Republic of Texas – Houston’s 1st Term
Launching the New Government
Congress elected - 14 Senators/29 Reps
Sam Houston elected1stPresident ofRepublic of Texas in October 1836
Mirabeau Lamar became vice-president
Three immediate challenges:
- Mexican government was a threat
- Comanches raiding settlements
3. Texas was deeply in debt
First task was to form a cabinet
SFA is named Secretary of State
This office is in charge of relations with other countries
In December 1836, SFA dies at age 43 of pneumonia
Columbia became site of new capital – this was temporary
Capital moved to Houston in April 1837 – population 1500 by May
Foreign Policy
Houston had two foreign policy goals:
- gain other nations’ recognition of Texas as independent nation
- avoid further conflict with Mexico
Two questions on 1st election ballot:
1. ratify Constitution of 1836
2. asked if voters favored annexation by the U.S.
Voters said YES to both questions
Foreign Policy (con’t)
Houston favored annexation
Becoming part of U.S. would help protect Texas
Some people in U.S. opposed annexation of Texas
They wanted to avoid war with Mexico and adding a slave state
U.S. were 1st to recognize Texas as independent nation
Relations with Mexico
Relations with Mexico were tense
Mexico rejected the Treaty of Velasco
Rejected Rio Grande as border of New Republic
Houston wanted to avoid war with Mexico
Mexico offered to sell Texas to the U.S.
Texas objected to this offer because it suggested Mexico still owned Texas
Domestic Policy
Houston knew Republic had no money to fight a war
Houston had 3 domestic policy goals:
1. gain control of army
2. keep peace in Texas
3. put Texas on solid financial ground
Houston faced problems with army
Sent most of army home on leave – save tax money and eliminate trouble
Relations with Indians
Houston could not afford a large army
He relied on local militias and Texas Rangers to guard frontier
Needed to keep peace with Native Americans
Houston sent messages of friendship to tribes in Texas
Tried to make treaties and set-up trading posts
These efforts were not successful
Congress refused to ratify a treaty Houston made guaranteeing Cherokees’ rights to their land
Many trading posts were never opened
Native Americans did not trust Republic
Texas settlers’ desire for Indian land made things worse
Economic Policies
Houston’s greatest challenge was improving the new nation’s finances
Republic was $1 million in debt
Houston cut government’s spending
Placed taxes on imported goods, property and livestock
Texans had little money to pay taxes
Tried to get a loan from U.S. for $5M
Houston printed paper money with land in Texas to represent its value
Texas ended up giving away millions of acres of land to attract new settlers
Free land lowered the value of the paper money
By end of Houston’s 1st term, a Texas dollar was worth only 12 cents
Republic’s debt was $3M in 1838