Texas State Government Convenes For The First Time

February 19, 1846

On February 19, 1846, the newly formed government of the State of Texas officially convened for the first time. This assembly marked the transition of Texas from an independent republic to becoming the 28th state of the United States. This significant event followed Texas’s formal admission into the Union on December 29, 1845, after the U.S. Congress passed a resolution and President James K. Polk signed the annexation treaty.

Context and Significance

• Background: Prior to its statehood, Texas had declared independence from Mexico in 1836, establishing itself as the Republic of Texas. After nearly a decade as a sovereign nation, significant political and popular support for joining the United States culminated in its annexation.

• Annexation Concerns: The incorporation of Texas as a state was contentious, primarily due to the existing tensions over slavery. Texas was admitted as a slave state, thus contributing to the delicate balance between free and slave states in the Union—a central issue that eventually led to the American Civil War.

• Formal Procedures: On this date, the Texas legislature and state officials began the process of integrating Texas’s governmental systems with those of the United States. This included setting up legislative procedures, aligning its legal system, and addressing land disputes under the new federal framework.

Key Figures

• Governor James Pinckney Henderson: The first governor of the State of Texas, Henderson played a crucial role in the transition period and in negotiating the terms of annexation.

• Anson Jones: The last President of the Republic of Texas, he was influential in the final negotiations with the United States, promoting a peaceful transfer of power and ensuring the legal and political legitimacy of the annexation.

Aftermath and Broader Impact

The convening of Texas’s state government constituted a landmark moment for the region’s political identity and economic growth. The integration into the United States accelerated the expansion into the American Southwest, influencing trade, migration, and ultimately contributing to the Manifest Destiny ideology. However, Texas’s admission as a slave state exacerbated existing sectional conflicts, further polarizing the national debate over slavery and state rights.

This event set the stage for ensuing political developments in Texas and reflected the unfolding narrative of American territorial expansion during the mid-19th century.