Columbia in 1836

Columbia in 1836. . , When ad interim President David G. Burnet selected Columbia to serve as the capital for the first elected Congress of the Republic of Texas, Columbia had a population of approximately 3,000. A group of businessmen promised accommodations for use by the government. Mary Austin Holley, a cousin of Stephen F. Austin, wrote in The Texas Diary, 1835-1838, that Columbia had:

"a building or two constructed while it was the seat of the courts, for a courthouse, and offices, etc. and a few dwelling houses...there was also a new hotel kept by Bell, new and spacious the largest building there."

Francis Lubbock came to Columbia from the "large and gay city of New Orleans” and took great pride in the name of Columbia, "the same honored name as the capital of my native South Carolina.” Lubbock described his experiences in Columbia:

"All the while no shelter could be obtained. I took my meals with Fitchett and Gill, the tavern-keepers, sleeping under a liveoak tree at night. This was the lodging place of many...There was something in it new and attractive the fine old liveoaks, other majestic trees of the forest, the woods near the town filled with bear, Mexican lions, deer, turkey and game of every kind."

Not all citizens were happy that Columbia was selected as capital. Responsibility for the promised accommodations fell to the citizens; the government did not offer to pay rent. Josiah Bell felt that it interfered with the raising of his red hogs. Some citizens were concerned with the "riff raff” that had come to Columbia. Others who had promised accommodations had actually withdrawn them, creating the shortfall that necessitated the movement of the capital., Accommodations promised: , - Store house formerly occupied by Mr. W. C. White with five rooms , - House formerly occupied by J. C. Cole - Rooms , - Old Alcalde's office with fire place , - Mrs. Sledges 1 Room and Stove , - House of Mr. Beards 20 feet square with stove , - Mr. Sampson (Sampier) with 2 rooms and 1 fireplace , - Hendricks Rooms with 2 fire places , - Mrs. Carson room with stove , - Col. Eberlys 2 Rooms , - All the chairs and tables necessary for both Houses of Congress