The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 26, July 1922 - April, 1923 Page: 1

THE
SOUTHWESTERN HISTORICAL
QUARTERLY
VOL. XXVI JULY, 1922 No. 1
The publication committee and the editors disclaim responsibility for views expressed by
contributors to THE QUARTERLY
THE INDIAN POLICY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS
ANNA MUCKLEROY
CHAPTER III
INDIAN AFFAIRS UNDER THE AD INTERIM
GOVERNMENT
I. THE POLICY OF PROTECTION AND PACIFICATION
The a d interim government, established March 17, 1836, was
given "full ample and plenary powers to do all and everything
which is contemplated to be done by the General Congress of the
people, under the powers granted to them by the constitution,
saving and excepting all legislative and judicial acts."1 This
government served until October 22, 1836, when the constitution
having been ratified, the officers elected by the people as that
instrument provided were installed.2 President Burnet directed
the affairs of the young Republic during the first months of its
existence, from March to October. He gave a vivid picture of
the critical situation that faced the ad interim government in his
message to the first Congress, on October 4, 1836. He said:
The government ad interim over which I have the honor to
preside, has hitherto conducted its labors under every imaginable
difficulty. At the institution of that government the forces of
the enemy were rapidly advancing into the country with an im-
'Gammel, Laos of Texas, I, 1053.
'Journal of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Texas, 1
Congress, 1 Session, October 3, 1836, to December 22, 1836, 84.