President of the Republic of Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of the Republic of Texas |
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Seal of The Republic of Texas (1839–45)
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| Precursor | Political Chief (Mexico) |
| Formation | 16 March 1836 (Interim) 22 October 1836 (Constitutional) |
| First holder | Sam Houston (David G. Burnet, Interim March–October 1836) |
| Final holder | Anson Jones |
| Succession | Governor of Texas |
The president of the Republic of Texas was the main leader of the country when Texas was an independent nation. This was between 1836 and 1845. The president was like the boss of the country and also the head of its military forces.
Contents
History of the Texas Presidency
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The Republic of Texas was created in 1836. This happened during the Texas Revolution. Texan settlers chose people to represent them at the Convention of 1836. This group wrote the Texas Declaration of Independence. They also chose David G. Burnet to be the first temporary president of the new country.
In May 1836, President Burnet and Mexican leader Antonio López de Santa Anna signed an agreement. Santa Anna was a prisoner of war at the time. This agreement, called the Treaties of Velasco, officially said that Texas was separate from Mexico.
What the President Did
The president of Texas had duties similar to the president of the United States. They had to serve the people of Texas and lead the military and the government. These duties were written down in the Constitution of the Republic of Texas in 1836.
The Constitution said that the first elected president, Sam Houston, would serve for two years. After that, presidents would serve for three years. A president could not be elected right after their first term, but they could be elected again later. The president was chosen by popular vote, meaning people voted for them. There was no rule that a president had to be born in Texas. The Constitution allowed both men and women to vote for leaders. However, women, preachers, or priests could not become president or serve in Congress.
Where the President Lived
The capital city of Texas changed several times during the Republic's existence. This happened especially during and right after the Texas Revolution.
- Washington-on-the-Brazos was the first temporary capital in 1836.
- Then came Harrisburg (1836), Galveston (1836), and Velasco (1836), all temporary.
- Columbia was the capital from 1836 to 1837.
- Houston was the capital from 1837 to 1839.
- Finally, Austin, which is still the capital today, became the capital from 1839 to 1846.
End of the Presidency
The role of president ended when Texas joined the United States. This happened on February 19, 1846. President Anson Jones played a big part in this. He was even called "The architect of Annexation." He served for about one year and three months.
The amount of power a president had changed over the nine years Texas was independent. In the beginning, there was a greater need for military action. This meant the president had more power. Later, during more peaceful times, their power was less. However, no president ever broke or changed the Texas Constitution.
Other countries, like the United States and France, recognized Texas as an independent nation. This meant the president could lead without outside interference. The Republic often worked closely with the United States. Several presidents wanted Texas to join the United States and become a state.
The Vice President's Role
The Constitution stated that if the president died, resigned, or was removed from office, the vice president would take over. However, this never happened. The vice president also led the Senate and could cast a tie-breaking vote if needed.
Oath of Office
Before a president could start their job, they had to take an oath or affirmation. This was a promise to do their duties. The words for this promise were in the Constitution of the Republic of Texas. It was very similar to the oath taken by the President of the United States.
The oath was: "I, A. B., President of the Republic of Texas, do solemnly and sincerely swear [or affirm, as the case may be] that I will faithfully execute the duties of my office, and to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the Republic."
List of Presidents and Vice Presidents
| No. | Portrait | Name (birth–death) |
Term | Election | Prior office | Vice President |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – |  |
David G. Burnet (1788–1870) |
March 16, 1836 – October 22, 1836 |
– | Delegate to the Convention of 1833 | Lorenzo de Zavala |
| 1 |  |
Sam Houston (1793–1863) |
October 22, 1836 – December 10, 1838 |
1836 | Commander-in-chief of the Texian Army | Mirabeau B. Lamar |
| 2 |  |
Mirabeau B. Lamar 1798–1859 |
December 10, 1838 – December 13, 1841 |
1838 | 1st vice president of the Republic of Texas | David G. Burnet |
| 3 | |
Sam Houston (1793–1863) |
December 13, 1841 – December 9, 1844 |
1841 | 1st president of the Republic of Texas | Edward Burleson |
| 4 |  |
Anson Jones (1798–1858) |
December 9, 1844 – December 19, 1846 |
1844 | 11th secretary of state of the Republic of Texas | Kenneth Lewis Anderson
Vacant after July 3, 1845 |
