On Feb. 15 in Austin, the Republic of Texas officially relinquished its control to the First Legislature of the new State of Texas. The flag of the Republic of Texas was lowered, and the flag of the United States was raised. The Lone Star Republic had become the Lone Star State. Proclaimed iconic Texas General Sam Houston, a former president of the Republic who would soon become the new state’s first U.S. senator: "Texas will again lift its head and stand among the nations. It ought to do so, for no country upon the globe can compare with it in natural advantages."