Mirabeau B. Lamar

Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar (August 16, 1798 – December 19, 1859) was the second president of the Republic of Texas, following David G. Burnet (1836 as ad-interim president) and Sam Houston.

Early years

Lamar was born August 16, 1798 in Georgia. He had little formal education as a child, but he loved to read and educated himself through books. Although he was accepted to Princeton University, Lamar chose not to attend. Instead, he worked as a merchant and then ran a newspaper, but both of those enterprises failed.

In 1823, Lamar's family connections helped him to gain a position as the private secretary to Georgia Governor George M. Troup. In this position, Lamar issued press releases and toured the country giving speeches on behalf of the governor. On one of his trips, he met Tabatha Jordan, whom he married in 1826.

When Troup lost his reelection bid in 1828 Lamar established a newspaper in Columbus, Georgia, the Columbus Enquirer. This venture was much more successful than his previous business attempts. The year after its establishment Lamar's wife died, and he withdrew his name from consideration for election to the Georgia Senate and began to study law. He was admitted to the bar in 1833 and ran an unsuccessful campaign for a seat in the U.S. Congress.

He was also a Master Mason, and a member of Harmony Lodge No. 6 in Galveston, TX.

Texas Revolution

Lamar's brother Lucius committed suicide in 1834, and a grief-stricken Lamar began traveling to escape his memories. In the summer of 1835 he ended up in Texas and decided to stay. He joined Sam Houston's army in spring 1836 and distinguished himself with bravery at the Battle of San Jacinto. On the eve of the battle, Lamar made a courageous rescue of two surrounded Texans in a move that drew a salute from the Mexican lines. He was promoted to Col. and was the commander of the cavalry during the battle the following day.

His actions led to an appointment as the Secretary of War in the ad interim Texas government, and, in 1836, he was elected vice-president of the Republic of Texas under Houston.

Texas President

Lamar was the unanimous choice to replace Houston as president in 1838, and was inaugurated on December 1, 1838. It was said that when Houston was giving his farewell speech, Houston was dressed like George Washington and when he went on the stage he noticed that Lamar was very eager to give his speech. Houston lengthened his farewell address to 3 hours, "which so unnerved Lamar that he was unable to read his inaugural speech." Instead, it was given by his aide, Algernon P. Thompson. In his first formal address to the Texas Congress several weeks later, Lamar urged that the Cherokee and Comanche tribes be driven from their lands in Texas, even if the tribes must be destroyed. He also proposed to create a national bank and to secure a loan from either the United States or Europe. Finally, he opposed annexation to the United States and wished to entice European countries to recognize the Republic of Texas.

His first actions were against the Indian tribes, and in 1839 his troops drove the Cherokee tribes from Texas. The bloody battle resulted in the death of Houston's friend Chief Bowles, leaving Houston very angry at Lamar. A similar campaign was fought against the Comanche, but although many lives were lost, the Comanches could not be forced from the area. Lamar's view towards Native Americans as a whole became increasingly strenuous against tribes, believing that it was necessary to cause their “total extinction.”

Lamar also appointed a commission to select a permanent site for the capital of the Republic. After two months of debate, they recommended the small town of Waterloo along the Colorado River. The town was renamed Austin, and by October 1839 all of the state records and employees had transferred from Houston to Austin. That same year, he also founded the Texas State Library (presently known as the Texas State Library and Archives Commission).

During his administration, Lamar sent three separate agents to Mexico to enact a peace settlement. All of them failed. Nonetheless, Lamar succeeded in gaining official recognition for his country from the United Kingdom, France, and Belgium. Despite several attempts to secure a loan from these and other countries, Lamar was unsuccessful. To fill the treasury, he instead authorized issuance of a large amount of Republic of Texas paper money, known as Redbacks. The paper money was virtually worthless. Spending doubled during Lamar's term as well, and this, combined with the worthless currency, caused severe financial difficulties for the government of the country.

Lamar firmly believed that the Rio Grande River was the western boundary of Texas and wanted to send an expedition to New Mexico to establish trade and possibly convince the residents there to join the Republic. The Texas Congress refused to fund the expedition in both 1839 and 1840. Lamar tired to waiting for permission, and in June 1841 he took $89,000 from the treasury and sent an expedition on his own. The members were arrested when they reached Santa Fe, and, although told they would soon be released, they were marched to Mexico City. Many of the members died during their enforced march.

Lamar is considered the Father of Texas Education. During his administration, he convinced the legislature to set aside 3 leagues of land for each county for equipping schools. An additional 50 leagues of land were set aside for the support of two universities, later Texas A&M University and the University of Texas. Although nothing was implemented during his term, these actions set the foundation for a Texas-wide public school system.

Later years

Houston became president again when Lamar's term completed in later 1841. Lamar returned to service in the army, and further distinguished himself at the Battle of Monterrey during the Mexican-American War. In late 1847 he became a post commander at Laredo but disliked the job as he wished to see more action. While in Laredo, he married again.

He represented Laredo in the Texas State Legislature for several years after Texas was annexed to the United States. In 1857, President James Buchanan appointed Lamar to be the Minister to Nicaragua. Lamar served in Managua for twenty months before returning to Texas in October 1859 because of health issues. He died of a heart attack on December 19, 1859 and was buried in Richmond.

Legacy

Lamar County, Texas, in northeast Texas, is named after Mr. Lamar. Lamar Boulevard, a major thoroughfare in Austin also carries his name.

Lamar University in Beaumont, Lamar State College in Port Arthur, Lamar State College in Orange, Lamar Institute of Technology in Beaumont, Lamar High School in Houston, Lamar High School in Arlington, and Lamar Consolidated High School in Rosenberg are also named for him, as are numerous elementary and junior high/middle schools throughout Texas.

The North Lamar Independent School District, also carries his name, but mostly because it is located in the county named after him.

Lamar also wrote poetry and published his works in a book titled Verse Memorials. He was labelled the "Poet President" and derided by his detractors that he was a better poet than president.

Lamar also served as the first US Ambassador to the Republic of Costa Rica 1857-1859.

Footnotes

References

External links

• Sketch of Mirabeau Lamar from A pictorial history of Texas, from the earliest visits of European adventurers, to A.D. 1879, hosted by the Portal to Texas History
• U.S. & Texas Jurisdiction Conflict, June 3, 1839 From Texas Tides