Issues Faced By the Republic of Texas 1836-1846

William Goyens Before the Revolution, some black Americans had come to Texas seeking the full citizenship offered by the Mexican government. William Goyens was a free African American blacksmith from North Carolina who had come to Texas and settled near Nacogdoches. During the Revolution, he negotiated treaties and served as a trusted interpreter for Sam Houston. He had respected relationships with the Native Americans, Tejanos and Anglos in Texas. Later in life, he amassed great wealth in real estate.

Sam Houston’s Political Career Begins… Having won the Battle of San Jacinto, Sam Houston was revered by his men. He had inspired courage into his soldiers at San Jacinto, and the election as First President of Texas was hugely successful due to his leadership skills. He won with 80% of the vote!

President Houston 1836 - 1838, 1841 - 1844 Frontier bold and popular Limited government spending Established peaceful relations with Mexico and Native Americans Encouraged annexation Beat Mirabeau Lamar both times elected

Stephen F. Austin Dies Appointed Secretary of State 43 years old Pneumonia “The Father of Texas is no more…The first pioneer of the wilderness has departed.” Sam Houston Proclaims a 30-day period of mourning

The Location of the Capital Supports Houston as the capital Named in honor of Sam Houston by the founders, the Allen Brothers People complained of muddy streets, crudely built buildings, and swarms of mosquitoes

Recognition As A Nation State The Republic was… NOT RECOGNIZED by Mexico RECOGNIZED by France, Great Britain, and the Netherlands starting in 1839 Houston thought if European countries recognized Texas, the United States would be interested in annexing.

Annexation to the U.S. Supported by Sam Houston Supported by most Texans Not supported by the United States until 1837 even though it could lead to western expansion U.S. was worried about damaging relationship with Mexico and tipping the balance of power of the U.S. slave states and debt.

Debt 1836 = $1.25 million Placed a tax on.. Imported goods (tariff) Property Businesses Land Title Fees Reduces army and eliminates the navy Houston worked hard at reducing the size of the government and collecting taxes, but by the end of the Republic, Texas was $10 million in debt!

Cordova Rebellion Many Tejanos resented Texas declaring itself independent from Mexico. At the same time, the Cherokee were angry that Americans were settling on their land after the revolution. A Tejano named Vincente Cordova raised a force of rebels with Mexico’s help and convinced the Cherokee to join his revolt. A brief rebellion broke out and the Anglos defeated Cordova’s group in March 1839. Cherokee leaders claimed they had not taken part in the rebellion, so President Houston took no action against them.

Relations with Mexico Peace 1842 - Mexico invades and takes control of San Antonio but retreats Results in a conflict in Austin over removal of archives known as the Archives War Texas Rangers protect the border Houston works hard at maintaining peace with Mexico

Relations With Native Americans Mostly peaceful Houston was sympathetic to the Native Americans because of his past relationship with them. Most Texans were not. Houston tried to negotiate a peace treaty with Cherokees, but it was not approved by Congress. Built frontier forts Used Texas Rangers to control attacks by Natives Chief Bowls, whom Houston tried to negotiate with fairly; Congress invalidated his treaty with the Chief’s people.

President Mirabeau Lamar 1838 - 1841 2nd President of Republic of TX Well-educated and refined Used military force against Mexico and Native Americans Wanted Texas to remain independent Promoted education Increased debt due to cost of conflicts and overspending

Debt Issued more paper money called “redbacks” worth 15 cents on the U.S. dollar Cost of Indian Wars - $2.5 million Financed the failed Santa Fe Expedition 2 million Kept Navy active and bought several ships $7 million in debt by the end of his term

New Capital Lamar disliked the present capital being named in honor of Sam Houston. Houston was designated the capital for only 3 years. Many thought the capital needed to be more centrally located. 1839 - Congress authorized Waterloo as the new capital. Waterloo renamed Austin in honor of Stephen F. Austin.

The Texas Navy President Lamar formed a navy with eight new ships to replace those lost in the war with Mexico. Edwin W. Moore came to Texas to become commodore to the Texas Navy. Moore won many victories against Mexico and helped the navy gain success during Lamar’s term.

Relations With Mexico 1841 Santa Fe Expedition Assisted Mexican rebels in a revolt against the government 1841 Santa Fe Expedition Sent troops without Congressional approval to Santa Fe (Mexico) to claim it as Texas territory The effort was unsuccessful, the Texans surrendered and were taken prisoner. The Mexicans marched the captured Texans back to Mexico and many died along the way. Negotiations freed the imprisoned Texans in 1842, and Lamar left office with an angry Congress.

Relations with Native Americans Wanted to kill or force them out of Texas When a treaty with Houston for Cherokee lands in Texas was invalidated by Congress, their Chief Bowles rose up in protest – Lamar sent the Texan army to attack the tribe and kill the Chief. Forced Cherokees to Oklahoma Large number of raids and kidnappings

Council House Fight Lamar also took action in West Texas where the Comanche continued to raid Texan Settlements. Several battles occurred between the Texas Rangers and Comanche Indians. In 1840, the Comanche sought a peace treaty. They agreed to meet Texan leaders and return white captives. The meeting took place at the San Antonio Council House. Comanche leaders arrived with only one captive, Matilda Lockhart. The Texas Rangers attempted to hold the Comanches hostage in exchange for the rest of the white captives. A fight broke out and resulted in the deaths of 7 Texans and 35 Comanches. As revenge, the Comanche tribe killed most of the remaining captives and continued killing settlers and livestock. Lamar had damaged relations with the Native Americans and they continued to suffer under his policies.

Education Texans listed failure to establish public schools as a complaint in the Declaration of Independence. Improving public education was President Lamar’s goal. Set aside 18,000 acres of land in each county for public schools Set aside 220,000 acres for two public universities Known as the “Father of Education in Texas”

President Houston’s 2nd Term When Houston was re-elected, he vowed to undo the damage done by Lamar’s term. Houston focused on cutting government costs and debt incurred by Mirabeau Lamar. He also set about repairing relations with the Native Americans and addressing annexation. In 1842, the Texans demanded Houston clear Mexican forces from north of the Rio Grande, so he sent General Somervell and volunteers to the area. With no sign of Mexican troops nearby, Sommervell turned home, however about 300 of his men refused to leave and invaded Mexico instead.

The Mier Expedition The 300 Texan soldiers crossed the Rio Grande and attacked the town of Mier. Mexican troops arrived and the Texans were outnumbered and forced to surrender. 176 soldiers escaped while being marched by to Mexico City, but were quickly recaptured. Santa Anna was back in power in Mexico and ordered every 10th imprisoned soldier to be executed as punishment. Prisoners were made to draw black and white beans from a jar. All 17 men who drew black beans were shot. Those who drew white beans were imprisoned in Mexico and released in 1844.

President Anson Jones 1844 - 1845 Fourth President of the Republic of TX Involved in the development of the Republic of Texas 1841 - Served under Sam Houston as Secretary of State Supported annexation, but remained quiet on the topic until a treaty of recognition of independence was reached with Mexico. Famously said, “The Republic of Tx is no more.”

Relations With Mexico Mexican government offered to recognize Texas independence if they rejected annexation. Mexico will consider war with the United States.

Annexation to the U.S. Ratified by the U.S. Congress December 29, 1845 Annexation ceremonies on the step of the capitol February 19, 1846 State government turned over to Governor James Pickney Henderson Becomes the 28th state “the final act in this great drama is now performed: the Republic of Texas is no more.” Farewell Address President Anson Jones

Republic of Texas 1836 - 1845