Chapter 12 The Republic of Texas Section 2 Lamar Becomes President

Highlights of Lamar’s Presidency 1836- The New Texas Republic begins Mirabeau Lamar is remembered for the following reasons- Opposing annexation Relocating the state capital to Austin Favoring Texas expanding westward Developing the Educational system in Texas Called the “father of Education”

Mirabeau Lamar Becomes President 1836 constitution stated that the president could not serve consecutive terms. Houston was not reelected when his term ended in 1838. Mirabeau B. Lamar, was elected president, he had served as vice-president under Houston. He opposed annexation even though most Texans favored it because the debt of the Republic would be paid. Believed Texas would eventually be a great and powerful nation that would extend to the Pacific Ocean.

Mirabeau Lamar Becomes President He wanted to improve education. “A cultivated mind is the guardian genius of Democracy, and while guided and controlled by virtue, the noblest attribute to man.” Congress set aside 18,000 acres for public schools to be built. Called the “Father of Education in Texas” Today it’s the state government who is responsible for public education.

The Capital is Moved to Austin Houston served as the capital until another site was chosen. 1839, congress approved a cite near the Colorado River, Austin in honor of Stephen F. Austin and it was also centrally located in the state. Government appointed Edwin Waller to lay out the streets and construct a capitol on the site.

Lamar’s Policy Toward Native Americans He reserved Sam Houston’s policy toward Native Americans. Lamar believed they had no fair claim to the Texas lands they occupied. Lamar ordered removal of the Cherokees from Texas in 1839-summer. In fear the Mexicans were trying to stir them up.

Lamar’s Policy Toward Native Americans Lamar in placed Texas Rangers to serves as protectors for the Texans from the Native American Indians. Texas army attacked Cherokees near the Neches River not far from present day Tyler. Several Texan and 100 Cherokees were killed. Army burned Cherokee villages. Surviving Cherokees were forced across the Red River out of Texas.

Reading Check! How did President Lamar view Cherokee ownership of land? He believed the Cherokees had no claim to lands they occupied. Who was called the “father of education in Texas?” M. Lamar. How many consecutive terms could a Texan president serve? None. Who was the second president of Texas? Can you think of any other important questions?

Raids Lead to Council House Fight 1838-1839 Comanche's raided several outlying settlements. Comanche's and met with Texans along the Colorado River. San Antonio, 1840 the hopes for peace had vanished. Comanche's gave up only one captive, Matilda Lockhart, who had been severely beaten. She told authorities there were others captive in the hills west of San Antonio. Council House Fight- Natives refused to give up their captives- 7 Texans and 35 Comanche died.

Raids Lead to Council House Fight Historian called the Council House Fight “the greatest blunder in the history of Texan-Native American relations,” because after the incident the Comanches refused to make treaties with Texans. News of daring raids by the Kiowas and Comanches under the command of Buffalo Hump spread quickly throughout Texas. Volunteers gathered, commanded by Edward Burleson. Ben McCulloch led a group of Texas Rangers. At Plum Creek, Texans encountered a Comanche party; Texans killed nearly 100 Comanches and lost only one of their own men. Many more attacks would take place and many Comanches lost their life. Eventually they would retreat toward the area of the Red River.

Texas Rebuilds Its Navy Lamar believed that having a strong military would force Mexico to recognize the Republic of Texas. Lamar ordered newly restored navy into Mexican waters. Texan navy would promise not to harass Mexican ships if they would recognize them as a republic. Houston regained presidency in 1841, he recalled the navy. Houston’s popularity was attributed to his leadership skills by the Texans.

The Santa Fe Expedition Lamar sent an expedition to Santa Fe to control the region and open trade with New Mexico. Santa Fe expedition- consisting of soldiers, merchants, wagon drivers and adventurers, began its trek on June 19, 1841 from a camp near Austin. Many hardships- lack of food and exhaustion. Neared Santa Fe- Mexicans forced them to surrender and survivors marched 1000 miles to Mexico and many died along the way. Survivors were released in April 1842, after British and American diplomats worked for their release. Santa Fe expedition was a failure in many ways.

Financial Difficulties Lamar’s campaigns were costly, both in terms of colonists and Native Americans killed and in money. Indian wars- $25 million Lamar’s extravagant expenses- expeditions, reorganizing Texas navy, ships, kept navy on active duty in Gulf of Mexico. He failed to borrow money from the US and other European nations. Redbacks- additional money paper eventually shrank in value. End of presidency- dollar was worth 15 cents in Texas and they had a 7 million dollar debt.

Problems that the New Republic Faced… Lack of recognition as nation by other countries Accumulated war debt Habitual conflicts with the Native American Indians

Reading Check! Why did Lamar face financial difficulties? Lamar spent millions fighting Native Americans and reorganizing the Texas navy. He also failed in his attempts to borrow from the US and European governments and to back up paper money. Why was Houston not reelected when his first term ended in 1838? The constitution of 1836 banned consecutive terms for president. Can you think of any important questions?