J1c 6fk or J5r-;

- - PYa

\ 4dJlli"A llilw \\u u"u u+ ,

kr i _r r

r H \\

'ter. " "r'MM

i rr

A ._. ., .

U.S. GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT DEPOSITORY I IPPARY Nn. 610 JUL 3 1986

PAN AMERICAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY THE mN !.!RG 7853

TEXAS STATE LIBRARY

Celebrating Texas' Sesquicentennial 1836-1986

TUxAS STATE DOCUMENT PAN AMERtCAN UNIVERSITY LI ?AI y EDINBURG. TEXAS 7¬539 signing treaties on October 2, 1839. On the Texas Congress in 1836. Included in ordinary. The expensive Indian wars tive to immigrants, and newcomers from the old question of . Tex September 17, 1840, a treaty was negotiated within these boundaries was the wealthy were terminated. The Republic signed the the United States poured in. To further en ans had voted strongly in favor of annexa TILE with the King of the Netherlands, and trea trade city, Santa Fe. On June 19, 1841, an Treaty of Bird's Fort in September 1843 and courage settlement, the Republic copied the tion in September 1836. The Republic's ties with Great Britain were concluded in expedition left Austin to complete Santa the Treaty of Tehuacana Creek on October old Mexican empresario system, offering formal offer of annexation was made on November of the same year. Fe's integration into the new nation. Insuf 9, 1844. tracts of land to immigration companies. August 4, 1837. Initially rejected, the offer Texans overwhelmingly chose Sam Hous ficiently provisioned, set upon by Indians, The military establishment, affected by Contracts were authorized for W. S. Peters was debated by the U. S. Congress in the REPUBLIC ton, the hero of San Jacinto, as their first and finally captured by the Mexican author the budget cutbacks, was reduced to a and Associates (the Texas Emigration and fall. Again the proposal was refused, and president. At the same time, they voted in ities, the survivors were marched to handful of ranging companies when Gen Land Company); Charles Fenton Mercer; on January 23, 1839, the Texas Congress favor of immediate annexation to the where they were imprisoned for several eral Rafael Vasquez and 700 men attacked Henry F Fisher and Burchard Miller (who withdrew the offer. United States. Thus, Houston's presidency years, the last man escaping in 1845. on March 5, 1842. Goliad and sold their grant to the Society for the Pro The United States, alarmed by the in OF was dedicated to maintaining peace at Lamar considered the Indian tribes as Refugio were also invaded. The Mexicans tection of German Immigrants in Texas, creasing cordiality of relations between the home and negotiating with the United separate and conflicting nations, and when remained only a few days, retreating with whose commissioner general was Prince Republic and Great Britain, renewed nego States government. As he took office, he learned that Chief Bowles of the Chero whatever could be carried away. On Sep Carl of Solms-Braunfels). The most success tiations for annexation in 1843. On April ThXAS Houston was confronted with an over kees had joined Vicente Cordova in a short tember 17, General Adrian Woll also cap ful of these empresarios was Henri Castro. 12, 1844, a treaty was signed, only to be re grown and restless army under the leader lived rebellion in the Angelina River area, tured San Antonio. At Salado, his army Eventually he introduced 2,134 European jected by the United States Senate on June The ten-year period of the Republic of ship of the flamboyant . The Lamar launched a program of expulsion for was confronted by a volunteer force com colonists into Texas. 8. But the election of James K. Polk to the Texas was marked by futile attempts to gain problem was solved when Huston came to all Indian tribes. Bowles was killed in the manded by Matthew Caldwell. The ensu The fate of the Santa Fe and the Mier Ex U. S. presidency indicated popular support Mexican recognition of Texas independ the Texas capital to lobby in Congress. Battle of the Neches on July 16, 1839. The ing battle was of little importance, but a pedition prisoners reawakened interest in for annexation. On February 28, 1845, Con ence, frequent efforts to join the United President Houston quickly furloughed all surviving Cherokees were driven across the company of Texans led by Nicholas Mosby gress passed a joint resolution authorizing States, Indian wars and invasions from but 600 men. These 600 men were formed Red River. Other eastern tribes-except the Dawson were surrounded by the Mexican the immediate annexation of Texas. The na Mexico, and a completely unstable into ranging units to patrol the nation. Alabama and the Coushatta-followed. In forces and were either killed or captured. tion would pass through no interim territo economy. Indian pacification was another major 1840 the threat was considerably To retaliate, an expedition of 750 men rial status, it would retain its public lands On May 14, 1836, President Antonio concern. In spite of raids like the one on reduced after the Council House Fight on under General Alexander Somervell (and also its public debt), and as many as Lopez de Santa Anna signed two treaties at Parker's Fort in 1836, Houston pursued a March 19 and the on marched for Laredo. Ordered to return to four additional states could be formed from Velasco. In exchange for his freedom, he policy of negotiation with the Indians and August 12. The conquest of the Indian Gonzales, a part of the group rebelled. its territory. agreed to a cessation of hostilities, with tried unsuccessfully to gain congressional tribes during this period was materially They set out under the leadership of Wil The Texas Convention that was assem drawal of Mexican troops from Texas, rec approval of the Cherokee Lands Act. aided by the Texas Rangers' adoption of the liam S. Fisher, arriving in Mier on Christ bled to consider the offer had two choices ognition of Texas independence, Unable to succeed himself, Houston was Colt revolver. mas Day. They surrendered to General to make, for Mexico had finally offered a establishment of a mutually agreeable followed by Mirabeau B. Lamar, who de By the end of Lamar's term, Texas debt Pedro Ampudia on December 26. After an preliminary peace treaty based on Texas' re boundary, and favorable reception of a sired a strong, independent Texas. He stood well over $3 million. The Indian wars abortive escape effort, the surviving pris maining independent. The Mexican offer Texan delegation to negotiate treaties of opened peace negotiations with Mexico, al alone had cost approximately $2.5 million. oners were forced to draw beans to deter was rejected; annexation, accepted with amity and navigation. Neither the Texas lied Texas with the rebel state of Yucatan, The establishment of a permanent capital at mine who among them would be executed. only one opposing vote. On October 13, Senate nor the Mexican Congress would and stepped up negotiations with the Euro Austin and the expansion of the national The survivors remained in Perote Prison. Texas voters added their approval. The agree to the terms, and the Republic re pean governments for national recognition. government had further added to the ex Houston also allowed a second attempt U. S. Congress accepted the new state con mained in constant fear of invasion from Furthermore, he attempted to extend Texan pense. In addition, the treaties with Euro to capture the Santa Fe trade. Led by Jacob stitution, and President Polk signed the act the south. influence within the boundaries claimed by pean nations allowed them virtually free Snively, an expedition set out in January making Texas the 28th state on December The United States, tied to Mexico by trea trade status, and a severe depression in the 1843. Although not so tragically terminated 29, 1845. The formal exchange of govern ties of neutrality, hesitated to recognize the United States shut down many potential as the earlier Santa Fe Expedition, it accom ments took place in a ceremony at Austin new nation. Finally, on March 3, 1837, as markets for Texas goods. plished little and wound up being arrested on February 19, 1846. President Anson his last official act as president, Andrew Reelected, Houston established a strict by U. S. soldiers who maintained that the Jones lowered the Republic flag, pronounc Jackson signed the executive act acknowl austerity program. Unnecessary govern Texans were trespassing on United States ing the validictory, "The final act in this edging Texas independence. France was the ment offices were abolished, the postal sys territory. great drama is now performed; the Repub first European country to recognize Texas, tem abandoned, and the Texas Navy placed A liberal land policy made Texas attrac- lic of Texas is no more.' D L ~1 Illustrations - Q L-iQSite of first Congress meeting in Houston.

i a 1 + Q iJames Pinckney a w Henderson, diplomat for the

I Republic. Engraving of "drawing the black bean." W john Coffee Hays, Captain of Texas Rangers.

LJMercer Colony map \l showing lands granted to Charles F Mercer. 4

H'K

'K>

(All photos are from Y.., "'K the Texas State Archives.) a a I A Selected Bibliography f

,,,. ,,,:

Uhe Uexas Yemlic ,,. .,~ 1836-46 . Adams, Ephraim D. History and Annexation ,,. -. u xu n British Diplomatic Correspondence Salem, NH: Ayer Company, ,.t

Concerning the Republic of Texas, Publishers, 1973 n.. May 1, 1836 United States naval forces seize Texas 1834-1846 Navy ship Invincible for hampering 5011 Austin: Texas State Historical Nance, John M. K "fir commerce. Association, 1917 After San Jacinto: The Texas-Mexican Frontier, 1836-1841 May 5, 1836 sails for to re Barker, Eugene C. and Amelia Austin: University of Texas Press, ceive treatment for his ankle wound. Williams, eds. 1963 May 14, 1836 Treaty of Velasco. The Writings of Sam Houston, 8 volumes Austin: University of Texas Press, Attack and Counterattack: The Texas May 19, 1836 Fort Parker attacked by Indians. Cynthia 1938-1943 Mexican Frontier, 1842 Anne Parker among those captured by Austin: University of Texas Press, the Indians. Binkley, William C. 1964 1 The Expansionist Movement in Texas, ... Aa May 26, 1839 Bird's Creek Indian fight near present-day 1836-1850 Schmitz, Joseph Temple. Texan Statecraft New York: Da Capo Press, 1970 ~A San Antonio: Naylor, 1941 May 19, 1840 Council House Fight. Thirty to 40 Coman Connor, Seymour V. negotiations are to ches attending peace The Peters Colony of Texas; a History and Siegel, Stanley killed by the Texans. Biographical Sketches of the Early Settlers A Political History of the Texas Republic May 24, 1841 Seventy rangers capture three Indian vil Austin: Texas State Historical New York: Haskell Booksellers, Inc., F.' lages in battle of Village Creek. Association, 1959 1972 May 16, 1843 Texas Navy (all sailing ships) fight a Garrison, George P., ed. Smith, Justin pitched battle with Mexican steamships Diplomatic Correspondence of the Republic The Annexation of Texas gay G VERNMEN of-war at Campeche. Although no deci of Texas, 3 volumes New York: AMS Press, Inc., 1972 Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government sive victory is gained, only the Texas IT '1CUMENT ships attempt to carry on the fight. Printing Office, 1908-1911 Smithwick, Noah u.:). u v wm r v ui ii The Evolution of a State, or Recollections DEPOS\TORV I IPQARY Nn.610 Green, Thomas J. of Old Texas Days Journal of the Texian Expedition Against Austin: University of Texas Press, JUL 3 1986 June 3, 1836 Texas Rangers capture three merchant ves Mier 1983 sels loaded with supplies for the Mexican Salem, NH: Ayer Company, PAN AMERICAN UNIVERSITY UBRAR' Army. They become known as the Publishers, 1973 Weaver, Bobby EFL!NURG TEXAS 783' Castro's Colony: Empresario Development "horse marines." Gulick, Charles Adams, Jr., et al., eds. in Texas 1842-1865 theater in Texas built in Houston. The Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, College Station: Texas A&M THE June 11, 1838 First 6 volumes University Press, 1985 June 5, 1841 President Lamar's proclamation announc Austin: Pemberton Press, 1968 ing the Santa Fe Expedition. Weems, John Edward REPUBLIC Hogan, Willam R. Dream of Empire; a Human History of the June 18, 1841 Santa Fe Expedition sets out from Austin. The Texas Republic: A Social and Economic Republic of Texas June 7, 1842 Fisher-Miller grant awarded for European History New York: Simon & Schuster, 1971 OF settlement. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1969 Winfrey, Dorman H. and James M. June 28, 1842 Ratifications exchanged in London for Day, eds. three treaties between Texas and Great Jones, Anson The Texas Indian Papers, 5 volumes TEXAS Britain. Memoranda and Official Correspondence Austin: Pemberton Press, 1966 Relating to the Republic of Texas, Its June 14, 1843 Austin and Wharton return to Galveston. Their commanders are summarily dis missed from service by President Houston. OT E TEXAS STATE LIBRARY June 15, 1843 President Houston issues proclamation of r; t armistice with Mexico. Uik Celebrating Texas' Sesquicentennial June 8, 1844 United States Senate rejects annexation 1836-1986 treaty. t9 Vk June 16, 1845 Annexation Convention begins. E 72 TiXA$ STATE DOCUMENT \~ 4 Z61 ?AN AMEtRCAN UNIVERSITY LI W4' y EDINSURG. TEXAS 76539