Texas History Minute

once again to improve his fortunes

Jones settled in Brazoria County, outside modern-day Houston in 1833 as relations between Texas settlers and the Mexican government disintegrated Finally, his luck started to change Few doctors were available in the area at the time, and his practice took off He became a respected member of the community In 1835, he was a delegate to the Consultation, a meeting of Texans to discuss their concerns about the actions of the Mexican government When war erupted between Texas and Mexico that fall, Jones openly spoke out in favor of independence and joined the Texas Army as a surgeon

He was soon elected to the Texas Congress, representing Brazoria County In June 1838, Texas President Sam Houston appointed Jones to become the Texas Ambassador to the United States Houston had pushed for annexation to the U S , but fears of provoking war with Mexico and increasing concerns about adding more slave territory to the United States by adding Texas left annexation hopes in ruins Houston reluctantly asked Jones to withdraw the Texas petition for annexation

Jones returned to Texas in 1839 and found that he had been elected to the Senate He became an active critic of Houston’s successor, Mirabeau B Lamar Houston asked Jones to run for vice-president in the 1841 election, but he declined Houston, however, believed in his skills and asked him to serve as secretary of state for his three-year term. With Houston’s second term in office, he was determined to make annexation a reality He worked with Jones to develop a strategy to increase American interest in Texas once again The two worked to cultivate closer trade relations with England and France, provoking American fears of their two trade rivals getting a foothold in Texas American President John Tyler began working to secure annexation by 1843, aggressively pursuing negotiations while more nations became interested in trade with Texas

Annexation became major issues in the 1844 presidential elections in both Texas and the United States Jones ran for the presidency against Vice-President Edward Burleson Burleson accused Jones of opposing annexation because of the expansion of trade with Europe, accusing him of wanting Texas to be a puppet state to France and England. Jones knew that annexation was not assured as many politicians and abolitionists rallied to block Texas entry into the Union Houston endorsed Jones in the tight contest In the end, Jones won the election with 7,037 votes over the 5,668 cast for

Burleson Though the 55 4% for Jones was a decisive victory, it was the closest presidential election in the history of the Texas Republic. Jones served as the last president of Texas He presided over the transition from independent nation to statehood In 1844, he was at the peak of his career, risen from the ashes of a difficult past

Streetman named to All-Region team

The Van Alstyne Leader reported Friday that Peyton Streetman has been named to the Class 3A Region II all-region team by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches

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