The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-19
a. been long bls.sed with peace and abundance


derstanding, and virruous intentions. But 70 con.
duct those Of a new government, Just struggling
into existence, without credit reputation, and
even looked upon WIN disdaln, ny me more re-
spectacle nations OF the earth the whole popula-
tion, NOT exceeding 20 900 souls, wasted and de-
pressed by recent sangulnary revolutionary
struggle, and containing much that was discordant
and factious ITS Materials requires the highest
order of civic ability, combined with the greatest
energy and frmness.
Gen. Houston, having been elected frs, Presl-
dent under the constitution, assumed the dis
charge of his official functions Immediately
after the expiration of the services of the govern
ment, ad interim, which had been established
by the convention Of March, 1896, TO admins
ter the affairs of the country until the const-
tuilona government TO go into operation.
Al this time there was no treasury, nor any re-
venue IN Texas; small and dispersed popula-
non, and some portion of It, as is always the case
IN frontier States, of highly disorderly character,
the whole not exceeding 10000 souls, and dis
persed over an area OF country exceeding IN size
the States Of Ohio, New York and Pennsy Nanla
conlolned. To bring this chaos into form. and
establish government upon such solid foundations
as to command It's respect and that Of foreign ma
uons was am enterprise no less noble IN ITS charao-
ter, than difficult IN Its execution
But under the wise and firm rule OF houston.
order soon began 10 reign in every department OF
the new republic. The first token of confidence
from abroad was the recognition OF ITS indepen-
dence by the United States under the admlnlstra.
ton of President Jackson. France and England
sent commissioners 10 examine the condition OF
the new country which steps ultimately resulted in
the recognition by those powers of the indepen-
dence of Texas.
The most humane and energetic measures
adopted for the protection of the frontiers and the
savage tribes OF bordering Indians invited to
friendly relations, and in almost every instance
with the most complete success. 1t may be as
well to remark here, that IT was always the policy
OF Houston to tender the hand of friendship and
protection to the benlehted sons of the forest, and
that this policy found most eminenty success
ful, as was more fully exemplfed in the complete
paclicatlon of all the various tribes within the
borders OF Texas during the period of his second
Presidential term.
He caused the republic to undergo a more com
pete and convenient territori organization into
districts and countless Emigration invited,
and flowed in abundantly, not only from the Uni
ted States, but from various portions of Germany
and France. Every description of property greatly
appreciated in value; abundance and hospitality
marked the home of the setter-the country in
the meantime enJoylnga complete freedom from
Mexican Intrusion The public debt at the close
OF his first term of service, including the eXpen
ses OF the revolution, did not exceed 81 1000 and
the country possessed "a circulating medium of
about $600,000.
These are briefly the principal incidents marking
the trst presidential term of General Houston IN
Texas; and although the Fabric had not yet ac-
CURED that consistency which might give the
philanthropst lrreiragable proof of the undoubted
ultimate ability of the country TO maintain itself
q separate government, yet no enquiring mind can
deny that Its foundations were laid most iudcious-
ly; laid by the three great landmarks of political
wlsdom--prudence, moderation and sagacity.
Houston, by the constitution, not being eligible
twice consecutively. retired at the end of his pres
DENTAL term (period of three years. leaving the
republic immensely increased in responsibility.
and all the attributes of prosperity; virtually at
peace with Mexico, and enjoying the confidence
and friendship OF the neghborlng Indian tribes
The republic then fell under the constitutional add
mnistratlon of General Lamar.
The accession to Office of this gentleman was
marked by total and apparently studied change in
he IlcV Nvhl oh had lad Ac,,n
tration Of his predecessor. Instead of a pacific
and conclllatory course towards the Indians, war
and determination were resolved upon. This, as
might have been foreseen, put the whole frontier
in blaze, jeopardizing the repose and security of
the settler The ill-fated Santa Fe expedition,
though repudiated by the Congress, was. during
recess organized and undertaken. This eXpe-
diton had the effect to break the virtual peace that
previously so happily subsisted between Texas and
Mexico, and essentially checked the development
of its resources. The finances of the country be-
came deranged. One million and q halt of trea-
sury notes appropriated for the defence of the
frontier, and hall million for the civil list,
at the first session of the Congress after Lamars
Inauguration These issues based upon no
adequate resources or revenues whatever. and Were
followed by others, that, at the close OF this admit
nistration, the public debt had been quadrupled;
the Indians on the frontier had been enraged to
an almost lmplacabe degree Mexican INVASION
was threatened, and general want of confidence
pervaded all ranks Emigration from the United
States had nearly ceased. and, on the contrary,
TO the States AT the termination of this disastrous
administration, Gen Houston, who had been
Gently Reelected, resumed the relns of government
under these most infecitous and appalling circum-
stances. Men had lost all confidence IN the capa-
city OF the State for sef-government.
The first measure of Houston's administration
was successful effort to improve the financial con-
dltion OF the country He caused the further issue
OF Treasury notes TO cease entirely he obtained
authority from congress to issue $20O,OOO in ex-
chequer bills, and had the receipts at the customs
pledged for their redemption he never issued the
whole amount, but only such portion abso-
luely necessary to move the machine of govern
ment, and In such judicious proportions that they
always answered the design contemplated in their
issue, nor were ever beyond the capacities of the
revenue tor convenient redemption. Gold and
silver soon reappeared. before entirely driven
from circulation, and before the close of his adj
lninlstratlon his exchequer bills were above par
In the meentlme the old treasury notes did not de-
preciate, but maintained better value in market
than before the adoption of this system. Conf
dence In the capacity of the State for selfgovcrn-
ment became restored. immigration howe i'm more
abundantly than ever, and general prosperity be-
gan to appear throughout the whole country. The
virtual peace with Mexico was re-established-the
Indians were quoted and made TO look upon Tex
as as their best friend The frontiers
tended. and every description of industry prosper
Gus and unfettered so that at the close of his adj
mlnlstralon, the population had increased to li5.
WO souls-there was sound circulating mcdi-
UNI. adequate 10 the wants of the country.
The country possesses public domain of
i3o,UoOOo acres, as means of ultimately
deeming the public debt; and upon the whole, the
situation of Texas would at this time very favora-
bly, compare with that of any of the new frontier
States,-I almost every particular.
thus II seems, that under the supervisory
genns OF Houston, remote and but little known
country, utterly destitute of foreign respect com.
parauvely without population or organizations and
containing within lis borders numerous tribes of
hostile savages, and in conflict with a nation of
100000 of people, in the short space of nine
years raised to commendable responsibility, It's
population brought from 10000 TO near 10000
SOULS and ITS consequence augmented in the
estimation of the world, that il was deemed fit TO
be incorporated into this glorious Union.
"A man, with scarcely any opportunities of early
educanon. who enllsts a common soldier In the