1. Issues Faced By the Republic of Texas

2. William Goyens
Before the Revolution, some black Americans had come to Texas seeking the full citizenship offered by the Mexican government.
William Goyens was a free African American blacksmith from North Carolina who had come to Texas and settled near Nacogdoches.
During the Revolution, he negotiated treaties and served as a trusted interpreter for Sam Houston.
He had respected relationships with the Native Americans, Tejanos and Anglos in Texas. Later in life, he amassed great wealth in real estate.

3. Sam Houston’s Political Career Begins…
Having won the Battle of San Jacinto, Sam Houston was revered by his men. He had inspired courage into his soldiers at San Jacinto, and the election as First President of Texas was hugely successful due to his leadership skills. He won with 80% of the vote!

4. President Houston 1836 - 1838, 1841 - 1844 Frontier bold and popular
Limited government spending
Established peaceful relations with Mexico and Native Americans
Encouraged annexation
Beat Mirabeau Lamar both times elected

5. Stephen F. Austin Dies Appointed Secretary of State 43 years old
Pneumonia
“The Father of Texas is no more…The first pioneer of the wilderness has departed.” Sam Houston
Proclaims a 30-day period of mourning

6. The Location of the Capital
Supports Houston as the capital
Named in honor of Sam Houston by the founders, the Allen Brothers
People complained of muddy streets, crudely built buildings, and swarms of mosquitoes

7. Recognition As A Nation State
The Republic was…
NOT RECOGNIZED by Mexico
RECOGNIZED by France, Great Britain, and the Netherlands starting in 1839
Houston thought if European countries recognized Texas, the United States would be interested in annexing.

8. Annexation to the U.S. Supported by Sam Houston
Supported by most Texans
Not supported by the United States until 1837 even though it could lead to western expansion
U.S. was worried about damaging relationship with Mexico and tipping the balance of power of the U.S. slave states and debt.

9. Debt 1836 = $1.25 million Placed a tax on.. Imported goods (tariff)
Property
Businesses
Land Title Fees
Reduces army and eliminates the navy
Houston worked hard at reducing the size of the government and collecting taxes, but by the end of the Republic, Texas was $10 million in debt!

10. Cordova Rebellion
Many Tejanos resented Texas declaring itself independent from Mexico. At the same time, the Cherokee were angry that Americans were settling on their land after the revolution.
A Tejano named Vincente Cordova raised a force of rebels with Mexico’s help and convinced the Cherokee to join his revolt.
A brief rebellion broke out and the Anglos defeated Cordova’s group in March 1839.
Cherokee leaders claimed they had not taken part in the rebellion, so President Houston took no action against them.

11. Relations with Mexico Peace
Mexico invades and takes control of San Antonio but retreats
Results in a conflict in Austin over removal of archives known as the Archives War
Texas Rangers protect the border
Houston works hard at maintaining peace with Mexico

12. Relations With Native Americans
Mostly peaceful
Houston was sympathetic to the Native Americans because of his past relationship with them. Most Texans were not.
Houston tried to negotiate a peace treaty with Cherokees, but it was not approved by Congress.
Built frontier forts
Used Texas Rangers to control attacks by Natives
Chief Bowls, whom Houston tried
to negotiate with fairly; Congress invalidated his treaty with
the Chief’s people.

13. President Mirabeau Lamar 1838 - 1841
2nd President of Republic of TX
Well-educated and refined
Used military force against Mexico and Native Americans
Wanted Texas to remain independent
Promoted education
Increased debt due to cost of conflicts and overspending

14. Debt
Issued more paper money called “redbacks” worth 15 cents on the U.S. dollar
Cost of Indian Wars - $2.5 million
Financed the failed Santa Fe Expedition 2 million
Kept Navy active and bought several ships
$7 million in debt by the end of his term

15. New Capital
Lamar disliked the present capital being named in honor of Sam Houston.
Houston was designated the capital for only 3 years.
Many thought the capital needed to be more centrally located.
Congress authorized Waterloo as the new capital.
Waterloo renamed Austin in honor of Stephen F. Austin.

16. The Texas Navy
President Lamar formed a navy with eight new ships to replace those lost in the war with Mexico.
Edwin W. Moore came to Texas to become commodore to the Texas Navy.
Moore won many victories against Mexico and helped the navy gain success during Lamar’s term.

17. Relations With Mexico 1841 Santa Fe Expedition
Assisted Mexican rebels in a revolt against the government
1841 Santa Fe Expedition
Sent troops without Congressional approval to Santa Fe (Mexico) to claim it as Texas territory
The effort was unsuccessful, the Texans surrendered and were taken prisoner. The Mexicans marched the captured Texans back to Mexico and many died along the way. Negotiations freed the imprisoned Texans in 1842, and Lamar left office with an angry Congress.

18. Relations with Native Americans
Wanted to kill or force them out of Texas
When a treaty with Houston for Cherokee lands in Texas was invalidated by Congress, their Chief Bowles rose up in protest – Lamar sent the Texan army to attack the tribe and kill the Chief.
Forced Cherokees to Oklahoma
Large number of raids and kidnappings

19. Council House Fight Lamar also took action in West
Texas where the Comanche
continued to raid Texan
Settlements. Several battles
occurred between the Texas
Rangers and Comanche Indians.
In 1840, the Comanche sought a
peace treaty. They agreed to meet
Texan leaders and return white captives.
The meeting took place at the San Antonio Council House. Comanche leaders arrived with only one captive, Matilda Lockhart. The Texas Rangers attempted to hold the Comanches hostage in exchange for the rest of the white captives. A fight broke out and resulted in the deaths of 7 Texans and 35 Comanches. As revenge, the Comanche tribe killed most of the remaining captives and continued killing settlers and livestock. Lamar had damaged relations with the Native Americans and they continued to suffer under his policies.

20. Education
Texans listed failure to establish public schools as a complaint in the Declaration of Independence.
Improving public education was President Lamar’s goal.
Set aside 18,000 acres of land in each county for public schools
Set aside 220,000 acres for two public universities
Known as the “Father of Education in Texas”

21. President Houston’s 2nd Term
When Houston was re-elected, he vowed to undo the damage done by Lamar’s term.
Houston focused on cutting government costs and debt incurred by Mirabeau Lamar. He also set about repairing relations with the Native Americans and addressing annexation.
In 1842, the Texans demanded Houston clear Mexican forces from north of the Rio Grande, so he sent General Somervell and volunteers to the area. With no sign of Mexican troops nearby, Sommervell turned home, however about 300 of his men refused to leave and invaded Mexico instead.

22. The Mier Expedition The 300 Texan soldiers crossed the Rio Grande and
attacked the town of Mier.
Mexican troops arrived and
the Texans were outnumbered
and forced to surrender.
176 soldiers escaped while
being marched by to Mexico
City, but were quickly
recaptured.
Santa Anna was back in power
in Mexico and ordered every
10th imprisoned soldier to be executed as punishment. Prisoners were made
to draw black and white beans from a jar. All 17 men who drew black beans were shot. Those who drew white beans were imprisoned in Mexico and released in 1844.

23. President Anson Jones 1844 - 1845
Fourth President of the Republic of TX
Involved in the development of the Republic of Texas
Served under Sam Houston as Secretary of State
Supported annexation, but remained quiet on the topic until a treaty of recognition of independence was reached with Mexico.
Famously said, “The Republic of Tx is no more.”

24. Relations With Mexico
Mexican government offered to recognize Texas independence if they rejected annexation.
Mexico will consider war with the United States.

25. Annexation to the U.S.
Ratified by the U.S. Congress December 29, 1845
Annexation ceremonies on the step of the capitol February 19, 1846
State government turned over to Governor James Pickney Henderson
Becomes the 28th state
“the final act in this great drama is now performed: the Republic of Texas is no more.”
Farewell Address
President Anson Jones

26. Republic of Texas