In 1836, Bee moved his family to Texas and took part in the Texas Revolution. He settled near Houston. Bee served the young republic in a number of political offices: as secretary of the treasury in 1836, secretary of war from 1837–1838, and secretary of state from 1839-1839. In 1839, Texas sent him as an agent to negotiate permanent peace and borders with Mexico. His offers were rejected. He began his return by sailing to Cuba, then obtained passage to Washington, DC.