Sam Houston was born into one of the most chaotic times in American history. Problems with Native Americans, Mexico, and threats of southern cession were all dominant issues during Houston’s adult life. Although many people strongly disagreed with Houston’s beliefs, Houston never hesitated to oppose mass opinion so long as there was a chance of converting it to his way of thinking. He was a level-headed man that exercised caution and avoided conflicts whenever it was possible.
Houston formed a relationship with Native Americans at a relatively young age. Sam was a restless boy. He did not enjoy the normal farm or store work that most boys his age participated in. “He preferred measuring deer tracks in the forest to tape and calico in a country store,” (Campbell, 3). After a few years in Tennessee, Houston ran away. He crossed the Tennessee river and lived among the Cherokee Indians. Houston acquired an appreciation for Native Americans and an appreciation for trying peace before war. These appreciations would serve him well during the rest of his life.
In the midst of several problems between Anglo Texans and Mexicans, Houston maintained his peaceful, yet cunning approach. Sam took part in a second colonist convention in Texas. The two sides of this convention were the aggressive “war party” members and the “peace party” members. William Wharton, which belonged to the “war party”, was elected chairman of the convention. Houston advised that Stephen Austin should deliver the colonist requests to the Mexican government. Gomez Farias, the Mexican president, rejected Texas statehood. Austin wrote to Texas to encourage them to draw up the framework for a state government even after Mexico rejected their plans. He was later arrested for this letter. After Austin was released from jail he felt that “We must defend our rights ourselves, and our country by force of arms,” (Campbell, 59). Houston proclaimed a clever approach that they would remain with Mexico, but at the same time he promoted the Texas cause in the United States. He called on volunteers saying, “Let each man come with a good rifle, and one hundred rounds of ammunition, and to come soon,” (Campbell, 60).
The dream of annexation for Texas became a reality in 1836. The election of 1836 consisted of voting for the presidency, the constitution of Texas, and annexation to the United States. Houston was not planning on running for the presidential seat. Austin and Henry Smith were announced as candidates. While both were flawed in their own ways, Houston saw issues with both Smith and Austin. Houston was persuaded by many to run for president. After a large meeting, he was nominated for president. He said that he had “yielded to the wishes of my friends because the crisis required it.”, (Campbell, 92). Houston acquired the presidential seat with a massive victory. A unanimous decision approved the constitution and annexation to the United States was approved by a massive majority of voters. “Texans, even as they established a government for their new republic, indicated that they would give up independence in order to become part of the nation where most had been born.” (Campbell, 92).
Houston acquired the presidency along with the republic’s massive $1.25 million debt. Texas had no efficient source of income. The government could not implement taxes simply because Texans were too poor. The government tried to borrow money by issuing $5 million in bonds. The Panic of 1837 devastated this notion because buyers were not available in the United States. “President Houston was ready to turn to the final resort-paper money.”, (Campbell, 103). The government authorized the printing of $500,000 in paper money.
The United States did not offer immediate statehood but they did recognize Texas as a nation. Houston persistently worked toward annexation. While most focused on the threat of Mexico, Native Americans still posed as a major threat. Houston called on the militia, led by Thomas J. Rusk, to snuff out a rebellion led by Vicente Cordova in 1838. Rusk saw fit to punish the Cherokee tribe for their involvement in the rebellion. “Houston, who had written letter after letter to Duwali urging peace, pardoned all the Indians, Cherokees and other tribes alike, for any involvement they may have had with Cordova.” (Campbell, 101). Violence was averted once again because of the intelligent decisions made by Houston.
Houston’s time as president lasted two years. He could not run again according to the Texas law stating that a president could not serve two terms consecutively. His political nemeses, Mirabeau B. Lamar and David G. burnet, were elected as president and vice-president. “Houston found himself out of public service for the first time in three years, and he seemed to welcome the change.”, (Campbell, 107). Houston started a law office with John Birdsall and started a new town named Sabine City with the help of several of his friends. On a trip to gather investors in New Orleans, Mobile, and Nashville Houston met a 20-year-old woman named Margaret Lea. Houston immediately sought marriage with Margaret but Houston had to return to Texas. When Houston returned he had been elected to congress. Houston was determined to reverse some of the wrongs that the Lamar administration brought about.