DUANE
Duane's take
Now, I'm tellin' this one straight from the official marker — here's how it's recorded for Houston City, capital of the Republic of Texas. On November 30, 1836, the Congress of the Republic cast its vote and chose a place called Houston City as the temporary capital of this brand-new nation. At the time, mind you, it was nothing but a small townsite sitting at the head of Buffalo Bayou navigation.
Not exactly the gleaming seat of power a republic might dream of. But that's what they had, and that's where they were headed. Come April 1, 1837, President Sam Houston and his government arrived — rolled right into a Houston City of mud, tents, and cabins.
The quarters weren't even finished. Congress took one look at the situation and postponed its opening session all the way to May 1. You can almost picture the faces.
The capitol building itself was a two-story plantation-style house with columned porches — which, given everything else, probably passed for grandeur. That building carried some weight, though. It was the scene of important Indian treaties, diplomatic negotiations, and legislative functions.
And since no church yet graced the city, it pulled Sunday duty too, hosting religious services in between affairs of state. That same muddy April, Houston City held its first big social event — the anniversary celebration of the San Jacinto victory, complete with a parade, a reception, and a ball. Mud on the boots, music in the air.
Then, on December 5, 1837, some war heroes and other leaders gathered in that capital and founded the Texas Philosophical Society — the Republic's first learned organization. Things were taking shape. But nothing in this story lands quite like the farewell.
On December 10, 1838, President Houston stepped before the crowd wearing a powdered wig, dressed to resemble George Washington, and delivered a three-hour farewell address. Three hours. After which, Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar was inaugurated as his successor.
In 1839, the capital was removed to Austin. But Houston City got one more chapter — in 1842, during a Mexican invasion, the capital returned here, if only briefly. A city of mud and tents that hosted treaties, inaugurations, a philosophical society, and a president dressed like the Father of the Nation.
Not bad for a townsite at the end of a bayou.
What the marker says
By vote of Congress, Nov. 30, 1836, chosen temporary capital for new Republic of Texas. At the time a small townsite at the head of Buffalo Bayou navigation. Into a "Houston City" of mud, tents, cabins on April 1, 1837, came President Sam Houston and his government. Finding its quarters unfinished, Congress postponed its opening session until May 1. The capitol building was a 2-story plantation style house, with columned porches. It was scene of many important Indian treaties, diplomatic negotiations, legislative functions. As no church yet graced the city, it also was used for religious services. That muddy April saw the city hold its first big social event-- the anniversary celebration of the San Jacinto victory, with parade, reception and ball. On Dec. 5, 1837, some war heroes and other leaders founded in the capital the Texas Philosophical Society, the Republic's first learned organization. In a powdered wig, and dressed to resemble George Washington, President Houston made a 3-hour farewell address, after which Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar was inaugurated his successor on Dec. 10, 1838. In 1839, removed to Austin, the capital returned here, but only briefly, 1842, in Mexican invasion.