Mirabeau B. Lamar - President of Texas

President of Texas

Lamar was the unanimous choice to replace Houston as president in 1838, and was inaugurated on December 1, 1838. Houston lengthened his farewell address to 3 hours, "which so unnerved Lamar that he was unable to read his inaugural speech." Instead, it was given by his aide, Algernon P. Thompson. In his first formal address to the Texas Congress several weeks later, Lamar urged that the Cherokee and Comanche tribes be driven from their lands in Texas, even if the tribes must be destroyed. He also proposed to create a national bank and to secure a loan from either the United States or Europe. Finally, he opposed annexation to the United States and wished to entice European countries to recognize the Republic of Texas.

His first actions were against the Indian tribes. In 1839 his troops drove the Cherokee tribes from Texas. The battle resulted in the death of Houston's friend Chief Bowles, leaving Houston angry at Lamar. A similar campaign was fought against the Comanche. Although many lives were lost, the Comanches could not be forced from the area. Lamar believed that it was necessary to bring about the “total extinction" of the Indian tribes.

Lamar appointed a commission to select a permanent site for the capital of the Republic. After two months of debate, they recommended the small town of Waterloo along the Colorado River. The town was renamed Austin, and by October 1839 all of the records and employees were transferred from Houston to Austin. That same year, he founded the Texas State Library (presently known as the Texas State Library and Archives Commission).

During his administration, Lamar sent three separate agents to Mexico to enact a peace settlement. All failed. Nonetheless, Lamar succeeded in gaining official recognition for his country from the United Kingdom, France, and Belgium. Despite several attempts to secure a loan from these and other countries, Lamar was unsuccessful. To fill the treasury, he authorized issuance of a large amount of Republic of Texas paper money, known as Redbacks. The paper money was virtually worthless. Spending doubled during Lamar's term, and combined with the worthless currency, caused financial difficulties for the government.

Lamar believed that the Rio Grande was the western boundary of Texas, and wanted to send an expedition to New Mexico to establish trade, and convince the residents to join the Republic. The Texas Congress refused to fund the expedition in 1839 and 1840. In June 1841, Lamar took $89,000 from the treasury and sent an expedition on his own. The members were arrested when they reached Santa Fe, and told they would soon be released. Instead, they were marched to Mexico City, and many died during their forced march.

Lamar has been called "the Father of Texas Education." During his administration, he convinced the legislature to set aside 3 leagues of land for each county to equip schools. He also allotted 50 leagues of land for the support of two universities, later Texas A&M University and the University of Texas. Although nothing was implemented during his term, these actions led to the foundation for a statewide public school system.

One of his quotes sums up his views. "The cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy and, while guided and controlled by virtue, the noblest attribute of man. It is the only dictator that freemen acknowledge and the only security that freemen desire."