with 7,154 votes compared to second place finisher James B. Miller with 5,106. When the governor took office, Texas had US$5,500,00 in outstanding bonds with no obvious means to repay the debt. To deal with the public debt, he advocated a plan to sell state land to the U.S. Federal government. The Texas Legislature did not support this plan and, after negotiations with Wood, passed a bill calling for the state Accountant and comptroller to determine the exact amount of debt before a method of payment was determined. The Wood administration also saw an intensification of a dispute over the status of New Mexico. Texas considered New Mexico part of its territory but the claim was not recognized by the Federal government. To strengthen its claim, the Texas Legislature created Santa Fe County and the eleventh judicial district. When the judge appointed to preside over the new district arrived in Santa Fe, he found federal troops already in the city who were determined to support the federal position. Other issues dealt with by Wood were the organization of towns and counties, establishing court buildings, and reforming government operations. To defend the state's western frontier, a request was sent to Congress asking for a string of forts to be constructed. Reapportionment of the state was the most contested issue to arise during Wood's term. The coastal and central sections of the state, fearing loss of representation, opposed the proposal while the northeastern section supported the effort. Despite the opposition, a reapportionment bill was passed by the legislature. On February 21, 1848, Wood presided over the Texas Democratic convention, the first true political convention to be held in the state. This was followed by an 1849 effort to win a second term. The primary challenger to the governor was Peter H. Bell who ran on the issues of frontier defense and the New Mexico dispute. Wood strongly defended the positions he had taken but was defeated by a margin of 10,319 votes to 8,754. Later life After leaving office, Wood returned to his farm. In addition to his plantation, he established a mercantile business in Galveston. He made unsuccessful runs to be elected Governor in 1853 and 1855. He died at his home on September 3, 1858. References External links 1795 births 1858 deaths Democratic Party governors of Texas Democratic Party Texas state senators American military personnel of the Mexican–American War People