Texas to Statehood

Independence

Texas gains its independence June of 1836 with the Treaties of Velasco

Leadership

The republic of Texas had 3 presidents: Sam Houston, Mirabeau Lamar, & Anson Jones

Sam Houston First administration 1836-

1838

Focused on forming government, dealing with debt, the army, conflict with Native Americans & Mexico, and selecting a capital.

Dismissed army because of cost & bad relationship. Replaces them with Texas Rangers- used to fight Native Americans & Mexican soldiers.

Signed treaty with Chief Bowles, Cherokee Chief

Mirabeau B. Lamar

2nd president of republic from 1838- 1841

Did not agree with Houston’s policies

Focused on pushing Native Americans further west, education, & new capital (Austin).

Doubled public debt because of Indian wars & increased inflation

Council House Fight

March 19, 1840 a group of Comanche leaders agree to meet in San Antonio & surrender all Anglo captives

Delivered one: Matilda Lockhart

Texans were angry & attacked Comanche ; 7 Texans died with many Comanche leaders

Santa Fe Expedition

June 1841

Lamar sends troops to claim western boundary of Texas- all of Rio Grande which included Santa Fe & part of present day New Mexico

Mexico did not agree neither did the citizens of Santa Fe; Texans were captured & taken to Mexico City

Caused Mexico to raid TX again

Native Troubles

Lamar ordered Chief Bowles to lead Cherokees out of TX.

Bowles refuses & is killed

Cherokees were forced to present day Oklahoma

Cordova Rebellion

Led by Vicente Cordova

Organizes with group of about 400 people loyal to Mexico near Angelina River

Before anything could happen the group was put down but distrust of Native Americans & Mexicans increased

Led to Cherokees being forced to Oklahoma

Texas Rangers

Lamar used Rangers to fight Mexicans & Native Americans

Jack Coffee Hayes: Best known Texas Ranger; Captain & surveyor of Republic of Texas

Sam Houston

Second Administration from 1841- 1844

Re-elected after Lamar

Most Texans were unhappy with the conflict during Lamar’s administration

Focused on return to peace, decrease public debt, & to prepare TX for statehood

Houston cont’d

Due to Santa Fe Expedition Mexico began to invade TX

Houston used TX Rangers to guard border & end threat

About 300 Texans crossed border into Mier fought in 2 day battle then surrendered

Anson Jones

Last president of Republic

Served from 1844 -1845

Supported Houston’s policies; focused on maintaining peace with Native Americans, tried to limit spending & turned TX over to U.S.

Texas becomes the 28th state in 1845

Texas Navy Used to protect coast during

Houston’s term

Lamar had Congress issue bonds to buy ships

Used to conduct unsuccessful peace negotiations between TX & Mexico

Most officers were recruited from U.S. Navy

Commodored by Edwin W. Moore: dishonorably discharged by Houston for supporting Yucatan Rebels.

Jose Antonio Navarro

Bexar’s representative in Texas Congress

Voice of Tejanos tried to protect their land claims & rights

Helped write state constitution

Supported Lamar

Critic of Houston