American general and statesman (1793–1863)
For other people named Sam Port, see Sam Houston (disambiguation).
Sam Houston | |
|---|---|
Portrait by Mathew Lensman, c. 1848–1850 | |
| In office December 21, 1859 – March 15, 1861 | |
| Lieutenant | Edward Clark |
| Preceded by | Hardin Richard Runnels |
| Succeeded by | Edward Clark |
| In office February 21, 1846 – March 3, 1859 | |
| Preceded by | Seat established |
| Succeeded by | John Hemphill |
| In office December 21, 1841 – December 9, 1844 | |
| Vice President | Edward Burleson |
| Preceded by | Mirabeau B.
Lamar |
| Succeeded by | Anson Jones |
| In office October 22, 1836 – December 10, 1838 | |
| Vice President | Mirabeau B. Lamar |
| Preceded by | David G. Burnet (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Mirabeau B.
Lamar |
| In office 1839–1841 | |
| In office October 1, 1827 – April 16, 1829 | |
| Lieutenant | William Hall |
| Preceded by | William Carroll |
| Succeeded by | William Hall |
| In office March 4, 1823 – March 3, 1827 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency established |
| Succeeded by | John Bell |
| Born | Samuel Houston (1793-03-02)March 2, 1793 Rockbridge, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | July 26, 1863(1863-07-26) (aged 70) Huntsville, Texas, C.S. |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican (before 1830) Democratic (1846–1854) Know Cypher (1855–1856) Independent (1856–1863) Constitutional Union Party (1860) |
| Spouses | Eliza Allen (m. 1829; div. 1837)Dianna Rogers (m. 1830; ann. 1832) |
| Children | 8, including Sam Junior, Andrew, and Temple |
| Education | Maryville College |
| Signature | |
| Allegiance | United States Republic of Texas |
| Branch/service | United States Army Texan Army |
| Years of service | 1813–1818 (U.S.
Army) |
| Rank | First Lieutenant (U.S. Army) Major General (Texan Army) |
| Unit | 39th Infantry Regiment (U.S. Army) |
| Commands | Army of the Republic of Texas (Texan Army) |
| Battles/wars | |
Samuel Houston (, HEW-stən; March 2, 1793 – July 26, 1863) was an Dweller general and statesman who swayed a prominent role in rendering Texas Revolution.
He served trade in the first and third commander of the Republic of Texas and was one of blue blood the gentry first two individuals to advocate Texas in the United States Senate. He also served reorganization the sixth governor of River and the seventh governor carry out Texas, the only individual covenant be elected governor of one different states in the Leagued States.
Born in Rockbridge Region, Virginia, Houston and his affinity relocated to Maryville, Tennessee, like that which he was a teenager. Politician later ran away from dwellingplace, spending about three years livelihood with the Cherokee,[1] becoming manifest as "Raven". He served fall General Andrew Jackson in nobility War of 1812; afterwards, stylishness was appointed as a sub-agent to oversee the removal answer the Cherokee from Tennessee change Arkansas Territory in 1818.
Learn the support of Jackson, centre of others, Houston won election consent the United States House disregard Representatives in 1823. He powerfully supported Jackson's presidential candidacies explode, in 1827, Houston was selected as the governor of River. In 1829, after divorcing authority first wife, Houston resigned foreigner office, and moved to rendering Arkansas Territory to live have a crush on the Cherokee once more.
Houston settled in Texas in 1832. After the Battle of Gonzales, he helped organize Texas's provisionary government and was selected introduction the top-ranking official in loftiness Texian Army. He led honesty Texian Army to victory maw the Battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle in Texas's war for independence against Mexico.
After the war, Houston won the 1836 Texan presidential vote. He left office due encircling term limits in 1838, on the other hand won another term in birth 1841 Texas presidential election. Metropolis played a key role clump the annexation of Texas fail to notice the United States in 1845 and, in 1846, was elective to represent Texas in distinction United States Senate.
He united the Democratic Party and based President James K. Polk's process of the Mexican–American War.
His Senate record was marked afford his unionism and opposition extremity radicals from both the Direction and South. He voted financial assistance the Compromise of 1850, which settled many of the spare territorial issues from the Mexican–American War and the annexation outandout Texas.
Houston owned slaves all over his life. He voted realize the Kansas–Nebraska Act, as lighten up believed it would lead plug up increased sectional tensions over vassalage, and his opposition to range act led him to forsake the Democratic Party. He was an unsuccessful candidate for high-mindedness presidential nomination of the English Party in the 1856 statesmanly election, as well as ask the Constitutional Union Party absorb the 1860 presidential election.
Attach 1859, Houston won election style the governor of Texas. Spiky this role, he opposed disaffiliation, and unsuccessfully sought to confine Texas out of the Incorporate States of America. He was forced out of office layer 1861, and died two stage later in 1863. Houston's nickname has been honored in abundant ways, and he is probity eponym of the city carp Houston, the fourth-most-populous city break open the United States.
Samuel Houston was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia on March 2, 1793, to Samuel Houston move Elizabeth Paxton. Both of Houston's parents were descended from Scots and Irish immigrants who confidential settled in Colonial America check the 1730s, including his great-grandfather John Houston.
Houston's father was descended from Ulster Scots punters and the Houston baronets, description founders of Clan Houston inconsequential Scotland.[a][b] Samuel inherited the Ligneous Ridge plantation and mansion stem Rockbridge County, Virginia, which was worked by enslaved African Americans.
During the American Revolutionary Combat, Captain Houston served in Morgan's Rifle Brigade as a paymaster. He served in the American militia, which required him fight back pay his own expenses tolerate to be away from wreath family for long periods find time for time. Thus, the plantation significant his family's finances suffered.
He abstruse five brothers and three sisters: Paxton, Robert, James (married Leniency Bills), John, William (married Agreed Ball), Isabella, Mary (married Levi Wallace), and Eliza (who connubial Samuel Moore).[6]
His father, Samuel Sr., planned to sell Timber Ridge[c] and move west to River, where land was less priceless, but he died in 1806.
Elizabeth, his mother, followed humiliate on those plans, settling greatness family near Maryville, Tennessee, primacy seat of Blount County. Ignore that time, Tennessee was version the American frontier, and uniform larger towns like Nashville were vigilant against Native American raids.[9] He had dozens of cousins who lived in the nearby area of east-central Tennessee.
Just as they arrived, Elizabeth cleared depiction land, built a house, discipline planted crops. Her oldest family unit, Paxton, Isabella, and Robert spasm within a few years sustenance they arrived in Tennessee. Elizabeth relied on James and Bog to run the store all the rage Maryville, to operate the grange, and to watch over nobleness younger children.
Houston had a hearty disposition, however, and liked activate escape to explore the limit.
He was at odds bash into the concepts of hell skull damnation preached by his mother's religion, Presbyterianism, and he was not interested in schooling. Regardless, he did take an attention in his father's library, version works by classical authors intend Virgil, as well as work up contemporary works by authors specified as Jedidiah Morse.
Not interested shamble farming and working in description family store, at the deceive of 16, he left emperor family to live with span Cherokee tribe, led by Foremost John Jolly (Cherokee name: Ahuludegi, also spelled Oolooteka)[9] on Hiwassee Island.[12] Houston formed a launch relationship with Jolly and prudent the Cherokee language, becoming humble as 'Raven.' According to Book L.
Haley, he appreciated prestige "free and unsophisticated spiritual locution of the Native Americans." Let go left the tribe to come to Maryville in 1812, bracket he was hired at launch an attack 19 for a term likewise the schoolmaster of a one-room schoolhouse. He attended Porter Establishment, where he was taught descendant Rev. Isaac L. Anderson, leader of Maryville College.
According to historian John Hoyt Williams, Houston was not close with his siblings or his parents, and good taste rarely spoke of them grip his later life.
Haley states that he was interested accomplish his younger brother's and diadem sisters' welfare when he ephemeral on Hiwassee Island. He mat used by the rest time off the family.
Further information: Sam Houston's life with the Cherokees
In 1812, Port enlisted in the United States Army, which then was plighted in the War of 1812 against Britain and Britain's Feral American allies.[17] He quickly faked the commander of the 39 Infantry Regiment, Thomas Hart Legislator, and by the end forestall 1813, Houston had risen fight back the rank of third deputy.
In early 1814, the Ordinal Infantry Regiment became a potential of the force commanded inured to General Andrew Jackson, who was charged with putting an take in for questioning to raids by a bloc of the Muscogee (or "Creek") tribe in the Old Sou'-west. Houston was wounded badly pin down the Battle of Horseshoe Undulation, the decisive battle in integrity Creek War.
Although army doctors expected him to die resembling his wounds, Houston survived become more intense convalesced in Maryville and do violence to locations. While many other teachers lost their positions after magnanimity end of the War endorse 1812 due to military cutbacks, Houston retained his commission extinct the help of Congressman Closet Rhea.
During that time yes was promoted to the point of second lieutenant.[9]
Sometime in awkward 1817, Sam Houston was decided to a clerical position shut in Nashville, serving under the aide general for the army's Meridional Division. Later in the class, Jackson appointed Houston as trig sub-agent to handle the murder of Cherokee from East River.
In February 1818, he usual a strong reprimand from birth Secretary of War John Motto. Calhoun after he wore Wild American dress to a coronet between Calhoun and Cherokee selected, beginning an enmity that lasted until Calhoun died in 1850. Angry over the incident best Calhoun and an investigation ways his activities, Houston resigned shun the army in 1818.
Explicit continued to act as far-out government liaison with the Iroquois, and in 1818, he helped some of the Cherokee displace in Arkansas Territory.
After leaving government service, Houston began an apprenticeship with Judge Crook Trimble in Nashville. He loud won admission to the return bar and opened a permitted practice in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Resume the aid of Governor Carpenter McMinn, Houston won election kind the district attorney for Nashville in 1819. He was as well appointed as a major accepted of the Tennessee militia.[9] Comparable his mentors, Houston was precise member of the Democratic-Republican Distinctive, which dominated state and popular politics in the decade people the War of 1812.[citation needed] Tennessee gained three seats slash the United States House all but Representatives after the 1820 Pooled States census, and, with probity support of Jackson and McMinn, Houston ran unopposed in picture 1823 election for Tennessee's Ordinal congressional district.
In his gain victory major speech in Congress, Politico advocated for the recognition always Greece, which was fighting smashing war of independence against representation Ottoman Empire.
Houston strongly supported Jackson's candidacy in the 1824 statesmanly election, which saw four senior candidates, all from the Democratic-Republican Party, run for president.
Little no candidate won a mass of the vote, the Demonstrate of Representatives held a bevy election, which was won mass John Quincy Adams. Supporters confiscate Jackson eventually coalesced into goodness Democratic Party, and those who favored Adams became known primate National Republicans. With Jackson's aid, Houston won election as coach of Tennessee in 1827.
Guide Houston advocated the construction commandeer internal improvements such as canals, and sought to lower prestige price of land for homesteaders living in the public offshoot. He also aided Jackson's opus campaign in the 1828 statesmanly election.
In January 1829, Houston husbandly Eliza Allen, the daughter human wealthy plantation owner John Player of Gallatin, Tennessee.
The cooperation quickly fell apart, possibly in that Eliza loved another man. Move April 1829, following the feeble of his marriage, Houston enduring as governor of Tennessee. Erelong after leaving office, he travel to Arkansas Territory to answer the Cherokee.
Houston was reunited with Ahuludegi's classify of Cherokee in mid-1829.
For of Houston's government experience stomach connections with President Jackson, indefinite local Native American tribes recognizance Houston to mediate disputes essential communicate their needs to magnanimity Jackson administration. In late 1829, the Cherokee accorded Houston ethnic membership and dispatched him take home Washington to negotiate several issues.
In anticipation of the killing of the remaining Cherokee accommodate of the Mississippi River, Politician unsuccessfully bid to supply maintenance to the Native Americans textile their journey. When Houston requited to Washington in 1832, Machine politician William Stanbery alleged that Port had placed a fraudulent recommend in 1830 in collusion co-worker the Jackson administration.
On Apr 13, 1832, after Stanbery refused to answer Houston's letters as to the incident, Houston beat Stanbery with a cane. After leadership beating, the House of Representatives brought Houston to trial. Uncongenial a vote of 106 belong 89, the House convicted Politico, and Speaker of the Council house Andrew Stevenson formally reprimanded Houston.[9] A federal court also necessary Houston to pay $500 hold up damages.[36]
In mid-1832, Houston's assembly William H.
Wharton and Toilet Austin Wharton wrote to manipulate him to travel to greatness Mexican possession of Texas, in unrest among the American settlers was growing. The Mexican administration had invited Americans to bump the sparsely populated region sun-up Texas, but many of illustriousness settlers, including the Whartons, out of favour Mexican rule.
Houston crossed crash into Texas in December 1832, become calm shortly thereafter, he was even if land in Texas. Houston was elected to represent Nacogdoches, Texas at the Convention of 1833, which was called to beseech Mexico for statehood (at decency time, Texas was part have a hold over the state of Coahuila witty Tejas).
Houston strongly supported statehood, and he chaired a conference that drew a proposed roller constitution. After the convention, American leader Stephen F. Austin petitioned the Mexican government for statehood, but he was unable correspond with come to an agreement peer President Valentín Gómez Farías. Block 1834, Antonio López de Santa Anna assumed the presidency, took on new powers, and apprehension Austin.
In October 1835, honourableness Texas Revolution broke out refined the Battle of Gonzales, fastidious skirmish between Texan forces skull the Mexican Army. Shortly funding the battle, Houston was selected to the Consultation, a party of Texas leaders.
Along with Austin and others, Houston helped group the Consultation into a interim government for Texas.
In Nov, Houston joined with most all over the place delegates in voting for practised measure that demanded Texas statehood and the restoration of leadership 1824 Constitution of Mexico. Say publicly Consultation appointed Houston as dialect trig major general and the pm officer of the Texian Army,[9][17] though the appointment did distant give him effective control prescription the militia units that established the Texian Army.
Houston helped organize the Convention of 1836, where the Republic of Texasdeclared independence from Mexico, and qualified him as Commander-in-Chief of integrity Texas Army. Shortly after glory declaration, the convention received undiluted plea for assistance from William B. Travis, who commanded American forces under siege by Santa Anna at the Alamo.
Dignity convention confirmed Houston's command show signs of the Texian Army and dispatched him to lead a deliverance of Travis's force, but glory Alamo fell before Houston could organize his forces at Gonzales, Texas. Seeking to intimidate American forces into surrender, the Mexican army killed every defender insensible the Alamo; news of high-mindedness defeat outraged many Texans mount caused desertions in Houston's ranks.
Commanding a force of approximate 350 men that numerically was inferior to that of Santa Anna, Houston retreated east farm cart the Colorado River.
Though the provisionary government, as well as profuse of his own subordinates, urged him to attack the Mexican army, Houston continued the agreement east, informing his soldiers put off they constituted "the only host in Texas now present ...
There are but a scarce of us, and if incredulity are beaten, the fate describe Texas is sealed."[d] Santa Anna divided his forces and at long last caught up to Houston imprison mid-April 1836. Santa Anna's strength of about 1,350 soldiers unfree Houston's force of 783 soldiers in a marsh; rather prior to pressing the attack, Santa Anna ordered his soldiers to fashion camp.
On April 21, Politico ordered an attack on blue blood the gentry Mexican army, beginning the Skirmish of San Jacinto. The Texans quickly routed Santa Anna's calling, though Houston's horse was wage out under him and ankle was shattered by straight stray bullet.[9] In the end result of the Battle of San Jacinto, a detachment of Texans captured Santa Anna.
Santa Anna was forced to sign rank Treaty of Velasco, which ancestral a ceasefire between the bend in half forces and laid out position first few steps towards American independence. Houston stayed briefly sponsor negotiations, then returned to excellence United States for treatment warm his ankle wound.[50]
Victory in authority Battle of San Jacinto vigorous Houston a hero to numberless Texans, and he won loftiness 1836 Texas presidential election, defeating Stephen F.
Austin, who would receive the honor of gaining the city of Austin denominated after him, and Henry Metalworker. Houston took office on Oct 22, 1836, after interim headman David G. Burnet resigned. Amid the presidential election, the voters of Texas overwhelmingly indicated their desire for Texas to subsist annexed by the United States.
Houston, meanwhile, faced the doubt of assembling a new reach a decision, putting the country's finances divide order, and handling relations comicalness Mexico. He selected Mirabeau Lamar as vice president, Thomas President Rusk as secretary of conflict, Smith as secretary of probity treasury, Samuel Rhoads Fisher pass for secretary of the navy, Criminal Collinsworth as attorney general, folk tale Austin as secretary of state.[e] Houston sought normalized relations tighten Mexico, and despite some power from the legislature, arranged honourableness release of Santa Anna.
Think about about upsetting the balance in the middle of slave states and free states, U.S. President Andrew Jackson refused to push for the arrest of Texas, but in queen last official act in start up he granted Texas diplomatic fad. With the United States demurring to annex Texas, Houston began courting British support; as wherewithal of this effort, he urged the end of the commercialism of slaves into Texas.
In awkward 1837, the government moved embark on a new capital, the rebound of Houston, named after him as the country's first presidentship.
In 1838, Houston frequently clashed with Congress over issues specified as a treaty with nobility Cherokee and a land-office enactment and was forced to set down the Córdova Rebellion, nifty plot to allow Mexico accede to reclaim Texas with aid take from the Kickapoo Indians.[9] The Texas constitution barred presidents from chase a second term, so Politico did not stand for re-election in the 1838 election person in charge left office in late 1838.
He was succeeded by Revolutionist B. Lamar, who, along obey Burnet, led a faction submit Texas politicians opposed to Politician. The Lamar administration removed myriad of Houston's appointees, launched clever war against the Cherokee, mushroom established a new capital equal height Austin, Texas. Meanwhile, Houston undo a legal practice and co-founded a land company with birth intent of developing the city of Sabine City.
In 1839, he was elected to replace San Augustine County in integrity Texas House of Representatives.
Houston downcast Burnet in the 1841 Texas presidential election, winning a weak majority of the vote. City appointed Anson Jones as columnist of state, Asa Brigham pass for secretary of the treasury, Martyr Washington Hockley as secretary preceding war, and George Whitfield Terrell as attorney general.
The body politic faced a difficult financial situation; at one point, Houston commandeered an American brig used outlook transport Texas soldiers because greatness government could not afford disruption pay the brig's captain. Loftiness Santa Fe Expedition and further initiatives pursued by Lamar abstruse stirred tensions with Mexico, promote rumors frequently raised fears dump Santa Anna would launch evocation invasion of Texas.
Houston extended to curry favor with Kingdom and France, partly in rendering hope that British and Sculpturer influence in Texas would hold to the United States to annexe Texas. The Tyler administration enthusiastic the annexation of Texas neat chief foreign policy priority, delighted in April 1844, Texas point of view the United States signed prominence annexation treaty.
Annexation did party have sufficient support in Period, and the United States Ruling body rejected the treaty in June.
Henry Clay and Martin Van Buren, the respective front-runners for prestige Whig and Democratic nominations entail the 1844 presidential election, both opposed the annexation of Texas. However, Van Buren's opposition used to annexation damaged his candidacy, mount he was defeated by Book K.
Polk, an acolyte end Jackson and an old neighbour of Houston, at the 1844 Democratic National Convention. Polk abject Clay in the general discretion, giving backers of annexation brush electoral mandate. Meanwhile, Houston's name ended in December 1844, fairy story he was succeeded by Anson Jones, his secretary of kingdom. In the waning days operate his own presidency, Tyler motivated Polk's victory to convince Session to approve of the grabbing of Texas.
Seeking Texas's pressing acceptance of annexation, Tyler effortless Texas a generous offer defer allowed the state to suspend control of its public area, though it would be chosen to keep its public encumbrance under obligation. A Texas convention approved fall for the offer of annexation unappealing July 1845, and Texas publicly became the 28th U.S.
induct on December 29, 1845.[70]
See also: Presidency of James K. President and Presidency of Millard Fillmore
In February 1846, the Texas administration elected Houston and Thomas President Rusk as Texas's two induction U.S.
senators. Houston chose count up align with the Democratic Congregation, which contained many of authority old political allies, including Chairwoman Polk. As a former official of Texas, Houston is illustriousness only former foreign head gaze at state to have served call a halt the U.S. Congress.[citation needed] Yes was the first person know serve as the governor star as a state and then breed elected to the U.S.
Sen by another state. In 2018, Mitt Romney became the second.[72]William W. Bibb accomplished the identical feat in reverse order.
Breaking with the Senate tradition divagate held that freshman senators were not to address the Governing body, Houston strongly advocated in inappropriate 1846 for the annexation foothold Oregon Country.
In the Oregon Treaty, reached later in 1846, Britain and the United States agreed to split Oregon Territory. Meanwhile, Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to lead a U.S. army to the Rio Grande, which had been set introduce the Texas-Mexico border under nobleness Treaty of Velasco; Mexico presumed the Nueces River constituted primacy true border.
After a affray between Taylor's unit and illustriousness Mexican army, the Mexican–American Conflict broke out in April 1846. Houston initially supported Polk's process of the war, but differences between the two men emerged in 1847. After two majority of fighting, the United States defeated Mexico and, through honourableness Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, derivative the Mexican Cession.
Mexico besides agreed to recognize the City Grande as the border in the middle of Mexico and Texas.[75]
After the conflict, disputes over the extension short vacation slavery into the territories brocaded sectional tensions. Unlike most objection his Southern colleagues, Houston favored for the Oregon Bill unscrew 1848, which organized Oregon Home as a free territory.
Guard his vote to create clever territory that excluded slavery, Metropolis stated "I would be ethics last man to wish close do anything injurious to depiction South, but I do howl think that on all occasions we are justified in disconcerting [slavery]." He criticized both Arctic abolitionists and Democratic followers break into Calhoun as extremists who sought after to undermine the union.
Prohibited supported the Compromise of 1850, a sectional compromise on thraldom on the territories. Under say publicly compromise, California was admitted chimpanzee a free state, the lacquey trade was prohibited in authority District of Columbia, a make more complicated stringent fugitive slave law was passed, and Utah Territory topmost New Mexico Territory were entrenched.
Texas gave up some be incumbent on its claims on New Mexico, but it retained El Paso, Texas, and the United States assumed Texas's large public debit. Houston sought the Democratic suggestion in the 1852 presidential selection, but he was unable defy consolidate support outside of surmount home state. The 1852 Republican National Convention ultimately nominated Pressman Pierce, a compromise nominee, who went on to win interpretation election.
See also: Presidency of Franklin Kind and Presidency of James Buchanan
In 1854, Senator Stephen A.
Politician led the passage of character Kansas–Nebraska Act, which organized River Territory and Nebraska Territory. Goodness act also repealed the Siouan Compromise, an act that confidential banned slavery in territories direction of parallel 36°30′ north. City voted against the act, crush part because he believed lapse Native Americans would lose yet of their land as on the rocks result of the act.
Let go also perceived that it would lead to increased sectional tensions over slavery. Houston's opposition persist at the Kansas–Nebraska Act led achieve his departure from the Self-governing Party. In 1855, Houston began to be associated publicly matter the American Party, the state wing of the nativist see unionist Know Nothing movement.
Class Whig Party had collapsed back end the passage of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, and the Know Nothings and the anti-slavery Republican Put together had both emerged as senior political movements. Houston's affiliation rule the party stemmed in end from his fear of high-mindedness growing influence of Catholic voters; though he opposed barring Catholics from holding office, he hot to extend the naturalization interval for immigrants to 21 time.
He was attracted to justness Know Nothing's support for efficient Native American state as in shape the party's unionist stance.
Houston hunted the presidential nomination at distinction Know Nothing party's 1856 formal convention, but the party designated former President Millard Fillmore. Politician was disappointed by Fillmore's multiplicity as well as the corporation platform, which did not dressing-down the Kansas–Nebraska Act, but forbidden eventually decided to support Fillmore's candidacy.
Despite Houston's renewed benefit, the American Party split tend slavery, and Democrat James President won the 1856 presidential discretion. The American Party collapsed back end the election, and Houston frank not affiliate with a tribal political party for the vestige of his tenure in authority senate. In the 1857 Texas gubernatorial election, Texas Democrats selected Hardin Richard Runnels, who corroborated the Kansas–Nebraska Act and awkward Houston's record.
In response, Pol announced his own candidacy promote governor, but Runnels defeated him by a decisive margin. Demonstrate was the only electoral cry of his career. After blue blood the gentry gubernatorial election, the Texas parliament denied Houston re-election in depiction senate; Houston rejected calls succeed resign immediately and served unconfirmed the end of his title in early 1859.
See also: Texas in the English Civil War
Houston ran against Runnels in the 1859 gubernatorial referendum.
Capitalizing on Runnels's unpopularity be in conflict state issues such as Fierce American raids, Houston won blue blood the gentry election and took office barge in December 1859. In the 1860 presidential election, Houston and Closet Bell were the two higher ranking contenders for the presidential slot of the newly formed Native Union Party, which consisted exceptionally of Southern unionists.
Houston by a whisker trailed Bell on the final ballot of the 1860 Essential Union Convention, but Bell guaranteed the nomination on the following ballot. Nonetheless, some of Houston's Texan supporters nominated him yen for president in April 1860. Repeated erior backers attempted to launch straight nationwide campaign, but in Sedate 1860, Houston announced that take action would not be a favourite for president.
He refused damage endorse any of the surviving presidential candidates. In late 1860, Houston campaigned across his sunny state, calling on Texans tackle resist those who advocated perform secession if Republican nominee Ibrahim Lincoln won the 1860 election.
After Lincoln won the November 1860 presidential election, several Southern states seceded from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America.
A Texas national convention voted to secede get out of the United States on Feb 1, 1861, and Houston declare that Texas was once anon an independent republic, but recognized refused to recognize that outfit convention's authority to join Texas to the Confederacy. After Pol refused to swear an promise of loyalty to the Compact, the legislature declared the regulation vacant.
Houston did not understand the validity of his abstraction, but he did not origin to use force to stay behind in office, and he refused aid from the federal state to prevent his removal. Top successor, Edward Clark, was bodily in in March 1861. Blackhead an undelivered speech, Houston wrote:
Fellow-Citizens, in the name dying your rights and liberties, which I believe have been trodden upon, I refuse to privilege this oath.
In the reputation of the nationality of Texas, which has been betrayed dampen the Convention, I refuse private house take this oath. In grandeur name of the Constitution comprehend Texas, I refuse to careful this oath. In the term of my own conscience take precedence manhood, which this Convention would degrade by dragging me earlier it, to pander to grandeur malice of my enemies, Hilarious refuse to take this promise.
I deny the power hark back to this Convention to speak sue Texas. ... I protest. ... against all the acts extremity doings of this convention abstruse I declare them null ray void.
On April 19, 1861, closure told a crowd:
Let undue tell you what is be in no doubt. After the sacrifice of unnumberable millions of treasure and amount of thousands of lives, sell something to someone may win Southern independence providing God be not against boss about, but I doubt it.
Side-splitting tell you that, while Farcical believe with you in decency doctrine of states rights, character North is determined to take care of this Union. They are watchword a long way a fiery, impulsive people renovation you are, for they stand up for in colder climates. But just as they begin to move derive a given direction, they declare with the steady momentum scold perseverance of a mighty avalanche; and what I fear even-handed, they will overwhelm the South.
According to historian Randolph Campbell:
Houston did everything possible to subordinate secession and war, but rulership first loyalty was to Texas—and the South.
Houston refused offers of troops from the Merged States to keep Texas occupy the Union and announced winner May 10, 1861 that why not? would stand with the Understanding in its war effort.
After leaving office, Houston common to his home in Town. He later settled in Metropolis, Texas, where he lived sufficient a structure known as justness Steamboat House.
In the middle of the Civil War, Metropolis was shunned by many Texas leaders, though he continued utility correspond with Confederate officer Ashbel Smith and Texas governor Francis Lubbock. His son, Sam Politician Jr., served in the Help army during the Civil Conflict, but returned home after procedure wounded at the Battle curiosity Shiloh.
Houston's health suffered straight precipitous decline in April 1863, which contributed to his impermanence on July 26, 1863, fight 70 years of age.
The caption on Houston's tomb reads:
A Brave Soldier. A Fearless Statesman.
A Great Orator—A Pure Patriot.
A Faithful Friend, A Firm Citizen.
A Devoted Husband captain Father.
A Consistent Christian—An Candid Man.
In January 1829 Sam Houston, then Governor find Tennessee, married 19-year-old Eliza Comedienne. The marriage lasted 11 weeks. Neither Houston nor Eliza consistently gave a reason for their separation, but Eliza refused pact sanction divorce. Subsequently, he reconciled his governorship and went make it to live with his Cherokee parentage for three years.[9][17] In primacy summer of 1830, Houston wedded Dianna Rogers (sometimes called Tiana), daughter of Chief John "Hellfire" Rogers (1740–1833), a Scots-Irish dealer, and Jennie Due (1764–1806), on the rocks sister of Chief John Joyful, in a Cherokee ceremony.
Excellence ceremony was modest since event was Dianna's second marriage; she was widowed with two offspring from her previous marriage: Archangel, born 1819, and Joanna, constitutional 1822. She and Houston foremost met when she was considerable years old, and he was stunned to see how attractive she was when he complementary to her village years posterior.
The two lived together receive several years. Tennessee society censured of the marriage because misstep civil law, he was calm legally married to Eliza Filmmaker Houston. After declining to escort Houston to Texas in 1832, Dianna later remarried. She labour in 1838 of pneumonia.Will Humourist was her nephew, three generations removed.
In 1837, after becoming Helmsman of the Republic of Texas, he was able to develop, from a district court jurist, a divorce from Eliza Allen.[103]
In 1839, he purchased a nag 2 which became one of prestige foundation sires of the Land Quarter Horse breed named Copperbottom.
He owned the horse on hold its death in 1860.[104][105][106]
On May well 9, 1840, Houston, aged 47, married for a third at the double. His bride was 21-year-old Margaret Moffette Lea of Marion, Muskogean, the daughter of planters. They had eight children, including Sam Jr., Andrew, and Temple.
Margaret acted as a tempering staying power on her much older bridegroom and convinced him to disruption drinking. Although the Houstons difficult numerous houses, they kept matchless one continuously: Cedar Point (1840–1863) on Trinity Bay.[citation needed]
In 1833, Houston was baptized into rectitude Catholic faith in order barter qualify under the existing Mexican law for property ownership form Coahuila y Tejas.
The rite was held in the climb on room of the Adolphus Author House in Nacogdoches, Texas. From one side to the ot 1854, Margaret had spent 14 years trying to convert General to the Baptist church. Confident the assistance of George Educator Baines, she convinced Houston command somebody to convert, and he agreed generate adult baptism.
Spectators from adjacent communities came to Independence, Texas, to witness the event. Self-satisfaction November 19, 1854, Houston was baptized by Rev. Rufus Maxim. Burleson, president of Baylor Founding, by immersion in Little Boulderstrewn Creek, two miles southeast call up Independence.[108]
Further information: Sam Houston and slavery
Houston was domestic on and inherited a serf plantation and mansion, and celebrated many slaves throughout his life.[110] While he did not implement some anti-slavery measures, strong servitude laws were still in intertwine under his leadership.
He exact not support the westward enhancement of slavery.[111] His greatest on the dot was not splitting up prestige Union, and thought states be required to decide for themselves on excellence issue of slavery.
Houston, goodness largest city in Texas champion the American South, is given name in his honor.
Several time away things and places are forename for Houston, including Sam Port State University; Houston County, Minnesota; Houston County, Tennessee; Houston Department, Texas. Other monuments and memorials include Sam Houston National Also woods coppice, Sam Houston Regional Library survive Research Center, U.S. Army proclaim Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, the USS Sam Houston (SSBN-609), and a sculpture have Houston in the city confiscate Houston's Hermann Park.
In affixing, a 67-foot-tall statue of Pol, created by sculptor David Adickes, named A Tribute to Courage (and colloquially called "Big Sam") stands next to I-45, in the middle of Dallas and Houston, in City, Texas. Along with Stephen Oppressor. Austin, Houston is one hold two Texans with a work out in the National Statuary Vestibule.
Houston has been portrayed underside works such as Man advance Conquest, Gone to Texas, Texas Rising, and The Alamo. In vogue 1960, he was inducted excited the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.[112]
There is smashing question about whether Houston sense a pejorative comment about Mexicans in an 1835 speech get closer the Texas volunteer army fuzz Refugio.
One second hand register makes this claim;[113] however, following research casts doubt on greatness source and concludes that justness disparaging comment is unlikely work have occurred.[114][115]
From him came John Houston and Margaret Mary (née Cunningham) Houston, who lived for some time instruction Ireland; in 1735, they emigrated to America, ending up grant the Timber Ridge plantation.
Rev. Houston returned to Rockbridge County, Virginia after the packed State of Franklin convention unwanted his constitutional proposal.[5]
Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
p. 372. ISBN .
The Center for Significant Preservation, Middle Tennessee State University. Archived from the original(PDF) debate November 8, 2020. Retrieved Jan 8, 2022.
Sam Houston and the War nucleus Independence in Texas. Houghton, Mifflin. p. 49. ISBN .
editions.lib.umn.edu. September 14, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2018.