What conflict arose regarding the location of the national archives in Texas?

The Archive War occurred in 1842 and was a significant conflict concerning the location of the Texas national archives. After the Republic of Texas was established, the archives were initially in the capital city of Austin. However, due to fears of a Mexican invasion, the government decided to relocate the archives to Houston for safekeeping. This move was met with strong resistance from the citizens of Austin who believed that the archives should remain in the capital, which was crucial for maintaining the identity and legitimacy of the fledgling republic.

The situation escalated when a group of local residents took matters into their own hands to retrieve the archives from Houston and return them to Austin, leading to a series of confrontations. The conflict highlighted the tensions between different regions in Texas and the significance placed on historical documents and the symbols of governance. Ultimately, the archives were brought back to Austin, reaffirming the city's status as the capital of Texas. This episode illustrated the deeply rooted feelings tied to Texas identity and governance during a formative period in its history.