CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY. 1833. 1. Convention at San Felipe. 2. Constitution formed. 3. Austin presented to the Mexican officials the Texas Memo rial. 4. Austin imprisoned. 1834. 1. Santa Anna repealed the law forbidding American immi gration. 2. Santa Anna became Dictator. 1835. 1. Committees of safety formed. 2. General Cos sent into Texas (September). 3. Austin's return to Texas. 4. Battle of Gonzales (October 2). 5. Battle of Conception (October 28). 6. General Consultation (November 3). 7. Henry Smith made Governor; J. W. Robertson, Lieutenant-governor. 8. Archer, Wharton, and Austin chosen Commissioners to the United States. 9. Bexar (San Antonio) stormed and captured (December 5-9). 10. Trouble between Governor and Council. 1836. 1. Santa Anna's preparations to invade Texas. 2. Siege and Fall of the Alamo (February 22-March 6). 3. Declaration of Independence (March 2). 4. Burnet made President; De Zavala, Vice-President. 5. Battle of the Colito. 6. Massacre at Goliad (March 27). 7. Santa Anna penetrated into the interior of Texas. 9. Battle of San Jacinto (April 21). 10. Capture of Santa Anna (April 22). 11. Mexican troops withdrawn. 12. Treaties with Santa Anna. 13. Houston, President; Lamar, Vice-President. ERA V. ERA OF THE REPUBLIC. (1836-1845.) HOUSTON'S ADMINISTRATION. HOU (1836-1838.) OUSTON'S ELECTION.-Up to this time the Presidents of the Republic had been merely temporary officers. In September, 1836, the first election according to the Constitution was held, and Houston was chosen President.* At the same time the people voted on the question of annexation to the United States. An overwhelming majority favored this step. Austin's Death.-Houston showed great wisdom in calling into his cabinet Stephen F. Austin as Secretary of State. Austin's first work in his new office was to prepare instructions for the Texas Minister to Washington. The government had its head-quarters at Columbia, where only the rudest accommodations were to be found. Austin labored constantly for three days and nights in a * The first President was, according to the Constitution, to serve only two years, but those who followed him were to hold office three years. room without fire. A severe cold followed, from which, He was mourned not alone by the people of Texas, but by the citizens of the United States. Difficulties.-The difficulties that Houston and his Congress had to deal with were numerous. The public debt amounted to $2,000,000; the population was scarcely fifty thousand, and most of them did not see a dollar from year's end to year's end. Mexico had by no means given up her claim to Texas, and was constantly threatening another invasion.* The Mexican navy blockaded our ports and destroyed our commerce. The Texan army was idle in camp. Being impatient at not receiving the pay for which they had long waited, they were ready to find fault with every public official. The judicial affairs of the country were in a deplorable condition. The Indians were exceedingly troublesome, as the Mexicans urged them on to every species of savage treachery. HOW THESE DIFFICULTIES WERE MET. (1.) Debts.-Congress issued scrip, which entitled the purchaser to a certain number of acres of Texas land, to be located wherever he wished. Many of the public creditors willingly accepted this scrip in part payment. Half a million dollars in government notes were issued; these were good for the payment of all taxes and other public dues.t * When Santa Anna reached Mexico, he found himself powerless. Those who had been his greatest admirers while he was the Dictator, now that he returned a defeated general, set free from prison, had only cold looks and scornful smiles for him. Even had Santa Anna desired to keep his word as given to President Burnet in the secret treaty, he would have been unable to do so. He retired to his country seat, contented to bide his time till Fate should once more favor him. + During the first year of Houston's administration there was paid into the treasury only five hundred dollars of actual money. |