Daughters of the Republic of Texas
San Jacinto Newstimes - February 2007

The William Cochran Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas has placed an exhibit at the Coldspring Area Library commemorating Texas Statehood Day, Feb. 19.
In 1844, after extended negotiation, Isaac Van Zandt and J. Pinckney Henderson signed a treaty of annexation with the United States Secretary of State John C. Calhoun, which called for Texas to join the Union as a territory.  It was not as good a deal as Texas had hoped and it might have been rejected in Texas had not the United States Senate done so first.
The action provided Texas with a better deal down the line.  The Senate’s rejection of the treaty forced the issue into the United States presidential campaign of 1844.  Henry Clay was against annexation and James K. Polk was for it and Polk won.  President Tyler raised the issue even before Polk took office and Congress accepted Texas as a equal state of the Union by joint resolution on Feb. 16, 1845.
In Texas, Republic President Anson Jones favored annexation but delayed.  When the British and French agents asked him for a 90-day delay to persuade the Mexican government to acknowledge Texas’ independence in return for the Republic’s agreement not to join the United States, Jones agreed.  After receiving the Mexican offer, Jones submitted it and the United States offer of annexation to the Texas Congress.  Congress and the people by vote (although sparse) favored annexation.
Annexation was approved and a constitution for statehood was drafted which was accepted on Oct. 13, 1845.  Jones signed the final bill of acceptance on Dec. 29, 1845 and Texas made the formal transfer on Feb. 19, 1846.
For further information on the Daughters of the Republic of Texas please contact, Jean Kalina in Taylor Lake at (936) 685-4676.