The Struggle for Independence, I835-1836 •
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and a large force of volunteers, just arrived from the United States, com- pelled President Burnet to order the prisoners to disembark and be reconfined. Santa Anna almost died of shock. The exultant volunteers cheered and jeered as he was dragged from the vessel in an opiate condition from taking an overdose of laudanum. A few days before, an insulting threat had been sent to President Burnet by the enraged Texan army protesting the release of Santa Anna. When on July r, Mirabeau B. Lamar was ordered to replace General Thomas J. Rusk as commander, the officers held a meeting and voted the arrest and trial of Burnet and his Cabinet. One of their number was sent to Velasco to execute this commission. The provisional government, by proposing an expedition against Matamoros, barely es- caped trial by the victorious and restive army. The fate of Santa Anna was meanwhile hanging in the balance. The secret treaty was for most Texans only a scrap of paper extending mercy to a merciless enemy. Resentment increased daily. Repeated attempts at assassination were made on the unfortunate prisoners. Finally, word was received to the effect that the Mexican Government had not only denounced the Treaty of Velasco, but was also determined to prosecute the war. Three Texan emissaries sent to Matamoros under a flag of truce had been arrested. Rumors were rife that Urrea, who had replaced the aged and vacillating Filisola, was on his way to Goliad with a powerful army to avenge San Jacinto. Each report provoked a new outburst of fury against Santa Anna. The need for establishing a permanent and regularly constituted government for the de factq independent Republic was quite evident. President Burnet issued a proclamation on July 23 for a general election to be held the first Monday in September. Henry Smith, Stephen F. Austin, and Sam Houston were candidates for the presidency. Before the election Smith withdrew from the race. The long years of patient toil on the part of Austin, the father of Texas, were forgotten. The Texans no,v thought only of his caution in the early days of the struggle for independence, and his support of the provisional government in saving Santa Anna from execution. Houston, the hero of the hour, was elected by a large majority of almost 6,000. Mirabeau B. Lamar was elected Vice President. Although the elected candidates were to have taken office the second Monday in December, the resignation of Burnet and Zavala necessitated the inauguration of Houston and Lamar on October 22, 1836. Houston showed tact and judgment in selecting his Cabinet. Austin
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