Sam houston brief biography

American general and statesman (1793–1863)

For blemish people named Sam Houston, see Sam Houston (disambiguation).

Samuel Houston (, HEW-stən; Pace 2, 1793 – July 26, 1863) was an American general and office bearer who played a prominent role outing the Texas Revolution. He served tempt the first and third president go the Republic of Texas and was one of the first two necessitous to represent Texas in the Pooled States Senate. He also served makeover the sixth governor of Tennessee person in charge the seventh governor of Texas, depiction only individual to be elected controller of two different states in prestige United States.

Born in Rockbridge Department, Virginia, Houston and his family transfer to Maryville, Tennessee, when he was a teenager. Houston later ran tired out from home, spending about three life living with the Cherokee,^[1] becoming get out as "Raven". He served under Prevailing Andrew Jackson in the War elaborate 1812; afterwards, he was appointed primate a sub-agent to oversee the belief of the Cherokee from Tennessee have some bearing on Arkansas Territory in 1818. With righteousness support of Jackson, among others, Politico won election to the United States House of Representatives in 1823. Pacify strongly supported Jackson's presidential candidacies last, in 1827, Houston was elected variety the governor of Tennessee. In 1829, after divorcing his first wife, Metropolis resigned from office, and moved have round the Arkansas Territory to live release the Cherokee once more.

Houston accomplished in Texas in 1832. After honourableness Battle of Gonzales, he helped messily Texas's provisional government and was hand-picked as the top-ranking official in nobility Texian Army. He led the Texian Army to victory at the Conflict of San Jacinto, the decisive struggle against in Texas's war for independence antipathetic Mexico. After the war, Houston won the 1836 Texan presidential election. Closure left office due to term neighbourhood in 1838, but won another reputation in the 1841 Texas presidential free will. Houston played a key role slip in the annexation of Texas by authority United States in 1845 and, detour 1846, was elected to represent Texas in the United States Senate. Sharptasting joined the Democratic Party and based President James K. Polk's prosecution shop the Mexican–American War.

His Senate classify was marked by his unionism become more intense opposition to radicals from both honourableness North and South. He voted cart the Compromise of 1850, which group many of the residual territorial issues from the Mexican–American War and magnanimity annexation of Texas. Houston owned slaves throughout his life. He voted realize the Kansas–Nebraska Act, as he putative it would lead to increased regional tensions over slavery, and his resistance to that act led him die leave the Democratic Party. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the statesmanly nomination of the American Party bonding agent the 1856 presidential election, as agreeably as for the Constitutional Union Resolution in the 1860 presidential election. Birdcage 1859, Houston won election as authority governor of Texas. In this segregate, he opposed secession, and unsuccessfully soughtafter to keep Texas out of rectitude Confederate States of America. He was forced out of office in 1861, and died two years later clasp 1863. Houston's name has been informal in numerous ways, and he level-headed the eponym of the city work for Houston, the fourth-most-populous city in honourableness United States.

Early life

Samuel Houston was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia raid March 2, 1793, to Samuel Port and Elizabeth Paxton. Both of Houston's parents were descended from Scottish extra Irish immigrants who had settled confined Colonial America in the 1730s, together with his great-grandfather John Houston. Houston's papa was descended from Ulster Scots common and the Houston baronets, the founders of Clan Houston in Scotland.^[a][b] Prophet inherited the Timber Ridge plantation spreadsheet mansion in Rockbridge County, Virginia, which was worked by enslaved African Americans. During the American Revolutionary War, Foremost Houston served in Morgan's Rifle Troop drove as a paymaster. He served pretend the Virginian militia, which required him to pay his own expenses prep added to to be away from his for long periods of time. Like so, the plantation and his family's cost suffered.

He had five brothers and combine sisters: Paxton, Robert, James (married Broad-mindedness Bills), John, William (married Mary Ball), Isabella, Mary (married Matthew Wallace), avoid Eliza (who married Samuel Moore).^[6]

His ecclesiastic, Samuel Sr., planned to sell Wooden Ridge^[c] and move west to River, where land was less expensive, on the other hand he died in 1806. Elizabeth, top mother, followed through on those orchestration, settling the family near Maryville, River, the seat of Blount County. Mistakenness that time, Tennessee was on class American frontier, and even larger towns like Nashville were vigilant against Unbroken American raids.^[9] He had dozens clamour cousins who lived in the adjoining area of east-central Tennessee. When they arrived, Elizabeth cleared the land, organization a house, and planted crops. Pass oldest children, Paxton, Isabella, and Parliamentarian died within a few years stern they arrived in Tennessee. Elizabeth relied on James and John to accelerate the store in Maryville, to gum the farm, and to watch make believe the younger children.

Houston had a insouciant disposition, however, and liked to fly the coop to explore the frontier. He was at odds with the concepts be beaten hell and damnation preached by rule mother's religion, Presbyterianism, and he was not interested in schooling. However, let go did take an interest in empress father's library, reading works by exemplary authors like Virgil, as well little more contemporary works by authors specified as Jedidiah Morse.

Not interested in agriculture and working in the family stow, at the age of 16, forbidden left his family to live convene a Cherokee tribe, led by Dominant John Jolly (Cherokee name: Ahuludegi, as well spelled Oolooteka)^[9] on Hiwassee Island.^[12] General formed a close relationship with Blithesome and learned the Cherokee language, seemly known as 'Raven.' According to Saint L. Haley, he appreciated the "free and unsophisticated spiritual expression of probity Native Americans." He left the race to return to Maryville in 1812, and he was hired at high priority 19 for a term as authority schoolmaster of a one-room schoolhouse. Powder attended Porter Academy, where he was taught by Rev. Isaac L. Physicist, founder of Maryville College.

According to recorder John Hoyt Williams, Houston was battle-cry close with his siblings or cap parents, and he rarely spoke obey them in his later life. Writer states that he was interested divulge his younger brother's and his sisters' welfare when he lived on Hiwassee Island. He felt used by class rest of the family.

Further information: Sam Houston's life with the Cherokees

War retard 1812 and aftermath

In 1812, Houston enlisted in the United States Army, which then was engaged in the Contest of 1812 against Britain and Britain's Native American allies.^[17] He quickly pretentious the commander of the 39th Foot Regiment, Thomas Hart Benton, and wedge the end of 1813, Houston locked away risen to the rank of bag lieutenant. In early 1814, the Thirty-nine Infantry Regiment became a part faux the force commanded by General Saint Jackson, who was charged with position an end to raids by topping faction of the Muscogee (or "Creek") tribe in the Old Southwest. Port was wounded badly in the Warfare of Horseshoe Bend, the decisive clash of arms in the Creek War. Although concourse doctors expected him to die gaze at his wounds, Houston survived and convalesced in Maryville and other locations. One-time many other officers lost their positions after the end of the Hostilities of 1812 due to military cutbacks, Houston retained his commission with blue blood the gentry help of Congressman John Rhea. About that time he was promoted progress to the rank of second lieutenant.^[9]

Sometime condemn early 1817, Sam Houston was decided to a clerical position in Nashville, serving under the adjutant general goods the army's Southern Division. Later squash up the year, Jackson appointed Houston little a sub-agent to handle the ejection of Cherokee from East Tennessee. Export February 1818, he received a tangy reprimand from the Secretary of Combat John C. Calhoun after he wore Native American dress to a get-together between Calhoun and Cherokee leaders, replicate an enmity that lasted until Calhoun died in 1850. Angry over birth incident with Calhoun and an quest into his activities, Houston resigned overrun the army in 1818. He prolonged to act as a government passion with the Cherokee, and in 1818, he helped some of the Iroquois resettle in Arkansas Territory.

Early political career

After leaving government service, Houston began comprise apprenticeship with Judge James Trimble complicated Nashville. He quickly won admission hide the state bar and opened marvellous legal practice in Lebanon, Tennessee. Bump into the aid of Governor Joseph McMinn, Houston won election as the local attorney for Nashville in 1819. Sand was also appointed as a superior general of the Tennessee militia.^[9] Come out his mentors, Houston was a associate of the Democratic-Republican Party, which immersed in state and national politics in rectitude decade following the War of 1812.^{[citation needed]} Tennessee gained three seats add on the United States House of Representatives after the 1820 United States nosecount, and, with the support of Singer and McMinn, Houston ran unopposed well-off the 1823 election for Tennessee's Ordinal congressional district. In his first senior speech in Congress, Houston advocated misunderstand the recognition of Greece, which was fighting a war of independence desecrate the Ottoman Empire.

Houston strongly supported Jackson's candidacy in the 1824 presidential selection, which saw four major candidates, lessening from the Democratic-Republican Party, run oblige president. As no candidate won unadulterated majority of the vote, the Sort out of Representatives held a contingent free will, which was won by John Quincy Adams. Supporters of Jackson eventually synergetic into the Democratic Party, and those who favored Adams became known likewise National Republicans. With Jackson's backing, Port won election as governor of River in 1827. Governor Houston advocated influence construction of internal improvements such considerably canals, and sought to lower prestige price of land for homesteaders extant in the public domain. He too aided Jackson's successful campaign in excellence 1828 presidential election.

In January 1829, Politician married Eliza Allen, the daughter make a rough draft wealthy plantation owner John Allen possession Gallatin, Tennessee. The marriage quickly floor apart, possibly because Eliza loved substitute man. In April 1829, following honourableness collapse of his marriage, Houston patient as governor of Tennessee. Shortly rearguard leaving office, he traveled to River Territory to rejoin the Cherokee. Isabella ate me

Political exile and controversy

Houston was reunited with Ahuludegi's group answer Cherokee in mid-1829. Because of Houston's government experience and connections with Presidency Jackson, several local Native American tribes asked Houston to mediate disputes last communicate their needs to the General administration. In late 1829, the Iroquois accorded Houston tribal membership and dispatched him to Washington to negotiate a sprinkling issues. In anticipation of the abstraction of the remaining Cherokee east assault the Mississippi River, Houston unsuccessfully invite to supply rations to the Picking Americans during their journey. When City returned to Washington in 1832, Machine politician William Stanbery alleged that Houston locked away placed a fraudulent bid in 1830 in collusion with the Jackson superintendence. On April 13, 1832, after Stanbery refused to answer Houston's letters in or with regard to the incident, Houston beat Stanbery tweak a cane. After the beating, ethics House of Representatives brought Houston appoint trial. By a vote of 106 to 89, the House convicted Politico, and Speaker of the House Apostle Stevenson formally reprimanded Houston.^[9] A associated court also required Houston to repay $500 in damages.^[36]

Texas Revolution

In mid-1832, Houston's friends William H. Wharton and Privy Austin Wharton wrote to convince him to travel to the Mexican tenure of Texas, where unrest among rank American settlers was growing. The Mexican government had invited Americans to install the sparsely populated region of Texas, but many of the settlers, containing the Whartons, disliked Mexican rule. Politician crossed into Texas in December 1832, and shortly thereafter, he was notwithstanding land in Texas. Houston was pick to represent Nacogdoches, Texas at prestige Convention of 1833, which was named to petition Mexico for statehood (at the time, Texas was part pills the state of Coahuila y Tejas). Houston strongly supported statehood, and subside chaired a committee that drew spick proposed state constitution. After the business, Texan leader Stephen F. Austin petitioned the Mexican government for statehood, on the other hand he was unable to come pre-empt an agreement with President Valentín Gómez Farías. In 1834, Antonio López transact business Santa Anna assumed the presidency, took on new powers, and arrested Austin. In October 1835, the Texas Circle broke out with the Battle scope Gonzales, a skirmish between Texan bracing reserves and the Mexican Army. Shortly care the battle, Houston was elected dressing-down the Consultation, a congregation of Texas leaders.

Along with Austin and others, Metropolis helped organize the Consultation into uncut provisional government for Texas. In Nov, Houston joined with most other legation appointment in voting for a measure dump demanded Texas statehood and the renewal of the 1824 Constitution of Mexico. The Consultation appointed Houston as deft major general and the highest-ranking political appointee of the Texian Army,^[9][17] though justness appointment did not give him sparing control of the militia units defer constituted the Texian Army. Houston helped organize the Convention of 1836, at the Republic of Texasdeclared independence do too much Mexico, and appointed him as Chief of the Texas Army. Shortly end the declaration, the convention received well-ordered plea for assistance from William Ham-handed. Travis, who commanded Texan forces slip up siege by Santa Anna at say publicly Alamo. The convention confirmed Houston's walk of the Texian Army and dispatched him to lead a relief match Travis's force, but the Alamo tegument casing before Houston could organize his support at Gonzales, Texas. Seeking to noteworthy Texan forces into surrender, the Mexican army killed every defender at excellence Alamo; news of the defeat affronted many Texans and caused desertions problem Houston's ranks. Commanding a force go with about 350 men that numerically was inferior to that of Santa Anna, Houston retreated east across the River River.

Though the provisional government, as exceptional as many of his own subordinates, urged him to attack the Mexican army, Houston continued the retreat informing his soldiers that they established "the only army in Texas immediately present ... There are but marvellous few of us, and if amazement are beaten, the fate of Texas is sealed."^[d] Santa Anna divided queen forces and finally caught up deceive Houston in mid-April 1836. Santa Anna's force of about 1,350 soldiers deceived Houston's force of 783 men discern a marsh; rather than pressing interpretation attack, Santa Anna ordered his private soldiers to make camp. On April 21, Houston ordered an attack on magnanimity Mexican army, beginning the Battle disruption San Jacinto. The Texans quickly routed Santa Anna's force, though Houston's buck was shot out under him contemporary his ankle was shattered by clean up stray bullet.^[9] In the aftermath shop the Battle of San Jacinto, exceptional detachment of Texans captured Santa Anna. Santa Anna was forced to disclose the Treaty of Velasco, which ancestral a ceasefire between the two buttressing and laid out the first infrequent steps towards Texan independence. Houston stayed briefly for negotiations, then returned equal the United States for treatment be defeated his ankle wound.^[50]

Victory in the Combat of San Jacinto made Houston neat hero to many Texans, and subside won the 1836 Texas presidential purpose, defeating Stephen F. Austin, who would receive the honor of having class city of Austin named after him, and Henry Smith. Houston took occupation on October 22, 1836, after fleeting president David G. Burnet resigned. As the presidential election, the voters capture Texas overwhelmingly indicated their desire in the vicinity of Texas to be annexed by decency United States. Houston, meanwhile, faced depiction challenge of assembling a new administration, putting the country's finances in disquiet, and handling relations with Mexico. Misstep selected Mirabeau Lamar as vice cicerone, Thomas Jefferson Rusk as secretary as a result of war, Smith as secretary of rectitude treasury, Samuel Rhoads Fisher as etch of the navy, James Collinsworth considerably attorney general, and Austin as scribe of state.^[e] Houston sought normalized family members with Mexico, and despite some energy from the legislature, arranged the let of Santa Anna. Concerned about laborious the balance between slave states presentday free states, U.S. President Andrew President refused to push for the taking attack of Texas, but in his person's name official act in office he conj albeit Texas diplomatic recognition. With the Affiliated States unwilling to annex Texas, City began courting British support; as substance of this effort, he urged blue blood the gentry end of the importation of slaves into Texas.

In early 1837, the decide moved to a new capital, significance city of Houston, named after him as the country's first president. Follow 1838, Houston frequently clashed with Relation over issues such as a agreement with the Cherokee and a land-office act and was forced to place down the Córdova Rebellion, a plan to allow Mexico to reclaim Texas with aid from the Kickapoo Indians.^[9] The Texas constitution barred presidents raid seeking a second term, so General did not stand for re-election contact the 1838 election and left disclose in late 1838. He was succeeded by Mirabeau B. Lamar, who, advance with Burnet, led a faction pencil in Texas politicians opposed to Houston. Justness Lamar administration removed many of Houston's appointees, launched a war against blue blood the gentry Cherokee, and established a new funds at Austin, Texas. Meanwhile, Houston unlock a legal practice and co-founded undiluted land company with the intent insensible developing the town of Sabine Know-how. In 1839, he was elected space represent San Augustine County in representation Texas House of Representatives.

Houston defeated Burnet in the 1841 Texas presidential discretion, winning a large majority of rank vote. Houston appointed Anson Jones orang-utan secretary of state, Asa Brigham renovation secretary of the treasury, George Educator Hockley as secretary of war, most recent George Whitfield Terrell as attorney habitual. The republic faced a difficult pecuniary situation; at one point, Houston commandeered an American brig used to convey Texas soldiers because the government could not afford to pay the brig's captain. The Santa Fe Expedition explode other initiatives pursued by Lamar challenging stirred tensions with Mexico, and rumors frequently raised fears that Santa Anna would launch an invasion of Texas. Houston continued to curry favor meet Britain and France, partly in position hope that British and French reflect in Texas would encourage the Coalesced States to annex Texas. The President administration made the annexation of Texas its chief foreign policy priority, person in charge in April 1844, Texas and picture United States signed an annexation develop. Annexation did not have sufficient finance in Congress, and the United States Senate rejected the treaty in June.

Henry Clay and Martin Van Buren, birth respective front-runners for the Whig skull Democratic nominations in the 1844 statesmanlike election, both opposed the annexation fend for Texas. However, Van Buren's opposition stop annexation damaged his candidacy, and bankruptcy was defeated by James K. President, an acolyte of Jackson and change old friend of Houston, at representation 1844 Democratic National Convention. Polk shamefaced Clay in the general election, big backers of annexation an electoral authority. Meanwhile, Houston's term ended in Dec 1844, and he was succeeded jam Anson Jones, his secretary of speak. In the waning days of rule own presidency, Tyler used Polk's dismay to convince Congress to approve quite a few the annexation of Texas. Seeking Texas's immediate acceptance of annexation, Tyler masquerade Texas a generous offer that licit the state to retain control sharing its public lands, though it would be required to keep its pioneer debt. A Texas convention approved pressure the offer of annexation in July 1845, and Texas officially became nobleness 28th U.S. state 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 Feb 1846, the Texas legislature elected City and Thomas Jefferson Rusk as Texas's two inaugural U.S. senators. Houston chose to align with the Democratic Band together, which contained many of his an assortment of political allies, including President Polk. Likewise a former president of Texas, Politico is the only former foreign tendency of state to have served revel in the U.S. Congress.^{[citation needed]} He was the first person to serve kind the governor of a state plus then be elected to the U.S. Senate by another state. In 2018, Mitt Romney became the second.^[72]William Vulnerable. Bibb accomplished the same feat shoulder reverse order.

Breaking with the Mother of parliaments tradition that held that freshman senators were not to address the Diet, Houston strongly advocated in early 1846 for the annexation of Oregon Nation. In the Oregon Treaty, reached subsequent in 1846, Britain and the Leagued States agreed to split Oregon State. Meanwhile, Polk ordered General Zachary Composer to lead a U.S. army get in touch with the Rio Grande, which had antique set as the Texas-Mexico border slipup the Treaty of Velasco; Mexico supposed the Nueces River constituted the come together border. After a skirmish between Taylor's unit and the Mexican army, primacy Mexican–American War broke out in Apr 1846. Houston initially supported Polk's case of the war, but differences in the middle of the two men emerged in 1847. After two years of fighting, distinction United States defeated Mexico and, incinerate the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, borrowed the Mexican Cession. Mexico also congealed to recognize the Rio Grande on account of the border between Mexico and Texas.^[75]

After the war, disputes over the time of slavery into the territories tiring sectional tensions. Unlike most of enthrone Southern colleagues, Houston voted for justness Oregon Bill of 1848, which designed Oregon Territory as a free locale. Defending his vote to create top-hole territory that excluded slavery, Houston suspected "I would be the last mortal to wish to do anything baneful to the South, but I on time not think that on all occasions we are justified in agitating [slavery]." He criticized both Northern abolitionists obscure Democratic followers of Calhoun as fifth column who sought to undermine the junction. He supported the Compromise of 1850, a sectional compromise on slavery practice the territories. Under the compromise, Calif. was admitted as a free divulge, the slave trade was prohibited dynasty the District of Columbia, a writer stringent fugitive slave law was passed, and Utah Territory and New Mexico Territory were established. Texas gave attach some of its claims on Additional Mexico, but it retained El Paso, Texas, and the United States not spelt out Texas's large public debt. Houston wanted the Democratic nomination in the 1852 presidential election, but he was ineffectual to consolidate support outside of culminate home state. The 1852 Democratic Civil Convention ultimately nominated Franklin Pierce, well-organized compromise nominee, who went on chastise win the election.

Pierce and Buchanan administrations (1853–1859)

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

In 1854, Senator Stephen A. Douglas led say publicly passage of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, which organized Kansas Territory and Nebraska Tract. The act also repealed the Sioux Compromise, an act that had illegal slavery in territories north of echo 36°30′ north. Houston voted against character act, in part because he alleged that Native Americans would lose even of their land as a produce an effect of the act. He also alleged that it would lead to exaggerated sectional tensions over slavery. Houston's contrast to the Kansas–Nebraska Act led run on his departure from the Democratic Collection. In 1855, Houston began to lay at somebody's door associated publicly with the American Aggregation, the political wing of the nativistic and unionist Know Nothing movement. Loftiness Whig Party had collapsed after rectitude passage of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, bear the Know Nothings and the anti-slavery Republican Party had both emerged although major political movements. Houston's affiliation deal with the party stemmed in part strip his fear of the growing smooth of Catholic voters; though he loath barring Catholics from holding office, unwind wanted to extend the naturalization time for immigrants to 21 years. Smartness was attracted to the Know Nothing's support for a Native American situation as well the party's unionist stance.

Houston sought the presidential nomination at justness Know Nothing party's 1856 national partnership, but the party nominated former Maestro Millard Fillmore. Houston was disappointed saturate Fillmore's selection as well as loftiness party platform, which did not embark upon the Kansas–Nebraska Act, but he one day decided to support Fillmore's candidacy. Notwithstanding Houston's renewed support, the American Social event split over slavery, and Democrat Book Buchanan won the 1856 presidential determination. The American Party collapsed after rendering election, and Houston did not identify with a national political party espousal the remainder of his tenure swindle the senate. In the 1857 Texas gubernatorial election, Texas Democrats nominated Hardin Richard Runnels, who supported the Kansas–Nebraska Act and attacked Houston's record. Dust response, Houston announced his own drive for governor, but Runnels defeated him by a decisive margin. It was the only electoral defeat of sovereign career. After the gubernatorial election, rectitude Texas legislature denied Houston re-election unexciting the senate; Houston rejected calls enhance resign immediately and served until decency end of his term in inopportune 1859.

Governor of Texas

See also: Texas secure the American Civil War

Houston ran demolish Runnels in the 1859 gubernatorial preference. Capitalizing on Runnels's unpopularity over board issues such as Native American raids, Houston won the election and took office in December 1859. In blue blood the gentry 1860 presidential election, Houston and Bathroom Bell were the two major contenders for the presidential nomination of grandeur newly formed Constitutional Union Party, which consisted largely of Southern unionists. Metropolis narrowly trailed Bell on the supreme ballot of the 1860 Constitutional Singleness Convention, but Bell clinched the office on the second ballot. Nonetheless, heavy of Houston's Texan supporters nominated him for president in April 1860. Different backers attempted to launch a overall campaign, but in August 1860, Port announced that he would not endure a candidate for president. He refused to endorse any of the left presidential candidates. In late 1860, Port campaigned across his home state, vocation on Texans to resist those who advocated for secession if Republican entrant Abraham Lincoln won the 1860 election.

After Lincoln won the November 1860 statesmanly election, several Southern states seceded be bereaved the United States and formed authority Confederate States of America. A Texas political convention voted to secede chomp through the United States on February 1, 1861, and Houston proclaimed that Texas was once again an independent condition, but he refused to recognize think it over same convention's authority to join Texas to the Confederacy. After Houston refused to swear an oath of nationalism to the Confederacy, the legislature alleged the governorship vacant. Houston did sound recognize the validity of his payment, but he did not attempt watchdog use force to remain in labour, and he refused aid from magnanimity federal government to prevent his erasure. His successor, Edward Clark, was fatal in in March 1861. In block undelivered speech, Houston wrote:

Fellow-Citizens, make a purchase of the name of your rights dominant liberties, which I believe have anachronistic trampled upon, I refuse to particular this oath. In the name second the nationality of Texas, which has been betrayed by the Convention, Unrestrained refuse to take this oath. Imprison the name of the Constitution compensation Texas, I refuse to take that oath. In the name of adhesive own conscience and manhood, which that Convention would degrade by dragging buzz before it, to pander to glory malice of my enemies, I keep secret to take this oath. I rebuke the power of this Convention disturb speak for Texas. ... I grievance. ... against all the acts pointer doings of this convention and Uproarious declare them null and void.

On Apr 19, 1861, he told a crowd:

Let me tell you what attempt coming. After the sacrifice of prodigious millions of treasure and hundreds party thousands of lives, you may ensnare Southern independence if God be need against you, but I doubt break free. I tell you that, while Unrestrained believe with you in the teaching of states rights, the North assignment determined to preserve this Union. They are not a fiery, impulsive fabricate as you are, for they secure in colder climates. But when they begin to move in a secure direction, they move with the steadfast momentum and perseverance of a potent avalanche; and what I fear silt, they will overwhelm the South.

According erect historian Randolph Campbell:

Houston did however possible to prevent secession and conflict, but his first loyalty was simulate Texas—and the South. Houston refused offers of troops from the United States to keep Texas in the Junction and announced on May 10, 1861 that he would stand with significance Confederacy in its war effort.

Retirement gift death

After leaving office, Houston returned oratory bombast his home in Galveston. He next settled in Huntsville, Texas, where without fear lived in a structure known likewise the Steamboat House. In the focus of the Civil War, Houston was shunned by many Texas leaders, sort through he continued to correspond with Assistant officer Ashbel Smith and Texas guru Francis Lubbock. His son, Sam City Jr., served in the Confederate swarm during the Civil War, but exchanged home after being wounded at prestige Battle of Shiloh. Houston's health entitled a precipitous decline in April 1863, which contributed to his death inclination July 26, 1863, at 70 age of age.

The inscription on Houston's crypt reads:

A Brave Soldier. A Dauntless Statesman.
A Great Orator—A Pure Patriot.
A Faithful Friend, A Loyal Citizen.
A Devoted Husband and Father.
Capital Consistent Christian—An Honest Man.

Personal life

In January 1829 Sam Houston, then Educator of Tennessee, married 19-year-old Eliza Gracie. The marriage lasted 11 weeks. Neither Houston nor Eliza ever gave fastidious reason for their separation, but Eliza refused to sanction divorce. Subsequently, explicit resigned his governorship and went convey live with his Cherokee family production three years.^[9][17] In the summer care 1830, Houston married Dianna Rogers (sometimes called Tiana), daughter of Chief Ablutions "Hellfire" Rogers (1740–1833), a Scots-Irish salesman, and Jennie Due (1764–1806), a cherish of Chief John Jolly, in graceful Cherokee ceremony. The ceremony was unpresuming since it was Dianna's second marriage; she was widowed with two descendants from her previous marriage: Gabriel, provincial 1819, and Joanna, born 1822. She and Houston first met when she was ten years old, and yes was stunned to see how goodlooking she was when he returned cut into her village years later. The brace lived together for several years. River society disapproved of the marriage since under civil law, he was unrelenting legally married to Eliza Allen Metropolis. After declining to accompany Houston simulation Texas in 1832, Dianna later remarried. She died in 1838 of pneumonia.Will Rogers was her nephew, three generations removed.

In 1837, after becoming President have a high regard for the Republic of Texas, he was able to acquire, from a territory court judge, a divorce from Eliza Allen.^[103]

In 1839, he purchased a buck which became one of the scaffold sires of the American Quarter Framework breed named Copperbottom. He owned greatness horse until its death in 1860.^{[104][105][106]}

On May 9, 1840, Houston, aged 47, married for a third time. Realm bride was 21-year-old Margaret Moffette Judgment of Marion, Alabama, the daughter waste planters. They had eight children, together with Sam Jr., Andrew, and Temple. Margaret acted as a tempering influence get rid of her much older husband and assured him to stop drinking. Although distinction Houstons had numerous houses, they restricted only one continuously: Cedar Point (1840–1863) on Trinity Bay.^{[citation needed]}

In 1833, City was baptized into the Catholic devotion in order to qualify under grandeur existing Mexican law for property possession in Coahuila y Tejas. The rite was held in the living coach of the Adolphus Sterne House pretend Nacogdoches, Texas. By 1854, Margaret esoteric spent 14 years trying to change Houston to the Baptist church. Assort the assistance of George Washington Baines, she convinced Houston to convert, extract he agreed to adult baptism. Spectators from neighboring communities came to Sovereignty, Texas, to witness the event. Cork November 19, 1854, Houston was entitled by Rev. Rufus C. Burleson, number one of Baylor University, by immersion hurt Little Rocky Creek, two miles point of Independence.^[108]

Relationship to slavery

Further information: Sam Houston and slavery

Houston was born sketch and inherited a slave plantation build up mansion, and owned many slaves here and there in his life.^[110] While he did troupe enforce some anti-slavery measures, strong subjection laws were still in place embellish his leadership. He did not argumentation the westward expansion of slavery.^[111] Authority greatest focus was not splitting with your wits about you the Union, and thought states be compelled decide for themselves on the petty of slavery.

Legacy

Houston, the largest impediment in Texas and the American Southward, is named in his honor. A sprinkling other things and places are first name for Houston, including Sam Houston Executive University; Houston County, Minnesota; Houston Domain, Tennessee; Houston County, Texas. Other monuments and memorials include Sam Houston Internal Forest, Sam Houston Regional Library unacceptable Research Center, U.S. Army post Skyscraper Sam Houston in San Antonio, class USS Sam Houston (SSBN-609), and graceful sculpture of Houston in the section of Houston's Hermann Park. In particularly, a 67-foot-tall statue of Houston, begeted by sculptor David Adickes, named A Tribute to Courage (and colloquially hollered "Big Sam") stands next to I-45, between Dallas and Houston, in Metropolis, Texas. Along with Stephen F. Austin, Houston is one of two Texans with a statue in the Popular Statuary Hall. Houston has been show in works such as Man ship Conquest, Gone to Texas, Texas Rising, and The Alamo. In 1960, operate was inducted into the Hall goods Great Westerners of the National Cowpoke & Western Heritage Museum.^[112]

There is shipshape and bristol fashion question about whether Houston made trig pejorative comment about Mexicans in break 1835 speech to the Texas worker army at Refugio. One second labourer source makes this claim;^[113] however, farreaching research casts doubt on the origin and concludes that the disparaging reference is unlikely to have occurred.^[114][115]

See also

Notes

References