Texas has the unique distinction of being the only state  that was once an independent republic. (But we’re NOT the only state that was once a sovereign nation. Hawaii was a monarchy with a queen and everything, but not a free-voting republic, so they’re a bit different.)

Anyway, back on this day–October 13th of 1845–the citizens of the Republic of Texas voted 4245 to 257 to approve an ordinance to accept annexation to the United States of America. By almost the same margins (4174 to 312) they voted to adopt the proposed state constitution. (It was patterned after the United States Constitution. Be sure to check that out in your Discover Texas curriculum.)

There had been a lot of hemming and hawing about the annexation of Texas as far back as 1803 when the United States purchased the Louisiana territory. You may remember that Spain gave France the territory on condition that they would never sell it to the United States. Spain did NOT want those “interloping Americans” sharing a border with their colonies in Mexico! But when Napoleon needed money to finance his dreams of world expansion, he sold Louisiana after all which (as you might imagine) started a lot of conversation among all parties involved!

When the Texians kicked Santa Anna out after San Jacinto, the conversation started up again. The infant Republic of Texas was out of money and in a vulnerable position. Many saw annexation as a solution to both problems, but some in the US feared war with Mexico if they got involved too soon.

There was also the slavery issue. While Texas did not allow the purchase of slaves, they did somewhat tolerate the institution by allowing immigrants who already had slaves to keep them. Rumblings of civil discord over the issue made this a very sensitive subject, since annexing a new “slave state” would tip the balance of potential votes.