Houston’s 2 nd Texas Presidency Title: Houston Regains Presidency (Chapter 12, Section 3) Title: Houston Regains Presidency (Chapter 12, Section 3) Main Idea: Sam Houston’s return to the presidency signaled a change in the government’s economic and Native American policies. His main focus was to return peace, decrease the public debt, and prepare Texas for statehood. Main Idea: Sam Houston’s return to the presidency signaled a change in the government’s economic and Native American policies. His main focus was to return peace, decrease the public debt, and prepare Texas for statehood.

A Policy Of Economy a. Houston regained the presidency in It was his second term as president of Texas. b. To reduce debt, he cut government jobs and reduced the size of the army. c. He tried to sell Navy ships, but angry citizens of Galveston prevented the sale. d. Houston dishonorably discharged and court-martialed Edwin W. Moore, Commodore of the Texas Navy, for aiding Mexican rebels by blockading Mexican coast. e. Despite these attempts to cut costs, the debt of the republic increased, largely because of the high interest that had to be paid.

The Texas Navy

A Temporary Peace a. Houston also renewed work for peaceful and fair dealings with the Native Americans. b. Houston appointed William Goyens, a free African American and successful businessman, as an agent to negotiate peace treaties with the Cherokees. He also served as an interpreter; he spoke Spanish and several Native American languages.

Houston and Goyens

Woll Invades Texas a. In September 1842, a Mexican army of 1,400 soldiers led by General Woll invaded Texas and occupied San Antonio. b. The Texas Rangers and Texas militia responded and drove them out of Texas after some heavy fighting. c. One of the best-known Texas Rangers, was Jack Coffee Hays, a surveyor of the Republic of Texas, and a captain of a Texas Ranger company during the Lamar and Houston’s presidencies.

Jack Coffee Hays – Texas Ranger

The Mier Expedition a. In November 1842, Houston ordered Texas General Somervell and 750 troops to patrol the border area from San Antonio to Laredo. b. After finding no trace of the Mexican army, Somervell ordered his troops back to Gonzales (headquarters for the Texas army).

The Mier Expedition c. 300 men led by Colonel Fisher mutinied by attacking the Mexican town of Mier. d. Result? The Mexican army of 900 men led by General Ampudia outnumbered the Texans and forced them to surrender after two days of fighting.

The Drawing Of The Beans a. As Texas captives were marched to Mexico City, some escaped, but later died from starvation and exposure. The rest were recaptured. b. Santa Anna, now back in power, ordered their punishment. c. Of the 176 men recaptured, 17 were to die.

The Drawing Of The Beans d. To determine which men were to be executed, each prisoner drew a bean from a jar containing white and black beans. Those who drew a black bean were shot. e. The rest of the prisoners were transferred to a prison in Vera Cruz.