Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
Domestic News of the Republic of Texas
Topic Started: Feb 14 2010, 02:16 AM (487 Views)
Republic of Texas
Member Avatar


Posted Image

December 10, 1838

Mirabeau B. Lamar has succeeded Sam Houston as the second president of the Republic of Texas. The inauguration ceremonies were held in the capital of Houston, with David G. Burnet (interim president in 1836) succeeding Lamar as vice president.

During Lamar's inauguration, Houston was outfitted in colonial dress and a powdered wig. He delivered a three-hour farewell address, purportedly for the purpose of irritating Lamar, who appeared overly eager to give his inaugural address.

Lamar's inauguration brings a major shift in both foreign and domestic policy for Texas. Unlike Houston and nearly every other major Texas politician, Lamar opposes annexation and believes Texas should remain a republic and ultimately expand to the Pacific Ocean. At the inauguration, Lamar declared the purposes of his administration to be promoting the wealth, talent, and enterprises of the country and laying the foundations of higher institutions for moral and mental culture.
Edited by Republic of Texas, Feb 14 2010, 02:18 AM.
"Y'all can go to Hell, and I'll go to Texas."
- Davy Crockett
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Republic of Texas
Member Avatar


December 28, 1838

Senator William H. Wharton has introduced legislation in Congress defining a new national flag for the Republic of Texas. The proposed "Lone Star Flag" is intended to replace the current flag of the Republic, the "Burnet Flag," which was adopted two years ago.

The new code specifies that the flag shall contain: (1) a blue vertical stripe one-third the entire length of the flag wide, and two equal horizontal stripes, the upper stripe white, the lower red, each two-thirds the entire length of the flag long; and (2) a white, regular five-pointed star in the center of the blue stripe, oriented so that one point faces upward, and of such a size that the diameter of a circle passing through the five points of the star is equal to three-fourths the width of the blue stripe.


Posted Image
"Y'all can go to Hell, and I'll go to Texas."
- Davy Crockett
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Republic of Texas
Member Avatar


January 25, 1839

Following approval by Congress, the new "Lone Star flag" has been officially adopted as the symbol of the Republic of Texas.
"Y'all can go to Hell, and I'll go to Texas."
- Davy Crockett
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Republic of Texas
Member Avatar


October 17, 1839

Today President Lamar and his cabinet officially entered the city of Austin, the new capital of the nation. Opening ceremonies and a lavish banquet were held from 3:00 to 8:00 P.M. during which many speeches were given on Texian nationalism and the future of the country.

Previously known as Waterloo, the site of Austin was personally selected by Lamar for the new capital due to its strategic location and natural beauty. The existing settlement was subsequently renamed in honor of the late Stephen F. Austin, the Father of Texas.

The legislature and remaining government will relocate to Austin next year after new construction on the town's state buildings is completed.
"Y'all can go to Hell, and I'll go to Texas."
- Davy Crockett
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Republic of Texas
Member Avatar


October 1841

President Lamar's popularity declined throughout the summer of 1841 as the fall presidential election approached. Plagued by financial problems, continual tensions with Mexico, and the failure of the Santa Fe expedition, Texas found itself in dire straits and many citizens believed a change in leadership was badly needed. Although Lamar himself could not run again this year due to the constitutional limitation on executive succession, his vice president, David G. Burnet, was eligible.

The election was noteworthy in that it pitted the first interim president of Texas against the first elected president, Sam Houston. Burnet ran on a platform espousing Texan nationalism and expansion similar to Lamar's in 1838, while Houston criticized the glaring failures of the Lamar administration and reopened the question of annexation to the United States.

A two-to-one majority of voters chose Sam Houston in the general election, finding his policies, political attitudes, and personality -- all largely the reverse of Lamar's -- more suited to the task of national leadership and better for Texas's future in general.

Election Results
Sam Houston - 7,915
David G. Burnet - 3,619

President Houston will be inaugurated in Austin on December 13.
"Y'all can go to Hell, and I'll go to Texas."
- Davy Crockett
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Republic of Texas
Member Avatar


April 20, 1842

The inauguration of Sam Houston led to a shift in foreign policy for the Republic, particularly with respect to the treatment of Indians and relations with Europe and America. Diplomatic envoys from the Tyler administration have been received in Austin to discuss various questions relating to independence, and President Houston has initiated new talks with Britain and other powers in the hopes of procuring a permanent settlement with Mexico.

The late raid on San Antonio has lent urgency to these diplomatic overtures, and the idea of securing foreign support to compel Mexico to break off her offensive is being seriously discussed.
"Y'all can go to Hell, and I'll go to Texas."
- Davy Crockett
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Republic of Texas
Member Avatar


December 1843

The incessant Mexican raids in 1842 and 1843 prompted renewed efforts to secure foreign recognition of Texan independence. After months of diplomatic intercession by the United States, Texan prisoners taken in the Santa Fe and Mier expeditions and other border clashes were finally released and allowed to return to their homes.

In response to these boundary disputes, Congress passed a resolution officially claiming New Mexico and California for the Republic of Texas. This was not quite as ludicrous as it may seem, since Texas' western border was never legally defined when it was part of Mexico. President Houston vetoed the bill but Congress re-passed it with a two-thirds majority over his objections.

President Houston then began seeking closer relations with Britain in the hopes of deterring Mexico from attacking again. This, however, caused immense jealousy on the part of the United States, who feared that Britain might turn Texas into a dominion, as well as most Texan citizens, who overwhelmingly wanted to join the American Union. The result was the opening of discussions for a formal treaty of annexation -- which some speculated had been Houston's objective all along.
"Y'all can go to Hell, and I'll go to Texas."
- Davy Crockett
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Republic of Texas
Member Avatar


August 1844

The rejection of the treaty of annexation signed in early 1844 seemed to destroy the last chance Texas had to join the United States. Less than a third of the U.S. Senate had come out in favor of it, and the treaty required approval of a full two-thirds to pass. While President Houston had been lukewarm on the treaty to begin with -- he privately felt "great mortification and disappointment" upon hearing it had been signed -- he was even more disgusted by the blunt American rejection.

A new U.S. diplomat, Andrew Jackson Donelson (nephew of the former American president) arrived in Texas in the summer of 1844 to begin talks anew. Donelson urged Houston not to read too much into the treaty's failure; a movement to annex Texas by joint resolution was underway, he said, and annexation was emerging as the primary issue in the presidential campaign. If Polk were elected, it would be sure to pass. Houston was not reassured: "We shall have to be as sharp-sighted as lynxes and as wary as foxes," he later told Secretary of State Anson Jones.

Meanwhile, Great Britain and France inched toward guaranteeing Texan independence in the hope of dissuading the U.S. and compelling Santa Anna to recognize the inevitable. But by late 1844, the Mexican leadership was not inclined to make peace. The uproar among American abolitionists over the annexation treaty had convinced Santa Anna that any attempt to protect Texas would be politically impossible, and Texas' weak financial condition made it appear susceptible to future raids. All that Mexico would need to do was send in a sufficiently large invasion force.

By the end of the summer, Mexico officially severed all relations with Texas and General Adrian Woll, on instructions from Santa Anna, sent Sam Houston a formal declaration of war. In response Great Britain, fearing a costly border war -- and the alienation of potential customers in both Mexico and the United States -- finally withdrew itself from the mediation efforts. Texas would be on its own.
"Y'all can go to Hell, and I'll go to Texas."
- Davy Crockett
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Republic of Texas
Member Avatar


Posted Image

December 9, 1844

Anson Jones has been inaugurated President of Texas after winning the September national election by a wide margin. President Jones faces a crisis on entering office as Mexico threatens to invade yet again.

This month, the Texas Congress passed a resolution declaring its support for annexation to the United States. Jones has not made his position on the matter known, but said it would be taken "under advisement."
"Y'all can go to Hell, and I'll go to Texas."
- Davy Crockett
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Republic of Texas
Member Avatar


March 29, 1845

Envoys from Great Britain and France have approached the Republic with an offer to procure a final treaty of peace from Mexico. The suggested provisions are broadly as follows:

- Mexico will recognize Texan independence
- Texas agrees not to annex itself to any foreign country
- Boundary and territorial disputes to be settled by treaty or submitted to arbitration

News of this arrived just as reports of the U.S. annexation resolution came via Andrew Jackson Donelson, the American diplomat in Austin. President Jones has advised Britain to commence negotiations with Mexico, but he has refused to dismiss the annexation offer without the advice and consent of the Texan Congress and people.
"Y'all can go to Hell, and I'll go to Texas."
- Davy Crockett
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Republic of Texas
Member Avatar


April 15, 1845

President Jones has issued a proclamation calling a special session of Congress at Washington on the Brazos. The Congress will assemble on June 16th to discuss the American annexation offer and other diplomatic developments.

Permission has been given for British intermediary Captain Charles Elliot to continue talks with Mexico, following receptiveness on the latter's part.
"Y'all can go to Hell, and I'll go to Texas."
- Davy Crockett
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Republic of Texas
Member Avatar


May 5, 1845

In light of new diplomatic developments, President Jones has issued a call for a general convention of the people of Texas, in order to consider what national course this Republic should take. The convention is scheduled to meet on the fourth of July in Austin.

Jones has openly declared his support for annexation, but stated he believes neither option should be taken without first allowing the citizens of Texas to make their voices heard.
"Y'all can go to Hell, and I'll go to Texas."
- Davy Crockett
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Republic of Texas
Member Avatar


June 16, 1845

After two months, the Texan Congress finally gathered in Washington on the Brazos to deliberate the proposals of Mexico and the United States. Together, the two offers presented a very stark contrast -- Texas could either continue on its independent nationalist path with Mexican diplomatic recognition, or become a state of the American Union without it. The prospect of independence unmarred by Mexico's harassment seemed tempting for many, but in the end it was insufficient to override the numerous material benefits of annexation and the love Texan immigrants -- mostly American Southerners -- had for their homeland.

The treaty with Mexico was swiftly and unanimously rejected by both houses of Congress; the U.S. annexation offer was unanimously approved.

Congress then sanctioned the President's call for a convention on the fourth of July to ratify the decision and begin drawing up a state constitution.
"Y'all can go to Hell, and I'll go to Texas."
- Davy Crockett
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Republic of Texas
Member Avatar


July 4, 1845

The ordinance of annexation was quickly ratified on the first day of the convention and work began on creating the new state constitution.

A popular referendum will be held this fall to allow all citizens of Texas to vote on admission, but this is largely a formality since most Texans have already expressed their support for it.
"Y'all can go to Hell, and I'll go to Texas."
- Davy Crockett
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Republic of Texas
Member Avatar


October 13, 1845

The annexation referendum was held in early October and saw the vast majority of voters, approximately 94%, poll in favor of union with the United States. A slightly smaller percentage approved the state constitution drawn up by the July convention, which will now be submitted to the U.S. Congress for official approval.


Electoral Results

Annexation
- For: 4,254
- Against: 267

State Constitution
- For: 4,174
- Against: 312
"Y'all can go to Hell, and I'll go to Texas."
- Davy Crockett
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Republic of Texas
Member Avatar


February 19, 1846

In a ceremony before the capitol building today, President Anson Jones will officially transfer control of Texas to the government of the United States. The Lone Star flag will be ceremonially lowered and the Stars and Stripes hoisted over Austin. It is the last great act in a drama spanning nearly ten years.

President Jones will deliver a speech honoring Texans and their achievements before officially resigning his office. James Pinckney Henderson, the diplomat who helped negotiate the original treaty of annexation two years ago, will be sworn in as the new state governor shortly thereafter.
"Y'all can go to Hell, and I'll go to Texas."
- Davy Crockett
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Domestic News of Texas · Next Topic »
Add Reply