Title: Texian Loan
Author: Government of Texas
Date: 1836
Condition: See description
Inches: 8 5/8 x 10 1/2 [Paper]
Centimeters: 21.90 x 26.67 [Paper]
Product ID: 308656

Financing a Revolution: The 1836 Texian Loan

This original “Texian Loan” certificate, printed by Benjamin Levy in New Orleans, acknowledging receipt by Jason Morrison of thirty‑two dollars as the first instalment on a $320, five‑year loan to the provisional Government of Texas at 8% annual interest, with the standard option—typical of early Texian Loan issues—to convert the debt into Texas land at fifty cents per acre, and it bears the full, bold signatures of commissioners Stephen F. Austin, Branch T. Archer, and William H. Wharton within an ornate, banknote‑style border that matches the most sought‑after first‑issue Texian Loan certificates seen in the market.

Texian loans represent a particularly compelling chapter in Texas history. In 1836, the newly formed government of the Republic of Texas dispatched three commissioners to the United States to solicit political backing and, crucially, financial support for its war of independence. The subscription campaign proved remarkably successful, with Texian loans ultimately generating more than $250,000 to underwrite the revolutionary cause.

Texas in 1836

In 1836, Texas was in the midst of its revolution against Mexico and was transforming from a Mexican province into the independent Republic of Texas. In early March, delegates meeting at Washington‑on‑the‑Brazos declared independence, drafted a new constitution, and formed an ad interim government even as Mexican forces advanced. That spring, Sam Houston’s Texian army won a decisive victory over Santa Anna at San Jacinto, securing de facto independence and allowing the young republic to begin organizing its own political institutions and finances, including instruments like the Texian loans.

The piece reads, in substance, as follows:

Along the left border appears the legend “GOVERNMENT OF TEXAS,” flanked above and below by small vignettes of a sphinx; opposite, along the right, is the inscription “SIX HUNDRED AND FORTY ACRES OF LAND” framed by ornamental decoration. At the top, the heading states “TEXIAN LOAN. Three Hundred and Twenty Dollars. Certificate No. 474.”

Received, of Jason Morrison Thirty-Two Dollars, the First Instalment on a Loan of Three Hundred and Twenty Dollars, made by him this day to the Government of Texas for FIVE YEARS, bearing Interest at the rate of EIGHT PERCENTUM PER ANNUM, payable annually. Public Notice to be given, according to contract, when the other Instalments will be required, at which time they may be paid or not, at the option of the said Jason Morrison or his assignee. For the amount paid, Land in Texas may be taken at FIFTY CENTS per Acre, with the guarantees and conditions of the contract aforesaid. IN TESTIMONY WHEROF, we have hereunto set our hands, and affixed our seals, in the City of NEW-ORLEANS, this Eleventh day of January, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six.

Condition

Very Fine. Typical “X‑shaped” cancellation cut, with a small triangular segment removed that does not materially impair legibility. Bearing minimal toning and typical horizontal folds from original handling. The engraved border, typographic elements, and vignettes are sharply printed with minimal ink spread, and the manuscript portions—including the three commissioner signatures—are clear and legible, showing only modest fading.

Background on Creator(s)

In 1836, the Government of Texas was in the process of transforming from a revolutionary provisional body into the formal Republic of Texas under the new constitution adopted at Washington‑on‑the‑Brazos. Delegates created a republican system modeled closely on that of the United States, dividing authority into three separate branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—to prevent power from concentrating in any one part of government. The executive branch was headed by a president and vice president, while legislative power was vested in a bicameral Congress consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate, and a Supreme Court sat at the apex of the judiciary with inferior district and county courts beneath it.

Stephen F. Austin (1793–1836) was an American‑born empresario who led the principal effort to colonize Mexican Texas with Anglo‑American settlers, earning him the title “Father of Texas.” In the 1820s he secured land grants from Mexican authorities and brought in the “Old Three Hundred” families, while serving as the chief civil and military authority in his colony. Fluent in Spanish and skilled in Mexican politics, he often acted as Texas’s advocate with the national government, even taking a moderate stance as tensions with Mexico grew. During the Texas Revolution he briefly commanded forces, then served as a commissioner to the United States, and after independence he became the new republic’s first secretary of state, dying in office in December 1836.

Branch Tanner Archer (1790–1856) was a Virginia‑born physician and politician who moved to Texas in 1831 and quickly became an outspoken advocate of independence from Mexico. He fought at the Battle of Gonzales, presided over the Consultation of 1835, and was then appointed—alongside Stephen F. Austin and William H. Wharton—as one of the commissioners sent to the United States to raise money, men, and support for the Texian cause, including through instruments such as the Texian loans. After independence he served in the Republic of Texas Congress, became Speaker of the House, later Secretary of War, and remained a prominent public figure, with Archer County and Archer City eventually named in his honor.

William Harris Wharton (1802–1839) was a prominent early Texas colonist, lawyer, and gifted orator who emerged as one of the most forceful advocates for full independence from Mexico. He served as a delegate to the Texas conventions of 1832 and 1833, presiding over the latter and authoring an influential petition urging separate statehood for Texas. During the Texas Revolution he fought as an officer, then was appointed—alongside Stephen F. Austin and Branch T. Archer—as a commissioner to the United States to secure men, money, and diplomatic support for the Texian cause, work that included promoting instruments like the Texian loans. After independence he became the Republic of Texas’s first minister to the United States, playing a key role in winning formal recognition of Texas before returning home to serve in the Texas Senate, with Wharton County later named in his honor.

Texas Documents

J.S. Cullinan Anti-Prohibition Broadside: The Houston Press, 1928

Texian Loan (Signed by Stephen F. Austin): Government of Texas, 1836