ABSTRACT
A minority of Texans firmly believed that the future of Texas as an independent nation was promising, but most hoped for annexation to the United States and rejoiced when that was finally accomplished. On October 22, Burnet resigned, and Houston took the oath of office as the first constitutionally elected president. In his impromptu inaugural address, Houston spoke briefly of his program, one based on his belief that Texas would soon be a part of the United States. The Cherokees, who began moving into Texas as early as 1807, claimed a grant of land was given to them by the Spanish in the vicinity of Nacogdoches. James Collinsworth and Peter W. Grayson, the last representatives sent by the ad interim government, accomplished little except to learn that President Andrew Jackson had sent an agent, Henry M. Morfit, to secure more information about affairs in Texas. Indians must conform to Texas laws, leave the nation, or face extermination.
