In 1834, he was appointed by the Mexican governor as the political chief of the department of the Brazos.

While urging an immediate declaration of independence, he helped prepare the organic law that served as the constitution of a provisional government.

Smith was named governor of the provisional government but soon was locked in struggles with rivals both political and personal.

Smith refused to relinquish the governorship to James W. Robinson[3] but the matter was rendered moot by the Convention of 1836.

In 1840 he was elected to the Fifth Congress of the Republic of Texas, serving in the House of Representatives, though he retired after just one term.

He died in the mining camp he developed in Los Angeles County, California with his sons and was buried nearby.