Texas History
Fort Burrows
9.2 - Lamar Takes Office
READ pgs 214--218
Mirabeau Buonaparte
Lamar
August 1798
December 1859
Died in Richmond, Texas
Fort Bend County
Main Idea: Lamar had 3
main goals during his term
as President
1. he wanted to expand
Texas into an empire
2. bolster the armed
Married to Tabitha Jordan
forces, and
1 Daughter
Rebecca Ann
3. create public schools
Vocabulary:
expedition – a journey made for some special purpose.
Setting the Scene:
Sam Houston and Mirabeau Lamar had become bitter enemies. While working
as vice-president, Lamar had opposed many of Houston’s policies. Now, in 1838,
Lamar became President of the Republic of Texas. However, Houston did not leave
office quietly. Before Lamar took office, Houston, dressed as George Washington, gave
a farewell address. As Houston began, Lamar waited his turn to speak. Seeing that
Lamar was eager to start his speech, Houston stretched out his remarks. When he
finished three long hours later, Lamar was so angry that he could not give his speech.
Someone else had to read it for him.
A New Capital
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**** Lamar changed the Republic’s flag to the Lone Star that we have today
in 1838, Mirabeau Lamar became the 2nd president of the Republic
during his three years in office, he undid many of Houston’s policies
he did not want the capital to be named after his rival-Houston
thought a Western capital would be better for trade and would attract settlers to
other parts of Texas
Lamar persuaded Congress to move the capital to a small frontier settlement called Waterloo
as Waterloo grew, Congress renamed the new capital Austin, in honor of Stephen
Fuller Austin, SFA, Our Gran-Daddy !!!!!!!
Sam Houston thought this was a bad idea because of Indian and Mexican attacks
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Texas History
Fort Burrows
“Texas is my mistress, and to her I am devoting all my time and affection.
When I get through with my duties to her, then I may marry, but not before.”
Stephen Fuller Austin
Lamar’s Foreign Policy
He did not want Texas to join the U.S. He thought it could become a great nation on its
own!
 Lamar offered Mexico $5 million to resolve the ongoing conflict between Texas
and Mexico
 in return, Mexico had to:
 recognize Texas independence and
 accept the Rio Grande as the southern border of Texas
 Mexico rejected the offer
 peace talks failed because Mexico refused to negotiate with Texas
 Lamar tried to convince Santa Fe and Eastern New Mexico to join Texas
 Santa Fe was the center of trade between Mexico and the U.S.
 right now the area of New Mexico, was disputed between Mexico and Texas
 Lamar sent an expedition of merchants and soldiers to Santa Fe, angering Mexico
 instead of welcoming the expedition, the people of Santa Fe captured them and
put the in a Mexican prison
 Lamar wanted the Republic of Texas to become a great nation and compete with
the United States.
 France became the first European nation to recognize the Republic of Texas and
agree to trade with the new nation
 Great Britain was next, followed by the Netherlands and then Belgium
Lamar’s Domestic Policies
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the government still had little money and could not acquire more loans
set aside land in each county for public schools to be built
Armed Forces - Strengthened the military
Lamar strengthened the navy, acquiring six warships
he fired Houston’s soldiers and built a new army
he recruited soldiers from the United States and paid them with land
Indian Relations
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Lamar wanted to force the Native Americans out of Texas
he believed that Native Americans blocked the Republic’s westward expansion
he used the newly strengthened army to drive the Indians from the frontier
the Cherokees were forced out in the Battle of the Neches
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Texas History
Fort Burrows
Comanches still controlled the plains of west Texas
in 1840 an attempt for peace was made at the Council House in San Antonio
Texans tried to take Comanche leaders hostage, and a fight broke out
many Comanche leaders were killed
Comanche attacks on the frontier got worse
Economic policies
 Lamar ordered millions of paper dollars printed
 he planned to back the money with a loan from France, but the loan fell through
 this mistake lost him much support among the voters
1. When Lamar moved the capital to Waterloo, Congress changed the
town’s name to…
A. Houston
B. Santa Fe
C. Austin
D. Rutersville
2.
What was the purpose of the Santa Fe expedition ?
A. to find silver for the Republic’s treasury
B. to increase trade between Austin and Santa Fe
C. to drive the Comanches out of Texas
D. to convince Santa Fe and eastern New Mexico to join Texas
3.
Why did Mirabeau Lamar move the capital to Austin ?
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4.
Why did Lamar want Santa Fe to join the Republic of Texas ?
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5.
What was Lamar’s policy toward the Cherokees and the Comanches ?
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