Texas' Early Years

Mexico withdrew the peace treaty signed by Santa Anna, exiled him from office and kept the Texas settlers alarmed and fearful for the next 10 years after the victory at San Jacinto.

Nevertheless, Sam Houston was easily elected the first president, promoting annexation by the United States.  Americans did not necessarily approve of the idea for statehood, for many political reasons, including the debate on the balance of slave states going on at that time, and also because the United States really didn't want to buy into all of Texas' problems.

The Texas treasury was empty by this time and the war had left a staggering debt.  From the presidential "log cabin" called the "Executive Mansion" in Houston, (the capital from 1837-1839), Sam imposed unpopular taxes, slashed spending and basically worked hard to keep Texas solvent.  Houston was even forced to exhaust his personal credit to pay his reduced army of 600.

It was during these troubled years that Texas earned their reputation for self-reliance and swagger.  Texas towns attracted "cornstalk lawyers" who were ill-trained but eager to make fortunes on land disputes. 

There was little respect for the law in those days.  They worked hard, played hard, and liked to settle arguments by fists, guns and the popular Bowie knife.  Cattle rustling and horse stealing were the only thieving going on because Texans didn't have much to steal, but they would rather a hang a man that put up with theft.  They were notorious gamblers, consumers of whiskey and chewing tobacco.
The following was found on the entrance to an Austin church in those days:

"Ye chewers of that noxious weed which grows on earth's most cursed soil,
Be pleased to clean your filthy mouths outside the sacred house of God.
Throw out your plug and Cavendish, your "pig tail" "twist" and "honeydew"
And not presume to spit upon the pulpit, altar or in the pew."

Next time...Change of Leadership
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Today in Pioneer History: "On October 13, 1845, a majority of the citizens of the independent Republic of Texas approve a proposed constitution, that when accepted by the Congress, will make Texas the 28th American state.