An act to incorporate the City of Houston was passed by the Congress of the Republic of Texas and approved by President Sam Houston on June 5, 1837. On June 22, 1837 law enforcement began with the appointment of a committee composed of Judge Batterson, Francis Lubbock, Captain Moore, Dr. Thomas Gayley, Mayor Issac Morland, Marshal Mann and A. Robertson. The committee was directed "to form the citizens into a patrol for procuring order."