Mirabeau Lamar

2nd president of Texas

1. The Republic of Texas
Section 2, Lamar Becomes President

2. 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.

4. 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 1
st
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.”

6. Austin High
Bowie High
Crockett High
Travis High
University of Texas

7. 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.”

8. Capitol building in Austin
The Old Stone Capitol
Downtown Austin

9. 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.

11. 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.”

13. The Santa Fe Expedition
Lamar 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.

14. Native American
Attacks

15. Financial Difficulties
The 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