Houston’s 2nd Texas Presidency 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.

A Policy Of Economy To reduce debt, he cut government jobs and reduced the size of the army. He sold Navy ships to Galveston citizens who gave them back as gifts. WHY? Houston dishonorably discharged and court-martialed Edwin W. Moore, Commodore of the Texas Navy, for aiding Mexican rebels by blockading Mexican coast. Despite these attempts to cut costs, the debt of the republic increased, largely because of the high interest that had to be paid. Edwin W. Moore

William Goyen’s Headstone Peace Renewed Houston also renewed work for peaceful and fair dealings with the Native Americans. 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. The treaties ensured calm for several years. William Goyen’s Headstone

Eberly Statue in Austin, TX The Archives War A Mexican Army of 500 occupied San Antonio, Goliad, and Refugio. Houston ordered the government archives moved to Houston. A group of Austin residents, led by Angelina Eberly, engaged in a skirmish with Texas officials who tried to move the archives from Austin. Overall, the archives AND the capital stayed in Austin. Eberly Statue in Austin, TX

The Woll Invasion In September 1842, a Mexican army of 1,400 soldiers led by General Adrian Woll invaded Texas and occupied San Antonio. The Texas Rangers and Texas militia responded and drove them out of Texas after some heavy fighting. 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

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

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

Santa Anna’s Revenge As Texas captives were marched to Mexico City, some escaped, but later died from starvation and exposure. The rest were recaptured. Santa Anna, now back in power, ordered every 10th Texan in captivity executed. Of the 176 men recaptured, 17 were to die. General Santa Anna

The Drawing Of The Beans 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 executed. The rest of the prisoners who drew white beans were transferred to a prison in Vera Cruz.