1. Sam Houston Second Term Notes Challenges that Houston Faced… Texas was Bankrupt (unable to pay bills) Texas was Bankrupt (unable to pay bills) Indian raids still threaten frontier Indian raids still threaten frontier Disputes with Mexico Continued Disputes with Mexico Continued

2. Texas Economy Needed to decrease spending. He did this by: Needed to decrease spending. He did this by: Firing some workers Firing some workers Reducing Salaries of others Reducing Salaries of others Cut the size of the army Cut the size of the army Used Texas Rangers and Volunteers for Defense of the Nation Used Texas Rangers and Volunteers for Defense of the Nation Tried to raise money by selling the navy ships (built by Mirabeau Lamar) Tried to raise money by selling the navy ships (built by Mirabeau Lamar)

3. Results of Reform Attempts Houston did reduce spending, but the debt kept growing. Houston did reduce spending, but the debt kept growing. Selling of navy was unsuccessful because sailors kept ships at sea to keep Houston from selling them. Selling of navy was unsuccessful because sailors kept ships at sea to keep Houston from selling them.

4. Native American Affairs Houston wanted to keep peace with the Native Americans and stop the violence. Houston wanted to keep peace with the Native Americans and stop the violence. Made a peace treaty with the Caddoes – this allowed them to settle along the Brazos River. Made a peace treaty with the Caddoes – this allowed them to settle along the Brazos River. In return, they would convince hostile tribes to meet with Government officials. In return, they would convince hostile tribes to meet with Government officials. First met in March of 1843 First met in March of 1843 Agreed to stop all fighting of all Texas tribes against the Republic of Texas until all tribes could meet together in a Grand Council. Agreed to stop all fighting of all Texas tribes against the Republic of Texas until all tribes could meet together in a Grand Council.

5. Indian Affairs continued… Comanche and Wichita leaders refused to attend the meeting. Comanche and Wichita leaders refused to attend the meeting. The Grand Council continued to sign the peace treaty in September of 1843. The Grand Council continued to sign the peace treaty in September of 1843. Houston met with the Comanche leaders and convinced them to sign in October of 1843. Houston met with the Comanche leaders and convinced them to sign in October of 1843.

6. Continued Conflicts with Mexico Santa Anna was back in Mexico, and hoped to retake or harass Texas. Santa Anna was back in Mexico, and hoped to retake or harass Texas. Archives War in March of 1842 Archives War in March of 1842 Archives – A collection of important public documents such as Constitutions and records. Archives – A collection of important public documents such as Constitutions and records. Mexico invaded again, took the towns of Victoria, Goliad, and San Antonio. Mexico invaded again, took the towns of Victoria, Goliad, and San Antonio. Sam Houston knew Mexico was invading Texas again, so he moved the archives of Texas to Houston from Austin. Sam Houston knew Mexico was invading Texas again, so he moved the archives of Texas to Houston from Austin.

7. Conflict with Mexico Continued… People thought he was moving the capital, so they fought against the Texas Rangers trying to move the archives. People thought he was moving the capital, so they fought against the Texas Rangers trying to move the archives. A few days after Mexico took San Antonio, a Texas militia arrived only to find that Mexican troops had left the city. A few days after Mexico took San Antonio, a Texas militia arrived only to find that Mexican troops had left the city.

8. Conflict with Mexico Continued… Battle of Salado Creek Battle of Salado Creek Mexico attacked San Antonio again, hoping to prove that Texas couldn’t control its territory. Mexico attacked San Antonio again, hoping to prove that Texas couldn’t control its territory. Texan volunteers and militia were outnumbered by over 800 men. Texan volunteers and militia were outnumbered by over 800 men. The Texans lured the Mexicans into a trap, and defeated the Mexican Army. The Texans lured the Mexicans into a trap, and defeated the Mexican Army. Only one Texan died that day. Only one Texan died that day.

9. Conflict with Mexico continued… After the battle, 50 Texan Volunteers from LaGrange arrived. After the battle, 50 Texan Volunteers from LaGrange arrived. They ran into the Mexican force that had just been defeated. They ran into the Mexican force that had just been defeated. The Mexicans surrounded them, and did not accept their surrender. The Mexicans surrounded them, and did not accept their surrender. The men were massacred in a fight called “the Dawson’s Massacre” The men were massacred in a fight called “the Dawson’s Massacre”

10. Texas’ Response to the Invasion Texans wanted Revenge on Mexico for the Invasion… Texans wanted Revenge on Mexico for the Invasion… Houston sent General Alexander Somervell to scout and see if Mexico had left Texas. Houston sent General Alexander Somervell to scout and see if Mexico had left Texas. They were to invade Mexico only if they thought they could win. They were to invade Mexico only if they thought they could win. He did not invade, but could not prevent his troops from rioting and looting Laredo (town in Texas). He did not invade, but could not prevent his troops from rioting and looting Laredo (town in Texas).

11. Texas’ Response 300 of Somervell’s men did not follow him when he retreated to Gonzales. 300 of Somervell’s men did not follow him when he retreated to Gonzales. These men stayed under the command of a man named William Fisher. These men stayed under the command of a man named William Fisher. They attacked the town of Mier, where they fought bravely but were defeated. They attacked the town of Mier, where they fought bravely but were defeated. 176 Men were captured by Mexican forces, and 17 were executed in the “Black Bean Episode” 176 Men were captured by Mexican forces, and 17 were executed in the “Black Bean Episode”

12. Black Bean Episode Men drew beans out of a can. There were 159 white beans, and 17 black beans. Men drew beans out of a can. There were 159 white beans, and 17 black beans. The men who drew the black beans were executed by Mexico. The men who drew the black beans were executed by Mexico. It was a common practice by them to execute 10% of prisoners as a message. It was a common practice by them to execute 10% of prisoners as a message.