Chapter 24 Houston's Second Term
"Partisan Politics at an end. Lamar and supporters found the Republican Party."- San Antonio Gazette 1840
"For generations my family has lived in the new world off the lands of California. Now I find myself as a Texan"- Carlos Gutierrez 1837
"Those country hillbillies stole our capitol designs."- President Richard Mentor Johnson 1840
The second term of Houston's presidency turned was focused primarily on three important issues facing Texas; the west, trade, and Austin. With the work being done on settling the constitution and internal laws Houston needed to prove that Texas was fine on its own as a nation and was perfectly capable of running its western territories while keeping the economy afloat. During Texas's early years the economy was sometimes unstable as the Redback was a new currency on the market that had little backing in gold or silver with Texas having little to offer to the global economy. Sure the country was a leader in the agricultural sector and could produce more than enough to maintain a large export system, however there was little of value that other countries such as the United States or Argentina could not match. Therefore Houston informed in his State of the Republic address that he would make sure on making Texas's economy strong while opening up the vast California Commonwealth for new economic resources or settlement. Houston would manage to achieve his goals but the full effects of his policies would not be seen until several decades later.
While the annexation of California from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo can clearly be seen as a benefit in the long run, back then it looked to be detrimental to some. The area between the modern day commonwealth and the Rio Grande was entirely mountainous with lots of deserts and could be seen as impossible to travel through for even the native Indian tribes. While the lands on the Pacific were fertile and full of opportunity for trade with Asia there were few settlements available to build a strong ocean port and little way of getting settlers into the region. In order to solve the problem Houston created the California expedition which being reminiscent of the Lewis and Clark expedition, was created with the purpose of finding a strong route to the pacific and creating various plans for Austin to use to colonize the region. The men Houston choose to lead this job were the Walker brothers, Doug and Robert. The two men had lived in western Texas for over a decade and being members of the Texas Rangers were more than suited to the difficulty that the job would require in traveling the wild west. The men set out for California on March 13th, 1839, and were accompanied by the 3rd Texas battalion that was to be stationed at Monterrey as well as a group of over 2 dozen men who ranged in various professions from cartography and hunting to assist the men in their assignment. The job would last over two years as the Walkers would travel all across the California Commonwealth and Western Texas to categorize the land and seek out potential places of settlement. Along the way they meet various Indian tribes who they informed of the ICI and also categorized dozens of species who were previously unknown to the Lewis and Clark expedition. The expedition yielded immense success as the Walkers came up with both the Santa Fe and Arizona trails. Two routes of travel that would ensure the safety of the pioneers through the territory and also take them within the range of several settlements and friendly tribes which had previously been established there. The men also discovered various economic activities that could be beneficial to Texas such as the winery and citrus fields in California, copper mining in Arizona, and potential coal deposits in Deseret. Lastly the two men would give a full report detailing potential ports on the pacific with specific attention to the locations of modern day Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. History wouldn't be done with the Walker brothers yet though as these two men would also be the first to discover gold in Northern California eight years later.
Advertisement for settlement of California in 1850.
In order to improve the Republic's image Houston knew that he needed to improve current trade standards while also building up the capitol of Austin in a manner that would one day rival Washington. At the moment it was hard to take Texas seriously for some foreigners as Austin was barely more than a pioneer town and trade routes were few with Galveston being the nation's only port. Houston ordered for the construction of the capitol to be accelerated with the treasury putting in funds to hire foreign workers from the United States to get the job done. Large plans were underway to model the capitol after Washington D.C by creating a President's mansion similar in design to the White House, the national capitol which would be completely designed in the manner of the United States capitol building, with the Texas version being several feet high to prove the point that everything was bigger in Texas. A merchant district was built a few blocks from the Capitol in order to entice various businesses into the city, while the various government institutions such as the national bank, army headquarters, supreme court, and foreign embassies were all built within one contained district to connect the government together. The population would start off small with it only being consisting of the government bureaucrats, politicians, and their families, soon though people would flock to the center of Texas so that in 1861 the population was around 15,000. With the business of building the capitol out of the way Houston set his sights on the national trade routes. In order to make Galveston the premier gulf port Houston gave out large amounts of subsidies to be invited in the harbor and build infrastructure around the island for the populace. Meanwhile Houston gave out large land grants to settlers who were willing to settle on other potential coastal cities such as Corpus Christi, Brownsville, San Diego, and Monterrey. Houston also sought out Austin in his past experiences by resetting the Empressario system in Texas to entice large amounts of colonists into Texas with the promise of large amounts of cheap land and the idea of a community of their respective peoples. This version was even more successful with the previous system with both Aldelsverien and the Mormons providing the largest examples. Towns were also set up along the Santa Fe and Arizona trails to keep national trade and transportation stable and afloat, with large amounts of infrastructure subsidies dedicated to creation of roads. Lastly of note was the passing of the Homestead Exemption Act in 1839, this law was designed to protect a person's property from being seized by creditors and was the first of its kind in the world. This law would encourage many people to immigrate to Texas with the promise of their land being protected and over the years the Texas Rangers would engage in Land Wars with various creditor mobs that sought to exploit the citizens and seize their land for profit within Texas.
The Presidents Mansion (Right) and Texas Capitol(Left)
Houston's second term is described as an immense success that was able to establish the economy of Texas while providing the birth of Western Expansion. To many people within Texas it looked like Houston was about to achieve his third term come September 1841. There was just one problem though that would plague the nation's first president throughout his campaign. While Houston had achieved many accomplishments for Texas he never gave up on his quest to achieve Texas annexation. Even after the Johnson administration and the Whig controlled congress gave up their side of the talks, Houston would still send Austin and other Texas delegates to Washington to try and negotiate entry into the Union. These attempts disgusted many nationalists and already worsened their fears with the ongoing immigration tide coming from the United States. Enough was enough for Vice President Lamar and the man knew he had to make a stand for the Texas people come September. Thus, on July 14th, 1840, the Republican Party of Texas was born.
September 4th, 1840. Austin, Texas.
Senator Juan Seguin sat alone in his office looking over proposals for new trade tariffs on Great Britain. He had just finished talking to his friend Davy Crockett who had just been elected to the House of Representatives. Both men had agreed that placing tariffs on Britain was highly negative to the Texan economy as it would take away several cheap manufactured goods that were in high demand by the upper class and most of the Americans. On the other hand the French ambassador had been enticing Houston to go through with them as France being Texas's primary economic benefactor couldn't allow their chief rivals to have profitable trade relations with Texas. Even if Juan was more than willing to side with the French he knew that Texan cotton prices would suffer due to Britain possibly taxing them in retaliation. It was either pissing of your closest European ally or the largest empire in the world; decisions, decisions. Juan's stress wasn't helped by the fact that he was actively working with Navarro to try and set up immigration restrictions while encouraging more immigration from Mexico. Juan loved the fact that more people were coming to call Texas home but at the same time he was afraid that the Tejano's would suffer as second class citizens under the rule of the American gringos, sure France and Germany were balancing the numbers but that would only continue for so long, it wouldn't be too far ahead that Juan would be a minority in his own home. He knew he could retire in San Antonio with his wife Maria as he had done more than enough in the revolution, but Juan knew it wasn't fair to the people of Texas, they needed him and he couldn't possibly stand back while his nation was still struggling. As he was reminiscing over current affairs Juan got a notice by his secretary Martha that Vice President Lamar was here for the appointment that he had scheduled with Lamar. 'I wonder what the hell he wants?' Juan didn't exactly hate him persay and could hold some measure of respect for the man as he was also dedicated to fighting for the interests of Texas. The problem was Lamar was a little bit radical in his policies and sometimes let it known that it was
his people who he was concerned with first. 'Might as well let him in and be done with it. I am a politician after all so I do need to play these games.'
A few seconds later strode in Lamar who had plenty of arrogance and swagger in his step that gave off the impression that he was the President of Texas, 'not that we all don't know you want the job.' "Mirabeau how nice of you to come, tell me what exactly does the second most powerful man of the land have to do with San Antonio's senator."
"Juan I'm insulted, can't a fellow civil servant have a casual visit with one of our revolution's greatest heroes."
"Politicians don't have visits Mirabeau, they have meetings and only use flattery when they want something. Now sit down and get to the point."
"You don't have to be so rude about it, though I do like that your direct and don't bother with the political chit chat, that's something I can respect." Lamar made his way down to the chair in front of Seguin's desk and took a seat.
"Now since you insisted let's get down to business. As you know the elections are taking place within a year and I plan to run for the Presidency this time around."
"What, you're going to run with that little Republican Party you founded?"
"Why yes, you see we Republicans have a goal, we're going to lead this country into greatness, we're going to make Texas the proud jewel of the Southwest and keep the nation out of the hands of Houston and his lapdogs."
"Come on Houston isn't all that bad, alot of the peace and stability we have right now is because of him and his
lapdogs, besides he still led us to victory in the Revolution."
"Yes I can't deny that Houston hasn't done some good with his ideas, even that foolish program with the savages is producing some results. But do you really think it's okay to leave that man in power for the next three years? I swear it's like half of what he does is to go against our nation not for it. When I came back with the Treaty of Guadalupe you'd think I'd get praise for expanding our country to the Pacific, but do i get that, NOOO. The man instead rants on about how it was reckless and stupid and that it would only hurt our country. Yet you've seen all the good it's done, we've been getting alot of money from trade with Santa Fe and California is starting to show promise as a fine pacific port, we even got the Mormons to settle that barren wasteland. Tell me it was not a good idea."
Juan couldn't deny that what Lamar done had been beneficial to the nation. He saw that in the long run it would be very beneficial for Texas to have access to the Pacific and have huge quantities of land to expand upon.
"And don't even get me started with what that idiot is trying to pull with the United States."
"I thought you were an Americano once upon a time?"
"Yes I do admit that Georgia will always remain a part of my heart. But now I am a Texan and I'll be damned if I let Houston get away with turning our grand country into another state. Even with all the success that we have been building the man is practically obsessed with putting our lone star as number 27 on the stars and stripes. Just look at how damn liberal he is with allowing the Americans into the country. Sure most of them may be southerners like me but you know deep down their just a bunch of opportunists looking to exploit our nation. The fact that our constitution allows for people to become residents after six months doesn't help."
Juan found it a little bit ironic how Lamar was ranting on about the Americans considering he only entered into Texas five years ago. Yet at the same time he couldn't help but agree with his points. If Texas were to enter the Union then it would destroy all the hard work that Juan and his companions had been trying to achieve for the past few years and at the same time reduce Juan to a second class citizen. The situation also wasn't helped with the amount of Southerners coming every year that worked towards that scenario happening no matter what.
"I understand your concerns with some of Houston's rather illogical policies concerning America, but what does this have to do with me?"
"Ah yes, you see Juan in order for me to beat Houston next year I'm going to need alot of help. Your support would be of immense value to my campaign as you are seen as the leader of the Tejano faction and can win support from other moderate congressmen. Here are my terms. I want you to become a member of the Republican Party, help draft resolution that suits my interests, and endorse my campaign while enticing other politicians to enter the party and my camp. In return I'll keep Navarro as Secretary of Immigration in my cabinet, the first justice I nominate to the supreme court will be a Tejano, I'll support your ascension as Senate Majority leader, and help pass legislation that would be of immense benefit to your people."
Juan was stunned at the current offer. While Houston did consider him to be a close friend and good senator he had never offered him anything of value like this before. He knew that there was little chance of an offer like this coming by again.
"I must say Mirabeau I'm quite shocked. I took you to be a little bit more of a.. closed minded type that wants to suit your own interests."
"I must admit I have been doing some thinking over the past few weeks over what I need to do to win the presidency and run this country. I know that I must make some allies to win and its best to be friends with the original citizens of the land rather than those eastern carpetbaggers who still think of themselves as Americans first. We are Texans after all, both you and I. So what do you say."
Juan was conflicted, to enter into this agreement would be an immense potentially political benefit but would also alienate Houston and backfire if Lamar lost the election. "Give me some time to think about this. After all you have just given me a largely conflicting proposition that I must reflect and pray upon before I make a reply."
"Take all the time that you need, just think about all the possible good that we can do together in the mean time." Lamar stood up to shake Seguin's hand then made for the door of the office. Before he left Lamar had this to say to Seguin. "Juan just remember there's a reason we're called the Republican Party, we are fighting to defend the Republic, not sell it out to our neighbors." With those parting words Lamar left Seguin's office to leave him pondering on the proposition.
'Hmmm, Juan Seguin the Republican Senator from San Antonio.'