Chapter 12: A New Nation Section 3: Lamar’s Presidency

Bellwork What was Sam Houston’s American Indian policy?

Lamar in Office Mirabeau B. Lamar: elected second president of Texas in 1838 Vice President: David G. Burnet Mirabeau B. Lamar

Lamar in Office Made public education a priority Granted counties 17,712 acres of lands to support public schools Set aside 231,400 acres for starting two public universities

Lamar in Office 1840: Rutersville College opens Republic never established a public school system or universities Low land values Rutersville College

A New Capital Houston too far east Wanted to move capital to edge of Texas settlement Strengthen Republic's control of region

A New Capital 1839: Congress appoints a group to select new capital Waterloo, a village on Colorado River, selected Renamed Austin in honor of SFA

A New Capital Edwin Waller— laid out a new capital for Texas Capitol, government offices, streets, & homes built Judge Edwin Waller

A New Capital Some Texans disliked new capital: –Too isolated –Vulnerable to attack by Mexico –Comanche territory Texas Capitol

Land & Economic Policies Homestead Law—law passed in 1839 to protect a family’s home and up to 50 acres of land from seizure for debts Important as financial situation worsened

Land & Economic Policies Public debt increased Red backs—paper money issued by the Republic of Texas during Lamar's administrating to help stop an economic crisis Republic of Texas Currency

Land & Economic Policies Became worthless within three years Republic spent more than it collected in revenue Military spending rose from $881,000 under Houston to more than $1.5 million under Lamar

Lamar’s American Indian Policy Lamar disliked Indians and wanted them removed from Texas Believed Indians did not have a right to their lands 1839: Lamar orders Cherokee to leave Texas

Lamar’s American Indian Policy Cherokee refuse Lamar sends 500 soldiers Fighting breaks out—Battle of Neches

Lamar’s American Indian Policy Battle of Neches –100 Cherokee killed –Chief Bowles killed –Surviving Cherokee pursued north to Indian Territory Chief Bowles

Lamar’s American Indian Policy Conflict between Texan settlers and Comanche worsens Lamar orders attacks on Comanche Comanche agree to peace talks

Lamar’s American Indian Policy Texans order Comanche to bring all captives March 19, 1840: 65 Comanche arrive in San Antonio for peace talks Bring only a few captives

Lamar’s American Indian Policy Texans demand release of captives Comanche peace chief says he can not release captives Fighting breaks out

Lamar’s American Indian Policy Council House Fight—battle in 1840 between Texas and Comanche after the Comanche did not release all their captives 35 Comanche dead Comanche execute Texas captives

Lamar’s American Indian Policy Launch attacks against settlements Texans seek out Comanche Battle of Plum Creek: more than 130 Comanche killed

The Results of Lamar’s Policies Removed Cherokee from East Texas Comanche pushed farther north and west Land opened up for settlement

The Results of Lamar’s Policies Indians devastated Warfare cost Republic $2.5 million Lives lost National debt: increased from $3.3 million to more than $8 million

EducationEconomyLand PolicyIndians Action Result Action Result Action Result Action Result