Lamar’s PresidencyLamar’s Presidency

Ch. 12 Section 2Ch. 12 Section 2

Mirabeau Lamar Becomes Mirabeau Lamar Becomes PresidentPresident

Texans elected Lamar president Texans elected Lamar president when Houston’s term ended in 1838.when Houston’s term ended in 1838.

Improving education was one of Improving education was one of Lamar’s many goals.Lamar’s many goals.

Congress set aside nearly 18,000 Congress set aside nearly 18,000 acres of land in each county to acres of land in each county to support public schools.support public schools.

Lamar also opposed annexation. He Lamar also opposed annexation. He wanted Texas to be a powerful wanted Texas to be a powerful nation, reaching the Pacific Oceannation, reaching the Pacific Ocean

Mirabeau Lamar Becomes Mirabeau Lamar Becomes PresidentPresident

The Capital Is Moved to AustinThe Capital Is Moved to Austin

A. A. In 1839 Congress approved In 1839 Congress approved Waterloo on the Colorado as the site Waterloo on the Colorado as the site of a permanent capital.of a permanent capital.

B. B. The new capital was named The new capital was named Austin, in honor of Stephen F. Austin.Austin, in honor of Stephen F. Austin.

Lamar’s Policy toward Native Lamar’s Policy toward Native AmericansAmericans

Lamar believed Cherokees had no Lamar believed Cherokees had no fair claim to Texas lands they fair claim to Texas lands they occupiedoccupied..

In 1839 he ordered Cherokees In 1839 he ordered Cherokees removed from Texas.removed from Texas.

Surviving Cherokees were forced Surviving Cherokees were forced from their land and moved across from their land and moved across theRed River out of Texas.theRed River out of Texas.

Raids Lead to Council House Raids Lead to Council House FightFight

After raiding several settlements, the After raiding several settlements, the Comanches agreed to meet with Comanches agreed to meet with Texas authorities.Texas authorities.

The Comanches promised to bring The Comanches promised to bring their Anglo captives, but produced their Anglo captives, but produced only one girl, Matilda Lockhart.only one girl, Matilda Lockhart.

The angered Texans tried to take the The angered Texans tried to take the Comanches hostage, but they Comanches hostage, but they resisted.resisted.

Raids Lead to Council House Raids Lead to Council House FightFight

In what was called the Council House In what was called the Council House Fight, 7 Texans and 35 Comanches Fight, 7 Texans and 35 Comanches dieddied..

The Council House Fight has been The Council House Fight has been called “the greatest blunder in the called “the greatest blunder in the history of Texan-Native American history of Texan-Native American relations.”relations.”

Texas Rebuilds Its NavyTexas Rebuilds Its Navy

Lamar ordered a newly restored navy Lamar ordered a newly restored navy into Mexican waters.into Mexican waters.

He thought Mexico would recognize He thought Mexico would recognize Texas in exchange for the promise Texas in exchange for the promise that the navy would not invade that the navy would not invade Mexico.Mexico.

Sam Houston regained the Sam Houston regained the presidency in 1841 and recalled the presidency in 1841 and recalled the navy.navy.

The Santa Fe ExpeditionThe Santa Fe Expedition

Texans wanted control of Santa Fe, a Texans wanted control of Santa Fe, a trading center on the upper Rio trading center on the upper Rio Grande in present-day New Mexico.Grande in present-day New Mexico.

In 1841 Lamar sent an expedition to In 1841 Lamar sent an expedition to Santa Fe to control the region and Santa Fe to control the region and open up trade.open up trade.

The Santa Fe ExpeditionThe Santa Fe Expedition

The Santa Fe expedition was plagued The Santa Fe expedition was plagued by misfortune and hardship; heat, by misfortune and hardship; heat, shortages of water and food, and shortages of water and food, and attacks by Native Americans led to attacks by Native Americans led to suffering.suffering.

The expedition was confronted by a The expedition was confronted by a Mexican army that forced the Texans Mexican army that forced the Texans to march 1,000 miles to Mexico City.to march 1,000 miles to Mexico City.

Financial DifficultiesFinancial Difficulties

Lamar’s maintenance of the navy and Lamar’s maintenance of the navy and campaigns were expensive.campaigns were expensive.

Texas was deeply in debt when Texas was deeply in debt when Lamar left office.Lamar left office.