Texas Almanac, 1945-1946 Page: 64
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TEXAS ALMANAC.-1945-1946.
the "Moderators." A vendetta prevailed
for about two years, during which time
about fifty men were slain and courts
ceased to function. President Houston
succeeded in quieting the disturbance in
1844, but bitterness and ill effects lasted
for many years.
Snively Expedition.
Another military project during the
second Houston administration was the
Snively expedition in the early part of
1843, which marched into New Mexico
for the purpose of capturing a Mexican
wagon train on the Santa Fe trail. The
Texans were successful but were cap-
tured in turn a few days later by a
United States detachment on the charge
that they were within the bounds of the
United States.
The last national election, held Sept.
2, 1844, resulted in the election of Anson
Jones as President over Gen. Edward
Burleson. Although Jones had generally
opposed annexation of Texas to the
United States, his administration was
largely devoted to issues involving an-
nexation and the winding up of the af-
fairs of the little Repu lic. Although
Texas had increased rapidly in popula-
tion and had attained security in its in-
dependence, partly through recognition
by a number of foreign powers, partly
through the proven ability of its volun-
teer forces and partly through the confu-
sion that prevailed min Mexico, its diffi-
culties nevertheless had steadily in-
creased.
Public Debt.
The Republic began its existence with
a public debt of more than $1,000,000 and
saw this grow to nearly $8,000,000 in its
ten years of life. Lamar's military pol-
icy greatly increased the public debt.
The paper money issued by the new gov-
ernment depreciated quickly and the
money of the United States was more
acceptable than that of Texas.
After Texas had obtained recognition
by a number of the leading world pow-
ers, no treaty with Mexico was ever
signed, although several attempts were
made by the Texas Government to reach
an agreement. An armistice was signed
in 1844, but this was annulled by Mexi-
co in 1845 when annexation was effected.
Annexation.
A majority of Texans were for annexa-
tion to the United States from the be-
ginning of the Republic. At the first
election the subject of annexation was
submitted and the vote was almost unan-
imously favorable. In the United States
there was almost unanimous fa-
vorable sentiment in the South, but
there was much opposition in antislave
states.
The race between Polk (Democrat)
and Clay (Whig) in 1844 centered about
the annexation issue, Polk favoring an-
nexation and winning the race. Tyler, the
incumbent, however, had the Treaty of
Annexation introduced in Congress in
the form of a resolution at the short ses-
sion preceding Polk's inauguration andthe action of Congress was favorable.
The provision of this document which
has been of greatest import to Texans
was that giving to the state the entire
public domain of the Republic. Another
provision which has occasioned much
iscussion was that providing that the
State of Texas might at its discretion
divide itself into as many as five states.
President Anson Jones called the Texas
Congress in special session and annexa-
tion was given a favorable vote, follow-
ing which a convention called by the
President ratified annexation and wrote
a State Constitution, which the people
approved Oct. 13. Jones retired as Presi-
dent Feb. 19, 1846, succeeded by J.
Pinckney Henderson, first Governor of
Texas. On Dec. 29, 1845, the Congress of
the United States had accepted the new
State Constitution of Texas and this date
has been declared by the United States
Supreme Court as the actual date of an-
nexation. Texas became the twenty-
eighth state in the Union.
STATEHOOD PRIOR TO CIVIL WAR
The flag of the United States replaced
the Lone Star banner over the Capitol at
Austin Feb. 19, 1846, with the inaugura-
tion of J. Pinckney Henderson, the first
Governor. The principal events of Hen-
derson's administration centered about
the Mexican War. Mexico had never re-
linquished its claim to Texas, although
internal dissension in that republic had
prevented it from military efforts to re-
subjugate the territory north of the Rio
Grande, other than the two invasions in
March and September of 1842. Shortly
after annexation of Texas, Mexico
brought the issue to a crisis by breaking
off diplomatic relations with the United
States.
Gen. Zachary Taylor was ordered to
occupy the disputed area between the
Rio Grande and the Nueces. Mexico
maintained that the Nueces was the
boundary line between Texas and Mex-
ico, aside from its claim to the entire
area of Texas.
The first encounter was at Palo Alto,
near Brownsville, May 8, and the follow-
ing day another engagement was fought
at Resaca de la Palma, a short dis-
tance from the scene of the first en-
counter. Thereafter Mexican forces
withdrew from Texas soil and no more
engagements were fought north of the
Rio Grande. Enlistment in the United
States Army from the new State of Tex-
as was heavy. The progress of Generals
Winfield Scott and Taylor was rapid and
Mexico City fell Sept. 14, 1847. By the
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Feb. 2,
1848, claim to Texas including the area
below the Nueces was relinquished and
that part of the United States lying west
of Texas and the Louisiana Purchase
was ceded to the United States which,
however, paid Mexico $15,000,000.
The administration of Governor Hen-
derson (Feb. 19, 1846, to Dec. 21, 1847),
and that of Gov. George T. Wood (Dec.
21, 1847, to Dec. 21, 1849), which fol-
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Texas Almanac, 1945-1946, book, 1945; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117166/m1/66/: accessed April 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.