The Republic of Texas

Section 2, Lamar Becomes President

A quick note from section 1. As more Anglo Americans settled in central Texas, the Native Americans resented the newcomers. They began a series of raids on the newcomers that lasted for several years and killed several settlers.

Houston called on the Texas Rangers to patrol central Texas. Texas Rangers were created to protect the settlers from Native American attacks.

In 1836 Houston signed a treaty with the Cherokees and promised to give title to their land if the Cherokees would stop raids on the Anglo American settlers.

Mirabeau Lamar Becomes President

The Constitution of 1836 stated that the president could not serve consecutive terms. Texans elected Mirabeau B. Lamar, who opposed Texas annexation to the United States. Lamar wanted Texas to someday extend all the way to the Pacific Ocean.Improving education was one of Lamar’s 1st goals as president. Congress set aside 18,000 acres of land for a state education system. Congress reserved an additional 288,000 acres of public land in central Texas as a source of income for two universities. Because of Lamer’s efforts, he is sometimes called the “Father of Education in Texas.”

Austin High Bowie High

Crockett HighTravis High

University of Texas

The Capital is Moved to Austin

It had been agreed that Houston would serve as the capital only until another site was chosen. In 1839 a commission and congress approved a site on the Colorado River near the village of Waterloo. The new capital was named Austin in honor of Stephen F. Austin the founder and “Father of Texas.”

Capitol building in Austin

The Old Stone Capitol

Downtown Austin

Lamar’s Policy Toward Native Americans

Lamar reversed Houston’s policy toward Native Americans. Lamar heard that Mexican agents were attempting to stir up the Cherokees against Texas. President Lamar ordered the removal of the Cherokees from Texas by force in July 1839. The Cherokees were moved North of the Red River.

Raids Lead to Council House Fight

During 1838 and 1839, Comanches raided several outlying settlements. The Comanches agreed to meet with Texas authorities in San Antonio. The Comanches had promised to bring their Anglo captives, but they produced only one, a girl named Matilda Lockhart. According to an eyewitness, “her head, arms, and face were full of bruises and sores.” Matilda told the Texans that 13 others were being held captive in the hills west of San Antonio. Angry Texan troops attempted to take the Comanche negotiators as hostages until the Comanches freed their captives. The Comanches resisted, and in the struggle—known as the Council House Fight—7 Texans and 35 Comanches died. The Comanches killed many of their captives and set out to avenge the Comanche deaths. Known as “the greatest blunder in the history of Texan—Native American relations.”

The Santa Fe ExpeditionLamar sent an expedition to Santa Fe to control the region and open trade with New Mexico.

The Santa Fe expedition began its trek on June 19, 1841.

Misfortune and hardship plagued the members. Heat, lack of water and food, and attacks by Native Americans led to suffering.

Once they reached Santa Fe Mexican soldiers captured the Texans and marched them 1000 miles to Mexico City where many died in prison.

Native AmericanAttacks

Financial DifficultiesThe Indian wars cost the Republic of Texas $2.5 million. The disastrous expedition to Santa Fe and reorganizing the Texas navy was also costly to Texas.Lamar had additional money (redbacks) printed that quickly shrank in value. By the end of his term (1840) a paper dollar in Texas was worth about 15 cents and the public debt rose to $7 million. Lamar created a growing public debt and a valueless currency