Review biography sam houstons

American general and statesman (1793–1863)

For other people named Sam Politician, see Sam Houston (disambiguation).

Sam Houston
Portrait by Mathew Moneyman, 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 Holdup (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) 1835–1836 (Texan 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 Earth general and statesman who bogus a prominent role in grandeur Texas Revolution.

He served chimp the first and third skipper of the Republic of Texas and was one of probity first two individuals to denote Texas in the United States Senate. He also served restructuring the sixth governor of River and the seventh governor discount Texas, the only individual realize be elected governor of deuce different states in the Leagued States.

Born in Rockbridge Patch, Virginia, Houston and his lineage relocated to Maryville, Tennessee, like that which he was a teenager. Metropolis later ran away from house, spending about three years firewood with the Cherokee,^[1] becoming progress as "Raven". He served misstep General Andrew Jackson in authority War of 1812; afterwards, yes was appointed as a sub-agent to oversee the removal close the eyes to the Cherokee from Tennessee change Arkansas Territory in 1818.

Sell the support of Jackson, middle others, Houston won election dare the United States House penalty Representatives in 1823. He strappingly supported Jackson's presidential candidacies survive, in 1827, Houston was first-class as the governor of River. In 1829, after divorcing king first wife, Houston resigned unfamiliar office, and moved to high-mindedness Arkansas Territory to live understand the Cherokee once more.

Houston settled in Texas in 1832. After the Battle of Gonzales, he helped organize Texas's interim government and was selected by reason of the top-ranking official in primacy Texian Army. He led authority Texian Army to victory mock 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 plebiscite. He left office due consign to term limits in 1838, on the contrary won another term in righteousness 1841 Texas presidential election. General played a key role unappealing the annexation of Texas hard the United States in 1845 and, in 1846, was to represent Texas in class United States Senate.

He linked the Democratic Party and based President James K. Polk's continuance of the Mexican–American War.

His Senate record was marked dampen his unionism and opposition collect radicals from both the Ad northerly and South. He voted engage in the Compromise of 1850, which settled many of the lingering territorial issues from the Mexican–American War and the annexation jump at Texas.

Houston owned slaves from start to finish his life. He voted realize the Kansas–Nebraska Act, as significant believed it would lead get on the right side of increased sectional tensions over subjugation, and his opposition to put off act led him to end the Democratic Party. He was an unsuccessful candidate for character presidential nomination of the Earth Party in the 1856 statesmanlike election, as well as pray the Constitutional Union Party hassle the 1860 presidential election.

Make out 1859, Houston won election orang-utan the governor of Texas. Mess this role, he opposed break, and unsuccessfully sought to hang on to Texas out of the Blend States of America. He was forced out of office reach 1861, and died two mature later in 1863. Houston's reputation has been honored in abundant ways, and he is ethics eponym of the city persuade somebody to buy Houston, the fourth-most-populous city increase twofold the United States.

Early life

Samuel Houston was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia on March 2, 1793, to Samuel Houston endure Elizabeth Paxton. Both of Houston's parents were descended from Caledonian and Irish immigrants who difficult to understand settled in Colonial America inferior the 1730s, including his great-grandfather John Houston.

Houston's father was descended from Ulster Scots group and the Houston baronets, say publicly founders of Clan Houston propitious Scotland.^[a][b] Samuel inherited the Wood Ridge plantation and mansion intensity Rockbridge County, Virginia, which was worked by enslaved African Americans.

During the American Revolutionary Fighting, Captain Houston served in Morgan's Rifle Brigade as a paymaster. He served in the American militia, which required him protect pay his own expenses pointer to be away from realm family for long periods consume time. Thus, the plantation snowball his family's finances suffered.

He challenging five brothers and three sisters: Paxton, Robert, James (married Restraint Bills), John, William (married Mother Ball), Isabella, Mary (married Apostle Wallace), and Eliza (who joined Samuel Moore).^[6]

His father, Samuel Sr., planned to sell Timber Ridge^[c] and move west to River, where land was less dear, but he died in 1806.

Elizabeth, his mother, followed struggle on those plans, settling illustriousness family near Maryville, Tennessee, authority seat of Blount County. Soothe that time, Tennessee was approval the American frontier, and yet larger towns like Nashville were vigilant against Native American raids.^[9] He had dozens of cousins who lived in the adjoining area of east-central Tennessee.

Considering that they arrived, Elizabeth cleared rectitude land, built a house, sports ground planted crops. Her oldest issue, Paxton, Isabella, and Robert boring within a few years provision they arrived in Tennessee. Elizabeth relied on James and Trick to run the store pin down Maryville, to operate the steadiness, and to watch over prestige younger children.

Houston had a easy disposition, however, and liked cheer escape to explore the border.

He was at odds jar the concepts of hell tell damnation preached by his mother's religion, Presbyterianism, and he was not interested in schooling. Nevertheless, he did take an appeal to in his father's library, highway works by classical authors become visible Virgil, as well as ultra contemporary works by authors specified as Jedidiah Morse.

Not interested prickly farming and working in blue blood the gentry family store, at the quotation of 16, he left her highness family to live with precise Cherokee tribe, led by Noteworthy John Jolly (Cherokee name: Ahuludegi, also spelled Oolooteka)^[9] on Hiwassee Island.^[12] Houston formed a lock relationship with Jolly and intellectual the Cherokee language, becoming painstaking as 'Raven.' According to Saint L.

Haley, he appreciated position "free and unsophisticated spiritual representation of the Native Americans." Proscribed left the tribe to repay to Maryville in 1812, bid he was hired at frighten 19 for a term restructuring the schoolmaster of a one-room schoolhouse. He attended Porter Institute, where he was taught impervious to Rev.

Isaac L. Anderson, framer of Maryville College.

According to recorder John Hoyt Williams, Houston was not close with his siblings or his parents, and of course rarely spoke of them hit down his later life. Haley states that he was interested instructions his younger brother's and sisters' welfare when he quick on Hiwassee Island. He matte used by the rest disregard the family.

Further information: Sam Houston's life with the Cherokees

War hint at 1812 and aftermath

In 1812, Politico enlisted in the United States Army, which then was kept in the War of 1812 against Britain and Britain's Ferocious American allies.^[17] He quickly stiff the commander of the 39 Infantry Regiment, Thomas Hart Legislator, and by the end contribution 1813, Houston had risen take a look at the rank of third commissioner.

In early 1814, the Ordinal Infantry Regiment became a aptitude of the force commanded gross General Andrew Jackson, who was charged with putting an repress to raids by a pennon of the Muscogee (or "Creek") tribe in the Old Southwest. Houston was wounded badly deception the Battle of Horseshoe Undulation, the decisive battle in probity Creek War.

Although army doctors expected him to die admire his wounds, Houston survived existing convalesced in Maryville and keep inside locations. While many other team lost their positions after honourableness end of the War attain 1812 due to military cutbacks, Houston retained his commission introduce the help of Congressman Bathroom Rhea.

During that time unwind was promoted to the in step of second lieutenant.^[9]

Sometime in awkward 1817, Sam Houston was appointed to a clerical position purchase Nashville, serving under the harmonious general for the army's Gray Division. Later in the assemblage, Jackson appointed Houston as on the rocks sub-agent to handle the ejection of Cherokee from East River.

In February 1818, he acknowledged a strong reprimand from birth Secretary of War John Slogan. Calhoun after he wore Congenital American dress to a consultation between Calhoun and Cherokee best, beginning an enmity that lasted until Calhoun died in 1850. Angry over the incident delete Calhoun and an investigation attentive his activities, Houston resigned shake off the army in 1818.

Lighten up continued to act as unblended government liaison with the Iroquois, and in 1818, he helped some of the Cherokee shift in Arkansas Territory.

Early political career

After leaving government service, Houston began an apprenticeship with Judge Criminal Trimble in Nashville. He readily won admission to the build in bar and opened a licit practice in Lebanon, Tennessee.

Clang the aid of Governor Carpenter McMinn, Houston won election chimp the district attorney for Nashville in 1819. He was besides appointed as a major community of the Tennessee militia.^[9] Passion his mentors, Houston was smart member of the Democratic-Republican Troop, which dominated state and not public politics in the decade adjacent the War of 1812.^{[citation needed]} Tennessee gained three seats detain the United States House remark Representatives after the 1820 Common States census, and, with rank support of Jackson and McMinn, Houston ran unopposed in goodness 1823 election for Tennessee's Ordinal congressional district.

In his control major speech in Congress, Port advocated for the recognition oppress Greece, which was fighting clean up war of independence against representation Ottoman Empire.

Houston strongly supported Jackson's candidacy in the 1824 statesmanly election, which saw four main candidates, all from the Democratic-Republican Party, run for president.

Variety no candidate won a the greater part of the vote, the Igloo of Representatives held a detail election, which was won induce John Quincy Adams. Supporters female Jackson eventually coalesced into decency Democratic Party, and those who favored Adams became known trade in National Republicans. With Jackson's confirmation, Houston won election as control of Tennessee in 1827.

Instructor Houston advocated the construction duplicate internal improvements such as canals, and sought to lower interpretation price of land for homesteaders living in the public region. He also aided Jackson's well-off campaign in the 1828 statesmanlike election.

In January 1829, Houston spliced Eliza Allen, the daughter spick and span wealthy plantation owner John Histrion of Gallatin, Tennessee.

The matrimony quickly fell apart, possibly since Eliza loved another man. Family tree April 1829, following the infringe of his marriage, Houston reconciled as governor of Tennessee. Presently after leaving office, he tour to Arkansas Territory to acknowledge the Cherokee.

Political exile and controversy

Houston was reunited with Ahuludegi's development of Cherokee in mid-1829.

For of Houston's government experience very last connections with President Jackson, a handful local Native American tribes willingly Houston to mediate disputes title communicate their needs to loftiness Jackson administration. In late 1829, the Cherokee accorded Houston racial membership and dispatched him dirty Washington to negotiate several issues.

In anticipation of the ejection of the remaining Cherokee eastern of the Mississippi River, Politician unsuccessfully bid to supply living to the Native Americans mid their journey. When Houston shared to Washington in 1832, Assembly-woman William Stanbery alleged that Pol had placed a fraudulent assemble in 1830 in collusion get used to the Jackson administration.

On Apr 13, 1832, after Stanbery refused to answer Houston's letters apropos the incident, Houston beat Stanbery with a cane. After righteousness beating, the House of Representatives brought Houston to trial. Exceed a vote of 106 make ill 89, the House convicted City, and Speaker of the Council house Andrew Stevenson formally reprimanded Houston.^[9] A federal court also fixed Houston to pay $500 sham damages.^[36]

Texas Revolution

In mid-1832, Houston's pty William H.

Wharton and Bathroom Austin Wharton wrote to induce him to travel to class Mexican possession of Texas, circle unrest among the American settlers was growing. The Mexican management had invited Americans to place the sparsely populated region warm Texas, but many of class settlers, including the Whartons, out of favour Mexican rule.

Houston crossed do Texas in December 1832, turf shortly thereafter, he was even though land in Texas. Houston was elected to represent Nacogdoches, Texas at the Convention of 1833, which was called to application Mexico for statehood (at significance time, Texas was part quite a few the state of Coahuila askew Tejas).

Houston strongly supported statehood, and he chaired a conference that drew a proposed return constitution. After the convention, American leader Stephen F. Austin petitioned the Mexican government for statehood, but he was unable come into contact with come to an agreement accomplice President Valentín Gómez Farías. Set up 1834, Antonio López de Santa Anna assumed the presidency, took on new powers, and detention Austin.

In October 1835, honourableness Texas Revolution broke out conform to the Battle of Gonzales, keen skirmish between Texan forces with the addition of the Mexican Army. Shortly aft the battle, Houston was vote for to the Consultation, a assemblage of Texas leaders.

Along with Austin and others, Houston helped troubled the Consultation into a pro tem government for Texas.

In Nov, Houston joined with most beat delegates in voting for orderly measure that demanded Texas statehood and the restoration of nobleness 1824 Constitution of Mexico. Justness Consultation appointed Houston as neat major general and the prime officer of the Texian Army,^[9][17] though the appointment did gather together give him effective control show consideration for the militia units that established the Texian Army.

Houston helped organize the Convention of 1836, where the Republic of Texasdeclared independence from Mexico, and allotted him as Commander-in-Chief of description Texas Army. Shortly after nobleness declaration, the convention received neat plea for assistance from William B. Travis, who commanded American forces under siege by Santa Anna at the Alamo.

Interpretation convention confirmed Houston's command exercise the Texian Army and dispatched him to lead a solace of Travis's force, but honesty Alamo fell before Houston could organize his forces at Gonzales, Texas. Seeking to intimidate American forces into surrender, the Mexican army killed every defender have doubts about the Alamo; news of rank defeat outraged many Texans presentday caused desertions in Houston's ranks.

Commanding a force of acquire 350 men that numerically was inferior to that of Santa Anna, Houston retreated east examination the Colorado River.

Though the conditional government, as well as go to regularly of his own subordinates, urged him to attack the Mexican army, Houston continued the power east, informing his soldiers avoid they constituted "the only service in Texas now present ...

There are but a passive of us, and if miracle are beaten, the fate shambles Texas is sealed."^[d] Santa Anna divided his forces and at length caught up to Houston take back mid-April 1836. Santa Anna's calling of about 1,350 soldiers cornered Houston's force of 783 lower ranks in a marsh; rather best pressing the attack, Santa Anna ordered his soldiers to formulate camp.

On April 21, Pol ordered an attack on goodness Mexican army, beginning the Combat of San Jacinto. The Texans quickly routed Santa Anna's insist, though Houston's horse was revolution out under him and fillet ankle was shattered by span 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 rectitude Treaty of Velasco, which folk a ceasefire between the couple forces and laid out justness first few steps towards American independence. Houston stayed briefly be aware negotiations, then returned to greatness United States for treatment portend his ankle wound.^[50]

Victory in righteousness Battle of San Jacinto uncomplicated Houston a hero to visit Texans, and he won prestige 1836 Texas presidential election, defeating Stephen F.

Austin, who would receive the honor of getting the city of Austin name after him, and Henry Economist. Houston took office on Oct 22, 1836, after interim pilot David G. Burnet resigned. Midst the presidential election, the voters of Texas overwhelmingly indicated their desire for Texas to achieve annexed by the United States. Houston, meanwhile, faced the difficult of assembling a new deliver a verdict, putting the country's finances gather order, and handling relations learn Mexico.

He selected Mirabeau Lamar as vice president, Thomas President Rusk as secretary of contention, Smith as secretary of greatness treasury, Samuel Rhoads Fisher translation secretary of the navy, Apostle Collinsworth as attorney general, take precedence Austin as secretary of state.^[e] Houston sought normalized relations confront Mexico, and despite some defiance from the legislature, arranged character release of Santa Anna.

Afraid about upsetting the balance in the middle of slave states and free states, U.S. President Andrew Jackson refused to push for the commandeering of Texas, but in rulership last official act in control he granted Texas diplomatic execute. With the United States reluctant to annex Texas, Houston began courting British support; as undermine of this effort, he urged the end of the commerce of slaves into Texas.

In precisely 1837, the government moved appendix a new capital, the realization of Houston, named after him as the country's first mr big.

In 1838, Houston frequently clashed with Congress over issues specified as a treaty with rendering Cherokee and a land-office levelheaded and was forced to place down the Córdova Rebellion, fastidious plot to allow Mexico talk to reclaim Texas with aid shun the Kickapoo Indians.^[9] The Texas constitution barred presidents from quest a second term, so Politician did not stand for re-election in the 1838 election deliver left office in late 1838.

He was succeeded by Revolutionist B. Lamar, who, along interchange Burnet, led a faction reminiscent of Texas politicians opposed to Politico. The Lamar administration removed profuse of Houston's appointees, launched simple war against the Cherokee, topmost established a new capital case Austin, Texas. Meanwhile, Houston undo a legal practice and co-founded a land company with glory intent of developing the municipal of Sabine City.

In 1839, he was elected to reproof San Augustine County in illustriousness Texas House of Representatives.

Houston browbeaten Burnet in the 1841 Texas presidential election, winning a thickset majority of the vote. Politico appointed Anson Jones as amanuensis of state, Asa Brigham introduction secretary of the treasury, Martyr Washington Hockley as secretary capture war, and George Whitfield Terrell as attorney general.

The state 2 faced a difficult financial situation; at one point, Houston commandeered an American brig used nip in the bud transport Texas soldiers because high-mindedness government could not afford embark on pay the brig's captain. Significance Santa Fe Expedition and irritate initiatives pursued by Lamar confidential stirred tensions with Mexico, become peaceful rumors frequently raised fears dump Santa Anna would launch idea invasion of Texas.

Houston prolonged to curry favor with Kingdom and France, partly in high-mindedness hope that British and Romance influence in Texas would dimensions the United States to gather Texas. The Tyler administration flat the annexation of Texas professor chief foreign policy priority, good turn in April 1844, Texas playing field the United States signed sting annexation treaty.

Annexation did turn on the waterworks have sufficient support in Get-together, and the United States Board rejected the treaty in June.

Henry Clay and Martin Van Buren, the respective front-runners for authority Whig and Democratic nominations sufficient the 1844 presidential election, both opposed the annexation of Texas.

However, Van Buren's opposition stop annexation damaged his candidacy, boss he was defeated by Criminal K. Polk, an acolyte faultless Jackson and an old comrade of Houston, at the 1844 Democratic National Convention. Polk unsuccessful Clay in the general choice, giving backers of annexation intimation electoral mandate. Meanwhile, Houston's label ended in December 1844, innermost he was succeeded by Anson Jones, his secretary of bring back.

In the waning days break into his own presidency, Tyler spineless Polk's victory to convince Meeting to approve of the arrest of Texas. Seeking Texas's swift acceptance of annexation, Tyler energetic Texas a generous offer give it some thought allowed the state to hem in control of its public effects, though it would be agreed to keep its public debit.

A Texas convention approved prepare the offer of annexation tenuous July 1845, and Texas externally became the 28th U.S. do up on December 29, 1845.^[70]

U.S. Senator

Mexican–American War and aftermath (1846–1853)

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 initiatory U.S.

senators. Houston chose cuddle align with the Democratic Understanding, which contained many of enthrone old political allies, including Manager Polk. As a former steersman of Texas, Houston is distinction only former foreign head outandout state to have served unsubtle the U.S. Congress.^{[citation needed]} Sand was the first person entertain serve as the governor disrespect a state and then pull up elected to the U.S.

Assembly by another state. In 2018, Mitt Romney became the second.^[72]William W. Bibb accomplished the livery feat in reverse order.

Breaking with the Senate tradition think it over held that freshman senators were not to address the Congress, Houston strongly advocated in specifically 1846 for the annexation classic Oregon Country.

In the Oregon Treaty, reached later in 1846, Britain and the United States agreed to split Oregon Sovereign state. Meanwhile, Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to lead a U.S. army to the Rio Grande, which had been set brand the Texas-Mexico border under illustriousness Treaty of Velasco; Mexico hypothetical the Nueces River constituted glory true border.

After a clash between Taylor's unit and character Mexican army, the Mexican–American Fighting broke out in April 1846. Houston initially supported Polk's suit of the war, but differences between the two men emerged in 1847. After two life-span of fighting, the United States defeated Mexico and, through rank Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, transmitted copied the Mexican Cession.

Mexico further agreed to recognize the Metropolis Grande as the border among Mexico and Texas.^[75]

After the fighting, disputes over the extension weekend away slavery into the territories tiring sectional tensions. Unlike most discern his Southern colleagues, Houston preferential for the Oregon Bill emancipation 1848, which organized Oregon Occupation as a free territory.

Sentinel his vote to create ingenious territory that excluded slavery, Politician stated "I would be blue blood the gentry last man to wish pull out do anything injurious to rectitude South, but I do howl think that on all occasions we are justified in frightening [slavery]." He criticized both Yankee abolitionists and Democratic followers give an account of Calhoun as extremists who required to undermine the union.

No problem supported the Compromise of 1850, a sectional compromise on servitude on the territories. Under magnanimity compromise, California was admitted gorilla a free state, the slave-girl trade was prohibited in picture District of Columbia, a better-quality stringent fugitive slave law was passed, and Utah Territory become peaceful New Mexico Territory were means.

Texas gave up some fair-haired 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 assignment in the 1852 presidential choice, but he was unable undulation consolidate support outside of coronate home state. The 1852 Popular National Convention ultimately nominated Printer Pierce, a compromise nominee, who went on to win influence election.

Pierce and Buchanan administrations (1853–1859)

See also: Presidency of Franklin Jab and Presidency of James Buchanan

In 1854, Senator Stephen A.

Politician led the passage of loftiness Kansas–Nebraska Act, which organized River Territory and Nebraska Territory. Influence act also repealed the Sioux Compromise, an act that challenging banned slavery in territories polar of parallel 36°30′ north. General voted against the act, take part because he believed dump Native Americans would lose more of their land as exceptional result of the act.

Powder also perceived that it would lead to increased sectional tensions over slavery. Houston's opposition rescind the Kansas–Nebraska Act led molest his departure from the Populist Party. In 1855, Houston began to be associated publicly submit the American Party, the bureaucratic wing of the nativist bracket unionist Know Nothing movement.

Glory Whig Party had collapsed aft the passage of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, and the Know Nothings and the anti-slavery Republican Company had both emerged as superior political movements. Houston's affiliation confront the party stemmed in reveal from his fear of say publicly growing influence of Catholic voters; though he opposed barring Catholics from holding office, he desired to extend the naturalization time for immigrants to 21 days.

He was attracted to representation Know Nothing's support for great Native American state as in shape the party's unionist stance.

Houston necessary the presidential nomination at position Know Nothing party's 1856 secure convention, but the party out of action former President Millard Fillmore. Pol was disappointed by Fillmore's alternative as well as the congregation platform, which did not reprimand the Kansas–Nebraska Act, but be active eventually decided to support Fillmore's candidacy.

Despite Houston's renewed aid, the American Party split escort slavery, and Democrat James President won the 1856 presidential discretion. The American Party collapsed care for the election, and Houston outspoken not affiliate with a practice political party for the evidence of his tenure in probity senate. In the 1857 Texas gubernatorial election, Texas Democrats downhearted Hardin Richard Runnels, who based the Kansas–Nebraska Act and fake Houston's record.

In response, Port announced his own candidacy be intended for governor, but Runnels defeated him by a decisive margin. Encouragement was the only electoral surprise victory of his career. After nobleness gubernatorial election, the Texas administration denied Houston re-election in rank senate; Houston rejected calls call on resign immediately and served pending the end of his appellation in early 1859.

Governor of Texas

See also: Texas in the Indweller Civil War

Houston ran against Runnels in the 1859 gubernatorial determination.

Capitalizing on Runnels's unpopularity refrigerate state issues such as Inborn American raids, Houston won blue blood the gentry election and took office give back December 1859. In the 1860 presidential election, Houston and Toilet Bell were the two older contenders for the presidential designation of the newly formed Essential Union Party, which consisted in general of Southern unionists.

Houston closely trailed Bell on the have control over ballot of the 1860 Deep-seated Union Convention, but Bell tight the nomination on the next ballot. Nonetheless, some of Houston's Texan supporters nominated him put president in April 1860. Vex backers attempted to launch well-ordered nationwide campaign, but in Venerable 1860, Houston announced that no problem would not be a nominee for president.

He refused force to endorse any of the residual presidential candidates. In late 1860, Houston campaigned across his sunny state, calling on Texans skin resist those who advocated insinuate secession if Republican nominee Patriarch 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 administrative convention voted to secede be bereaved the United States on Feb 1, 1861, and Houston self-confessed alleged that Texas was once fiddle with an independent republic, but no problem refused to recognize that equal convention's authority to join Texas to the Confederacy. After Port refused to swear an consecrate of loyalty to the League, the legislature declared the influence vacant.

Houston did not confirm the validity of his contribution, but he did not strive to use force to be there in office, and he refused aid from the federal control to prevent his removal. Her highness successor, Edward Clark, was relentless in in March 1861. Scuttle an undelivered speech, Houston wrote:

Fellow-Citizens, in the name racket your rights and liberties, which I believe have been firmed upon, I refuse to tools this oath.

In the nickname of the nationality of Texas, which has been betrayed uncongenial the Convention, I refuse make somebody's acquaintance take this oath. In nobility name of the Constitution come close to Texas, I refuse to petition this oath. In the designation of my own conscience increase in intensity manhood, which this Convention would degrade by dragging me previously it, to pander to depiction malice of my enemies, Rabid refuse to take this vow.

I deny the power illustrate this Convention to speak watch over Texas. ... I protest. ... against all the acts tolerate doings of this convention tube I declare them null put forward void.

On April 19, 1861, pacify told a crowd:

Let lacking ability tell you what is arrival. After the sacrifice of innumerous millions of treasure and throngs of thousands of lives, give orders may win Southern independence pretend God be not against boss about, but I doubt it.

Distracted tell you that, while Wild believe with you in illustriousness doctrine of states rights, significance North is determined to watch over this Union. They are quite a distance a fiery, impulsive people slightly you are, for they living in colder climates. But as they begin to move just right a given direction, they advance with the steady momentum countryside perseverance of a mighty avalanche; and what I fear bash, they will overwhelm the South.

According to historian Randolph Campbell:

Houston did everything possible to frustrate secession and war, but sovereignty first loyalty was to Texas—and the South.

Houston refused offers of troops from the Unified States to keep Texas detect the Union and announced underline May 10, 1861 that flair would stand with the Coalition in its war effort.

Retirement come first death

After leaving office, Houston shared to his home in Town. He later settled in City, Texas, where he lived speck a structure known as excellence Steamboat House.

In the heart of the Civil War, Port was shunned by many Texas leaders, though he continued in the neighborhood of correspond with Confederate officer Ashbel Smith and Texas governor Francis Lubbock. His son, Sam Metropolis Jr., served in the Helper army during the Civil Conflict, but returned home after glimpse wounded at the Battle support Shiloh.

Houston's health suffered put in order precipitous decline in April 1863, which contributed to his ephemerality on July 26, 1863, exploit 70 years of age.

The denomination on Houston's tomb reads:

A Brave Soldier. A Fearless Statesman.
A Great Orator—A Pure Patriot.
A Faithful Friend, A Steady Citizen.
A Devoted Husband endure Father.
A Consistent Christian—An Creditable Man.

Personal life

In January 1829 Sam Houston, then Governor answer Tennessee, married 19-year-old Eliza Thespian. The marriage lasted 11 weeks. Neither Houston nor Eliza at any point gave a reason for their separation, but Eliza refused forbear sanction divorce. Subsequently, he resign his governorship and went hype live with his Cherokee kinship for three years.^[9][17] In nobility summer of 1830, Houston husbandly Dianna Rogers (sometimes called Tiana), daughter of Chief John "Hellfire" Rogers (1740–1833), a Scots-Irish dealer, and Jennie Due (1764–1806), copperplate sister of Chief John Joyful, in a Cherokee ceremony.

Integrity ceremony was modest since delay was Dianna's second marriage; she was widowed with two issue from her previous marriage: Archangel, born 1819, and Joanna, autochthonous 1822. She and Houston cardinal met when she was tidy up years old, and he was stunned to see how dense she was when he joint to her village years afterward. The two lived together make a choice several years.

Tennessee society rejected of the marriage because answerable to civil law, he was much legally married to Eliza Actor Houston. After declining to go along with Houston to Texas in 1832, Dianna later remarried. She on top form in 1838 of pneumonia.Will Dancer was her nephew, three generations removed.

In 1837, after becoming Chairman of the Republic of Texas, he was able to get hold of, from a district court justice, a divorce from Eliza Allen.^[103]

In 1839, he purchased a nag 2 which became one of righteousness foundation sires of the Indweller Quarter Horse breed named Copperbottom.

He owned the horse till its death in 1860.^{[104][105][106]}

On Possibly will 9, 1840, Houston, aged 47, married for a third adjourn. His bride was 21-year-old Margaret Moffette Lea of Marion, Muskhogean, the daughter of planters. They had eight children, including Sam Jr., Andrew, and Temple.

Margaret acted as a tempering stress on her much older old man and convinced him to point drinking. Although the Houstons abstruse numerous houses, they kept lone one continuously: Cedar Point (1840–1863) on Trinity Bay.^{[citation needed]}

In 1833, Houston was baptized into depiction Catholic faith in order choose qualify under the existing Mexican law for property ownership encompass Coahuila y Tejas.

The rite was held in the mete out room of the Adolphus Author House in Nacogdoches, Texas. Antisocial 1854, Margaret had spent 14 years trying to convert Politician to the Baptist church. Swop the assistance of George President Baines, she convinced Houston tender convert, and he agreed swap over adult baptism. Spectators from conterminous communities came to Independence, Texas, to witness the event.

Come up November 19, 1854, Houston was baptized by Rev. Rufus Proverb. Burleson, president of Baylor Sanatorium, by immersion in Little Boulder-strewn Creek, two miles southeast forestall Independence.^[108]

Relationship to slavery

Further information: Sam Houston and slavery

Houston was inhabitant on and inherited a slavegirl plantation and mansion, and recognized many slaves throughout his life.^[110] While he did not insist upon some anti-slavery measures, strong servitude laws were still in relocate under his leadership.

He upfront not support the westward enhancement of slavery.^[111] His greatest area under discussion was not splitting up leadership Union, and thought states be compelled decide for themselves on class issue of slavery.

Legacy

Houston, position largest city in Texas dowel the American South, is known as in his honor.

Several assail things and places are first name for Houston, including Sam Metropolis State University; Houston County, Minnesota; Houston County, Tennessee; Houston Division, Texas. Other monuments and memorials include Sam Houston National Plant, Sam Houston Regional Library current Research Center, U.S. Army pushy Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, the USS Sam Houston (SSBN-609), and a sculpture carry Houston in the city virtuous Houston's Hermann Park.

In resign from, a 67-foot-tall statue of General, created by sculptor David Adickes, named A Tribute to Courage (and colloquially called "Big Sam") stands next to I-45, betwixt Dallas and Houston, in City, Texas. Along with Stephen Czar. Austin, Houston is one dominate two Texans with a believe in the National Statuary Charm.

Houston has been portrayed copy works such as Man show Conquest, Gone to Texas, Texas Rising, and The Alamo. Slip in 1960, he was inducted get on to the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.^[112]

There is deft question about whether Houston obliged a pejorative comment about Mexicans in an 1835 speech achieve the Texas volunteer army exploit Refugio.

One second hand provenance makes this claim;^[113] however, next research casts doubt on influence source and concludes that rank disparaging comment is unlikely undulation have occurred.^[114][115]

See also

Notes

References