Launching a Nation, 1836-1848

Although Texas had decisively won its independence from Mexico, many problems faced the newly-created nation. In addition to political and military divisiveness, there were the problems of financing the new government, pacifying the Indians, and rebuilding devastated areas. With the threat of Mexican reconquest still hanging over their heads, the people approved a mandate for annexation to the United States. Their vote in favor of the constitution drafted during the March convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos expressed their endorsement of the transplantation of U. S. institutions, since the new Texas constitution resembled the one written in Philadelphia in 1787.

Anglo migration during the 1820s and 1830s ensured the institutionalization of the English language and also of Protestantism and Republicanism in Texas. The latter ensured sovereignty of the masses, a permanent system of checks and balances on government, and regularly scheduled elections of public officials to guarantee the will of the people.

Politics in Republican Texas

The first president of the Republic of Texas was Sam Houston, a veteran of American politics and, of course, the victor at the battle of San Jacinto. When annexation was not forthcoming, Houston’s government grappled with the Indian problem and with financial distress that included $1.25 million in foreign debt. Houston was able to set boundaries, readjust the political hierarchy at the local level into one more in keeping with U. S. tradition, and pass legislation to encourage immigration and raise revenue by selling public land. He also created new forms of defense. His successor, Mirabeau B. Lamar, criticized Houston for failing to get Mexican recognition of Texas independence and took a much different approach toward the Indian problem and financial dilemmas. The pinnacle of foolishness or vision—depending on what historian is evaluating the outcome—was Lamar’s choice of promoting and subsidizing the Santa Fe Expedition. More sensible policies included laying the groundwork for the public education system in Texas and setting aside public land for the establishment of two colleges.

The republic’s debts were enormous, and the aftermath of the Santa Fe Expedition had been costly and embarrassing. Retrenchment ensued when Houston was reelected in 1841. Fiscal frugality was the order of the day; Houston also saved money by not constantly engaging the Indians in hostile actions. In December 1844, Anson Jones, secretary of state under Houston, won the presidency on a platform to stay the course his predecessor had set.

 The People of Texas

Texas continued to experience financial woes, but there was demographic growth with natural reproduction and a renewed flow of immigration. The immigration policies of the 1840s attracted Europeans to Texas, and the population of Texas became even more culturally diversified. Mexico had always promoted European immigration to balance concerns about the overwhelming influx of Anglo settlers. Texas offered numerous opportunities, leading to population increases, the rise of new communities, and the encouragement of farms, plantations and ranches due to the republic’s liberal land policies.

 Social, Economic, and Diplomatic Challenges

Texas independence strengthened slavery’s hold. Punishments were legislated for those found guilty of stealing slaves, encouraging slaves to run away, giving refuge to fugitive slaves or promoting slave insurrections; and slave codes defined the status of blacks as chattels in perpetuity. Slavery in Texas was, by no means, kinder and gentler than in parts of the Deep South. On plantations and large farms, it meant toiling from sunrise to sunset — planting, hoeing, and harvesting cotton, corn and sugar — accompanied by cruel punishments if indolent or arrogant.

Long a Spanish and Mexican enterprise in the region, raising cattle and horses remained the traditional pursuits in East Texas. Anglos added a new dimension to livestock raising when they imported ranching traditions from the South, primarily South Carolina. Sheep accompanied Anglo Americans to Texas and were crossbred with Spanish sheep. Despite the wide interest in the sheep-raising industry, this aspect of agribusiness did not flourish during the period.

 Texian culture was evolving; its traits included resiliency, self-reliance, courage and faith in the promise the future of the Republic held. There was a general lawlessness in the new land and individualism was usually expressed without inhibition. The Texian bravado nourished a disorderly society, as evidenced by the so-called “Regulators” and “Moderators” feud and smaller ones that erupted over land titles in the late 1830s.

War with Mexico

 Mexico refused to honor the Treaties of Velasco and sought to undermine the government. France and England balked at recognizing Texas — France due to economic pressures and England because it opposed the new nation’s recognition of human bondage. Houston soft-pedaled the issue of recognitionbut Lamar acted brashly on the issues of expansion to the south and west that ultimately led to the ill-fated Santa Fe Expedition of 1841. The election of 1844 was won on the issue of expansionism, and James K. Polk pushed through the annexation of Texas. When Mexico declared war on the United States, President Polk assigned General Zachary Taylor to the Rio Grande, thus insuring that the disputed area between the Nueces and the Rio Grande would become part of the United States.

Causes of the war were complex and have been endlessly discussed. Expansionism, racism, and even abolition and anti-slavery sentiments made the war unpopular; and the United States was roundly criticized for bullying a weak nation. Hostility remains a legacy but, more importantly, Texas would play a vital part in strengthening “the South’s hand in the fiery debate over the future of slavery in the United States”.