The Republic of Texas (1836-1845)

Problems facing the ad interim government

A. David Burnet and the Army
1. Pursuit of Mexican Army
2. Thomas Rusk and Mirabeau Lamar
3. Matamoros
B. Mexican Rejection of the Treaties of Velasco
C. Public confidence
D. The General Election
1. Ratification of the new constitution
2. Elective offices
3. Annexation

Pursuit of Mexican Army

• Blood 4 Blood

• Wanted Santa Anna dead but Burnet wanted to ransom him & get them to approve Valero & put him on boat to go back but would not let it leave

Thomas Rusk & Mirabeau Lamar

Commander of the army until replaced by Lamar to try to fix the situation but the army would NOT accept him

Matamoros

A vital strategic location during the Texas Revolution, Matamoros was a Mexican city where military operations were focused, and it was a target for Texian forces seeking to disrupt Mexican supply lines.

Public Confidence

Mexican army took long time to leave Texasand there were concerns about their potential return, leading to a boost in morale and support for Texian forces as they aimed to maintain control and stability in the region.

Political Philosophy of the New Republic

A. Jacksonian Principals
1. Egalitarianism
2. Mistrust of government
3. Individualism
B. Problems (White supremacy in a multicultural society, equalitarianism vs. using their land, rule of law or rule of the mob)

The World of Sam Houston

A. Background (Born March 2, 1793, in Virginia, wealthy family but hated the wealthy)
B. In Tennessee (spent a lot of time with Cherokees, join a militia & protegee to Jackson, use connections to be a part of politics, governor of Tennessee - 1823, drinking problem, wife left him to live with Cherokee, goes into depression & leaves in 1829 & goes to live with Cherokee)
C. Coming to Texas
D. Life of a humble man (gives himself to God, remarries Margaret Houston, & donates to Baylor men & female college in Independence)

Houston’s First Term

A. Domestic concerns
1. Frontier protection
a. Mexican threat
b. Thomas Rusk and the army discharge and furlough (Bc they wanted to kill any Mexican army person they came across)
c. Texas Rangers
d. Cherokees
2. Finances (Inflation rate, no money, tariffs, decided to pay everyone himself)
3. Political factions (Became a popularity contest)

Houston’s First Term continued

B. Foreign affairs
1. Two goals of the early Republic
2. Attempts for annexation
a. Andrew Jackson (1836-1837,2nd term, didn’t want to divide democratic party, slavery)
b. Marin Van Buren
3. Foreign recognition and Great Britain (1830 free the slaves)
C. The first transition (1838 Lamar run for presidency & take office in Dec, 3 years terms/3 terms)

The Presidency of Mirabeau B. Lamar

A. Domestic concerns
1. Education (Build public school (1), no colleges but tried)
2. Land policy and the Homestead Act of 1839 (zoning, residential areas, commerce)
3. Indian Policy (Extermination policy against Native Americans in Texas)
a. Actions against the Cherokee (Cherokee war of East Texas, said they did not have rights to land, went against Sam Houston & treaty)
b. Battle of Neches and the death of Chief Bowles

Batlle of Neches & the death of Chief Bowles

July 18. 1839, Texas militia/Texas rangers lead extermination of Cherokee, shot in the leg, tried to surrender but a Texas soldier shot him dead, 100 Cherokee died & the remaining fled to Oklahoma, Sam Houston vowed if he saw Lamar, he would shoot him in the head)

The Presidency of Mirabeau B. Lamar continued

c. Comanche trouble on the Plains
--San Antonio
--Ben McCollugh and “strike and pursue”
B. A Capitol move (From Houston to Austin)
C. Foreign policy
1. Achieved foreign recognition from France and Great Britain
2. Stalemate with Mexico
3. Western claim and a two ocean Republic
a. Santa Fé Expedition
b. Hugh McLeod
c. disaster

San Antonio

Negotiation for peace settlement with republic of Texas & commanches, commanches would bring 1 hostage - Matilda Lockhart including Cynthia Parker, couldnt do it bc they need permission from other tribes, Texas got mad & killed everyone including family members outside except 1 women to tell the commaches to let all white go)

Ben McCollugh & “strike & pursue”

Colt revolver, finally able to match commanches power out of central Texas took about 40 years

Houston’s Second Term

A. The election of 1841 (Won easily)
B. Domestic policy and spending reductions
C. New Treaties with Indians
D. Foreign policy focused on Mexico and annexation
1. Santa Anna invades (March 1842)
2. Texas declaration of war
3. Adrian Woll invades (September 1842)
4. The militia war
a. Alexander Somervell and the march to Laredo
b. W. S. Fisher and the “invasion” of Mexico
c. The battle of Mier
d. The “black bean” incident
E. The election of 1844
1. Edward Burleson
2. Anson Jones
3. Results

Santa Anna invades (March 1842)

(March across the Rio Grande & occupy San Antonio, Goliad

Adrian Wolf invades (September 1842)

Mexican general, invade San Antonio only for 1 week than leaves