ERA V ERA OF THE REPUBLIC (1836-1846) RECOGNITION BY THE UNITED STATES AND FIRST STAGE OF ANNEXATION MOVEMENT HOUSTON'S ADMINISTRATION (1836-1838) [Mirabeau Lamar, Vice President] Houston's Election. Up to this time the President of the Republic had been merely a provisional officer, not one selected by the people, but in September, 1836, the people were called on to elect a regular president, a vice-president, senators and representatives. They were also to vote upon annexation to the United States, the adoption of the Constitution prepared by the Convention of March, and the right of the first Congress to make changes in the Constitution. The election resulted in an overwhelming majority for annexation and for the Constitution, but against the right of Congress to alter or to amend the Constitution. The candidates for the Presidency were Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston and Henry Smith. The victory at San Jacinto made Houston the idol of the people and won for him the first place in the young Republic. Mirabeau Lamar was elec ted Vice-President. The first President was to serve two years, after which the term of office was to be three years. Senators were elected for three years, and representatives for one year. The First Congress of the Republic of Texas met October 3, at Columbia on the Brazos, about two miles west of the present town of that name. The two houses went to work, with patriotic zeal, to overcome the difficulties they had to face. Richard Ellis was chosen President, pro tempore, of the Senate, and Ira Ingram, Speaker of the House. On October 22, in the presence of Congress and many distinguished visitors, Houston and Lamar were inaugurated. After two and a half months of hard work, Congress adjourned to meet May, 1837, in the city of Houston, which had just been laid off into town lots. Death of Zavala.- On November 15, at his country home on the San Jacinto, the "gentleman, patriot, and scholar," Lorenzo de Zavala breathed his last. Austin's Death.- Houston showed great wisdom in calling into his cabinet Stephen F. Austin as Secretary of State.1 Austin's first work was to prepare instructions for the Texas Minister to Washington, William H. Wharton. The government headquarters at Columbia were lacking in many comforts and in all luxuries. Austin labored constantly, for three days and nights, in a room without fire. He contracted a severe cold, which quickly developed into pneumonia. On December 27 he died. For two days his remains lay in state; then, attended by civil and military authorities, by sorrowing friends and loving kindred, the body was placed on board the vessel "Yellow Stone," and borne to Peach Point (near Velasco), the home of his sister, Mrs. James F. Perry. Here, with military honors, was laid to rest the 66 Father of Texas." His tomb is marked by a brick vault, surmounted by a marble slab; this memorial was erected by his sister. It is to be hoped that at no distant day a patriotic legislature will provide a resting place and a suitable monument for the great Austin in the state cemetery at the capital named in his honor. Difficulties.-The difficulties that Houston and Congress had to deal with were numerous. The public debt was heavy, while the population was scarcely fifty thousand. Mexico had by no means given up her claim to .Texas; the Mexican government declared the treaty made by Santa Anna void, and constantly threatened another invasion; the Mexican navy blockaded our ports and destroyed our commerce. The Texan army was idle in camp. Being impatient at not receiving the pay for which they had long waited, they were ready to find fault with every public official. The judicial affairs of the country were in a deplorable condition. The Indians were troublesome, as the Mexicans urged them to make war on the Texans. Congress Tries to Raise Money.- No government can succeed without money, hence much time and labor were spent by Houston's administration trying to raise necessary funds. Congress issued land scrip at fifty cents per acre and placed agents in Mobile and in New Orleans to sell this scrip. A small direct tax and some import duties were levied. Half a million dollars in government notes were issued. President Houston was authorized to borrow $5,000,000, giving bonds of Texas. as security. Courts Organized.- The Supreme Court was organized with James B. Collinsworth as the first Chief Justice. A system of lower courts was also organized. Important Laws Passed.- Among the measures Hende passed while Houston was President, some of the most Sidney important were: raising The establishment of a general land office and the ap-man pointing of land officers in every district. 2 remain den Land laws that were expected to prevent fraud, to pro-wed tect the helpless, to encourage immigrants and to unravel the tangle of conflicting claims that arose from the fact that public lands had been granted by so many different authorities. 3 The survey of all lands into sections of six hundred and forty acres. The opening of post-offices and mail routes. -The claiming as Texas territory all land between the Sabine and the Rio Grande; the northern boundary extending to forty-two degrees. The exact boundary between the new Republic and the United States was to be settled by commissioners. The dividing Texas into counties, using the former Mexican municipalities as the new counties. Mexico in Trouble.- Trouble both at home and abroad kept Mexico so disturbed that she had no money and no army to invade Texas. The Texas Army.- After the Battle of San Jacinto many volunteers from the United States joined the army, so that, there were now more than two thousand soldiers in camp. The army could not be disbanded so long as it was unpaid; there was no money in the treasury. Houston fell upon the wise plan of granting furloughs to most of the soldiers. In this way the army was reduced to a few small garrisons. An Unfortunate Duel.- After Rusk retired from the command of the army, Felix Huston, who came to Texas after the battle of San Jacinto, was made Commanderin-Chief. In 1837 President Houston appointed General Albert ent co Marc xt day ailed pest n ins |