he
administered a severe beating to his accuser, a member of Congress. For this he
»;i- lined $500 and reprimanded by the bar of the House, but Jackson remitted the
fine. Soon after his return to the West he removed to Texas to take part in the
agitation just started against Mexican rule. He was a member oi the convention
w hich adopted a separate constitution for Texas in 1833, and two years later aided in
forming a provisional government, and was elected commander-in-chief to organize
the new militia. In 1836 he was a member of the convention which declared the
independence of Texas. At the battle of San Jacinto in April of that year hedefeated
with 7.">n men Santa Ana's army of 1,800, inflicting upon the Mexicans the terrible
loss oi 630 killed and 730 prisoners, amongwhom was Santa Ana himself. Houston
received a severe wound in the engagement. In the autumn of the same year he
was elected first president of the republic of Texas, receiving more than four-fifths
of the Vote- cast. He served two years and retired at the end of his term, leaving
the country on good terms with both Mexico and the Indian tribes, and with its
note- at par. He was immediately elected to the Texas congress and served in that
capacity until 1841, when he was reelected president. It was during these years that
he made his steadfast fight in behalf of the Texas < Iherokee, as is narrated elsew here,
supporting their cause without wavering, at the risk of his own popularity and posi-
tion. He frequently declared that no treaty made and carried out