12.2 Houston’s First Term

Houston’s Administration Houston became the first popularly elected president of the Republic of Texas on October 22, 1836. In has inaugural address, Houston laid out his goals. Peace with American Indians The need to stay alert and guard against a Mexican attack Expressed hope for Texas annexation to the United States

Houston’s Administration Houston’s cabinet (executive department heads to assist him) Secretary of State: Stephen F. Austin Secretary of the Treasury: Henry Smiith Secretary of War: Thomas Rusk Secretary of the Navy: Samuel Rhodes Fisher

Houston’s Administration Stephen F. Austin served the Republic for only a few months. As a result of overwork and exposure to cold, he developed pneumonia. On December 27, 1836, Austin died at the age of 43. Houston issued the statement “The father of Texas is no more. The first pioneer of the wilderness has departed.” Houston ordered a 30 period of mourning to honor Austin.

Houston’s Administration The court system was formed as required by the Constitution. The Congress set up A Supreme Court 4 district courts 23 county courts and justice courts James Collinsworth, Texas first Supreme Court Justice

Houston’s Administration Another order of business was to specify the Republic’s boundaries. To the south and west, the congress claimed the Rio Grande as the border. The Mexican government did not recognize this border. Many people who lived south and west of the Nueces River still considered themselves Mexicans.

Houston’s Administration Selecting a capital was also an issue. Ad interim President Burnet, moved the capital from Velasco to Columbia and officials found the town too small. John and Augustus Allen had recently founded a town near Harrisburg on the Buffalo Bayou and named it in honor of Houston. In late 1836, the Congress named Houston the temporary capital.

Houston and Army Unrest The new government faced a challenge from its own army. Many volunteers from the U.S. who arrived to late to fight in the revolution were still eager for action. Felix Huston, the army’s commander and many others wanted to invade Mexico. Houston considered the move too risky. Republic of Texas soldiers

Houston and Army Unrest To stop the growing unrest, Houston replaced Huston with Albert Sidney Johnston. This only led to more conflict. The decision angered Huston, and he challenged Johnston to a duel and severely wounded him. With Johnston unable to take command, unrest in the army grew. Albert Sidney Johnston

Houston and Army Unrest One commander urged the soldiers to march on the capital to cause trouble. To regain control, Houston placed all but 600 troops on leave and never recalled them. For defense and frontier protection, Houston relied on militia companies and the Texas Rangers. Texas Rangers

Economic Policies The new nation had serious financial problems. Its spending far exceeded its income. When Houston took office, the Republic had a debt of $1.25 million dollars. The new nation collected taxes and placed customs duties on imported goods. Texas officials tried to get loans from the U.S. The Republic also put public lands for sale. Despite these efforts, the debt increased.

Economic Policies A political cartoon laments unemployment brought on by the Panic of 1837 The U.S. experienced a financial crisis in 1837. This Panic of 1837, led to an economic depression. Texas traded heavily with the U.S. and soon felt the effects. Business slowed and goods became scarce..

Economic Policies The Republics limited money supply posed another problem. The government printed more money, but had no gold or silver to back it up. Texas manufactured few goods and had to import many items. As debt grew, confidence for the government fell and the value of its money dropped

Land Policy Under Houston Although the Republic was in debt, it was rich in land. In 1836, Texas claimed more than 200 million acres of public land. The Constitution of 1836, povided for a land policy based on the Spanish, Mexican and southern U.S. practices.

Land Policy Under Houston Heads of families living in Texas on March 2, 1836 – excluding African Americans and American Indians– were guaranteed 4,606 acres. Single men aged 17 and over were guaranteed 1,476 acres. Veterans of the Texas Revolution was given more land. Later laws provided smaller land grants to new settlers. In all, the Republic distributed 37 million acres under this land policy.

Land Policy Under Houston To encourage immigration, the Republic established a colonization policy in the early 1840’s. Based on the Mexican empresario system, this policy gave agents contracts to settle immigrants in Texas. The Republic distributed another 4.5 million acres under this system.

Houston’s American Indian Policy As settlements spread on to American Indian land, many conflicts arose. American Indians wanted to keep their land, but many Texans wanted to remove them from Texas – by force if necessary. President Houston opposed such action and supported a peaceful solution. He wanted to avoid a full-scale Indian war, which the Republic could not afford.

Houston’s American Indian Policy Houston sympathized with the Indian’s desire to control their land. During the Revolution, Houston had negotiated a treaty with the Cherokee guaranteeing title and control of land in East Texas. The Texas Senate refused to ratify the treaty and Mexican agents convinced some of them to fight the Texans.

Houston’s American Indian Policy President Houston urged the Cherokee and wrote to their leader, Chief Bowles, to be patient and told them that he would try and help them hold on to their land. Houston set aside land for the Cherokee in an attempt to keep the peace. This angered many Texas settlers who wanted land and viewed the Cherokee as Mexican allies. Texas Cherokee

Houston’s American Indian Policy Chief Bowles agreed to help Texas officials establish peace with Plains Indians to the west, where fighting had increased. The Comanche, Kiowa, Wichita and other Plains Indians viewed these newcomers as invaders and attacked them. Comanche and Kiowa forces attacked Fort Parker and killed most of the 34 residents and took five captives Chief Bowles and Sam Houston

Houston’s American Indian Policy Houston and the Congress developed an American Indian policy to reduce conflicts and protect Texas settlers. The policy established a line of forts along the frontier and encouraged trade with the Indians. It was hoped that the policy would promote peace and friendship. While the Texas Rangers patrolled the frontier, Houston tried to negotiate and sign treaties with Texas Indians. Texas Rangers on the Frontier

Houston’s American Indian Policy Houston attempted to make peace with each American Indian group in Texas. He was one of the few Texas leaders who believed that Indians and settlers could live together in peace. Most Texans in the Republic disagreed and preferred to remove the Indians from Texas. Some Texans believed that Houston’s policy was slowing westward expansion.