa Anna, however, renounced all promises he had made in the Treaty of Velasco. * Mexico still did not recognize the Republic of Texas. * Mexico invaded Texas again during Houstons second term as president. More Trouble From Santa Anna ARMED FORCES Shortly after the Battle of San Jacinto, many soldiers and adventurers had arrived too late to fight. They still wanted action, however, and some called for an invasion of Mexico. Houston wanted no part in this. A war would be costly and could mean an end to the new republic. Houston solved the problem by sending all but 600 soldiers home on leave. He never recalled them to duty. Annexation Texans had approved the proposal that Texas join the United States, and Houston worked to that end. * Most Texans had immigrated from the U.S. and wanted U.S. protection. * Texas and the U.S. had strong cultural ties. + FINANCES: TEXAS DEBT SOARS Like many developing nations, the Republic of Texas had money problems. Expenditures, or money paid out, were much greater than revenue, or money received. Congress took steps to raise money. It placed a tariff, or tax, on various goods imported into Texas. It also imposed property, business, and land title taxes, but these were difficult to collect. U. S. Recognition of the Republic of Texas William H. Wharton and Memucan Hunt were sent to the United States to work for Texas recognition and annexation. Official recognition of Texas granted on March 3, 1837. European Recognition of Texas J. Pinckney Henderson was sent to negotiate with European powers. Three European countries that formally recognized the Republic of Texas: France Great Britain The Netherlands FINANCES During Houstons first term as president, the national debt soared from $1.25 million to $2 million. During Houstons second term, the debt again soared due to interest on loans. Houston did his best to reduce this debt by reducing spending and cutting the size of the army and the government. INDIAN RELATIONS As more Anglo Americans settled in central Texas, Native Americans resented the newcomers settling on their hunting grounds. They began a series of raids that killed many settlers. Sam Houston tried to improve relations with Indian tribes with treaties and protection of Indian lands. Houston also promised Cherokees in East Texas titles to their land in exchange for staying neutral in the war with Mexico. Cynthia Ann Parker was captured by Comanche warriors in Most of her family was killed. Eleven year-old Cynthia was raised as a Comanche, married a chief, Peta Nocona, and raised a family. Her son, Quanah, became a great warrior and chief. 24 years later, Cynthia was taken back to her family, but she never adjusted to the white world. She died of a broken heart. Mirabeau Lamars Government The Constitution of 1836 stated that the president could not serve consecutive terms; therefore Houston could not be reelected when his term ended in Texans elected Mirabeau Lamar, who had served as vice-president under Houston. ANNEXATION Unlike Houston, Lamar opposed annexation. He had great hopes for Texas, and believed that one day Texas would be a powerful, independent nation that would extend all the way to the Pacific Ocean. EDUCATION Improving education was one of President Lamars goals. As did Thomas Jefferson, Lamar believed that citizens of a republic must be educated so that they could make intelligent decisions. During Lamars term, Congress created an endowment fund as a source of income for public education. Approximately 250,000 acres of land (18,000 acres in each county) was reserved to support public education and two universities. In 1900, oil was discovered on this property, and its value multiplied. Because of Lamars efforts, he is sometimes called The Father of Texas Education. CAPITAL It had been agreed that the city of Houston would serve as capital only until another site was chosen. In 1839, Congress approved a site on the Colorado River by the village of Waterloo. Streets were laid out by Edwin Waller, and construction of a capital began. The town was named Austin, in honor of Stephen F. Austin. Capitol in 1875 Austin in 1875 Capitol RELATIONSHIP WITH MEXICO Lamar thought that having a strong military would force Mexico to recognize the Republic of Texas. He ordered ships to be bought and used them to harass Mexican ships in Mexican waters. These ships also aided rebels in an area of Mexico fighting for its independence. If Mexico would recognize the Republic of Texas, Texas would recall its ships and harass no more. Lamar also sent an expedition to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to control the region and establish trade there. As the expedition neared Santa Fe, a Mexican army detachment forced the tired members to surrender. Most of these men died on the 1,000 mile march to Mexico City or perished in the Mexican prison. The Santa Fe Expedition The expedition was a failure in many ways because it angered the Mexicans, resulted in the loss of many lives, and failed to take control of Santa Fe. Armed Forces During his administration, Lamar strengthened the navy with the addition of new ships and an increase in the size of its army. FINANCIAL Lamar was known for his extravagant spending. His campaigns against Mexico and the Native Americans were costly, and during his administration, the national debt rose to $7 million. Lamar spent $2.5 million on the Indian Wars during his three years in office. In addition, Lamar failed in his attempts to borrow money from the U.S. and European nations. Additional paper money, known as redbacks, was printed, but quickly shrank in value. By the end of Lamars term, a paper dollar was worth about 15 cents. Many Texans were becoming concerned about the increasing national debt. RELATIONS WITH INDIANS Lamar reversed Sam Houstons policy toward the Native Americans. He believed that the Cherokees had no fair claim to the land they occupied in East Texas, and ordered their removal in The Texas Army attacked and burned Cherokee villages and farms, killing nearly 100 settlers. Among the dead was Chief Bowles, Sam Houstons friend. Houston had earlier promised his people titles to their land if they would remain neutral during the Texas Revolution. The Cherokees were forced from their land and moved across the Red River. Lamars dealings with the Comanche Indians was just as bad. In one incident, Texans tried to take Comanche negotiators as hostages. Seven Texans and 35 Comanches died in the fight. After this, the Comanches refused to make treaties with the Texans, and years of bitter warfare resulted. Sam Houston Regains the Presidency Houston Regains Presidency In 1841, Sam Houston defeated Lamars chosen successor David G. Burnet for the presidency. He disliked Lamars policies and programs and wanted to undo the damage he felt had been done to Texas. A Policy of Economy A.Houston eliminated many government positions and cut the size of the army. B.He sold navy ships to Galveston citizens and accepted them back as gifts. A Temporary Peace A.Houston tried to renew peaceful and fair dealings with the Native Americans. B.Treaties signed with various Native Americans guaranteed peace for several years. Chief Quanah Parker The Archives War In 1842, 500 Mexican soldiers invaded Texas and occupied San Antonio. President Houston declared a public emergency & tried to save the government archives by moving them from Austin to Houston. The Archives War Many Austin residents suspected that Houston intended to move the capital back to Houston permanently. Some Austin residents, led by Angelina Eberly, fired on them. The capital and the archives remained in Austin. Mexican Invasion The Santa Fe Expedition produced a response from Mexico. In 1842, the Mexican army twice invaded Texas. For a brief period, they occupied the towns of San Antonio, Goliad, and Refugio. At least 35 Texans were killed before they drove the Mexican army out of Texas. Thirty-five Texas soldiers were buried on Monument Hill near La Grange. The Mier Expedition A.The invasion by Mexico angered Texans. They demanded that Houston take action to protect the republic. B.Houston ordered a militia of 750 soldiers to patrol the area from San Antonio to Laredo. C.There were no signs of Mexican troops, so General Somervell ordered his soldiers back to Gonzales. The Mier Expedition About 300 of the soldiers balked at the decision to leave the border. They moved down the Rio Grande and attacked the Mexican village of Mier. The Texans were overpowered by a much larger force of Mexican soldiers, and were forced to surrender. What does the Mier Expedition tell you about the Texas Militia? Many of them were so eager for a battle that a group of independent-minded members disobeyed orders and caused their own capture. The Drawing of the Black Beans A.The Mexican Army marched the captives to Mexico City. B.Santa Anna had ordered every 10 th Texan in captivity to die. That turned out to be 17 men. C.A prisoner drawing a black bean would be executed while those who drew a white bean would be imprisoned in Mexico City. Should Texas be annexed to the United States? Arguments FOR Annexation A. Settlers could settle in and farm Texass rich, fertile land. B.Manifest Destiny, was a popular idea. Most Americans believed that the U.S. was destined to expand from coast to coast. C. Many more American settlers had settled in Texas and had strong ties. D. Texans wanted protection from Mexico. Reasons AGAINST Annexation A. The annexation of Texas might benefit southern slaveholders. B.It might cause war with Mexico. Congress Approves Annexation The U.S. Senate needed a 2/3 majority vote to annex Texas. When they could not get that vote, Congress proposed a joint resolution. Only a simple majority (51%) of each house in Congress was needed for the resolution to become law. On February 28, 1845, Congress passed a joint resolution to annex Texas. Texas could become a state as soon as its people approved annexation and adopted a state constitution. Texans Approve Annexation On October 13, 1845, Texas approved annexation by a vote of 4,254 to 257. On December 29, President Polk signed the resolution that made Texas a state. The Republic of Texas is no more On February 19, 1846, at a ceremony in front of the Texas capitol, Anson Jones, the fourth and last president of the republic, turned over the government to J. Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of the state. Anson Jones The last president of Texas J. Pinckney Henderson The first governor of Texas President Jones closed his farewell address by declaring that the final act in this great drama is now performed: the Republic of Texas is no more. The Lone Star flag was lowered and the Stars and Stripes was raised. Texas officially became the 28 th state in the United States of America. Texas The Lone Star State