TEXAS
\tˈɛksəs], \tˈɛksəs], \t_ˈɛ_k_s_ə_s]\
Sort: Oldest first
By Princeton University
By DataStellar Co., Ltd
By Oddity Software
By Noah Webster.
-
the largest State in the Union, popularly known as the "Lone Star State," formed originally a part of the Spanish possessions in America. The United States surrendered her claim that Texas was included in the Louisiana purchase, by the treaty of 1819-1821 with Spain, whereby the United States obtained possession of Florida and settled the eastern boundary of Texas. Meanwhile Mexico had declared her independence of Spain, and Texas with Coahuila formed a State of Mexico, and in 1827 adopted a State Constitution which forbade the importation of slaves and provided for the gradual abolition of slavery. Moses Austin, an American, obtained a large grant of land in Texas in 1820, and formed a settlement of Americans, which increased rapidly. A new State Constitution was formed in 1833 by a convention of the 20,000 settlers, but Mexico refused to recognize it. When Santa Anna, the President of Mexico, attempted to reduce the Mexican States to the condition of departments in 1835, Texas immediately seceded, March 2, 1836, and proclaimed her independence, which she maintained by the defeat of Santa Anna at the head of 1500 troops by General Sam Houston with only 700 or 800 Americans, in the battle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836. A constitution was adopted favoring slavery. Houston was elected President. The United States, England, France and Belgium recognized the new government as independent (1837). From this time until December 29, 1845, when Texas was finally annexed to the United States, the question of its annexation was the Gordian knot of American politics. Treaty negotiations failing, annexation was accomplished by joint resolution of both Houses of Congress. The dispute over the western boundary of Texas led to the Mexican War (q.v.). March 25, 1850, Texas ceded all claims to territory outside of her present limits to the United States for $10,000,000. February 1, 1861, an ordinance of secession was passed. During the war there was a large influx of slaves from the other States. The State was restored to its place in the Union March 30, 1870. The State has been uniformly Democratic except for a brief period prior to 1873. The population of Texas in 1850 was 212,592; in 1890, 2,235,523. The present constitution was made in 1876. History by Yoakum.
By John Franklin Jameson