Sam Houston Organizes a Government UNIT 6: (Chapter 12-Section 1)

Sam Houston Organizes

a Government UNIT 6: (Chapter 12-

Section 1)

Houston Forms a Government September 1836: Texans

elected Sam Houston president and Mirabeau B. Lamar as vice president.

Texans approved the Constitution of 1836.

Proposed that Texas join the United States.

Houston was chosen as the capital for three years.

President

Sam Houston

Vice President

Mirabeau Lamar

Trouble with the Army Army commander

Felix Huston wanted to invade Mexico; Army had too much time on their hands

President Houston intervened and sent most of the soldiers home on furlough (extended leave)

Texas Favor Annexation

Most Texans wanted immediate annexation to the United States

Many Texans had come from the U.S.

Texas heavily in debt from the Texas Revolution

Mexico still a threat and Texans wanted US protection.

The United States Delays Annexation

Annexation was delayed because the US did not want to damage relations with Mexico.

Antislavery groups in the United States did not want Texas to join the Union as a slave state.

Recognition as a Nation March 3, 1837:

President Andrew Jackson granted official recognition of Texas as a nation.

Houston appointed J. Pinckney Henderson ambassador for Texas.

Henderson arranged trade treaties with France and England.

J. Pinckney HendersonAmbassador of the Republic of Texas

Native American and Texan Conflicts

During war, Cherokee promised to remain peaceful in return for rights to their land (a treaty made).

The Texas Senate later refused to honor that treaty.

Indian Affairs Treaties violated by Texas

Congress Pretended war-time

representatives didn’t have authority in Republic of Texas

Texas settlers are moving West

Big increase after revolution They take Comanche lands

Reprisal Raids

Begin 1836-1837

Most famous is on Fort Parker and Parker Farm

Cynthia Ann Parker-girl of about 12, captured with others in 1837.

Texas Debt Soars Texas Congress wants to collect owed debtand take care of unpaid bills from Texas Revolution

To raise money, they create:

TARIFFS on imported goodsTaxes on propertyTaxes on businessesFees on Land title registration

Texas Debt Soars

The taxes were difficult to collect

The government continued to spend more than it collected.

Interest payments cause debt to continue to soar

The Release of Santa Anna

November 1836: Santa Anna was released.

He returned to Mexico aboard the Republic of Texas ship the Invincible

Santa Anna’s return to Mexico

Upon return, he immediately renounced the promises he had made to Texas in the Treaties of Velasco he signed after his capture.

He refused to recognize Texas independence.

Was tried in Mexican court for losing Texas.

The court removes him from office and he goes into exile.