President of the Republic of Texas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Republic of Texas
Seal of The Republic of Texas (1839–45)
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 Texas when it was its own country. This was between 1836 and 1845. The president was like the boss of the whole country. They were also the head of its military, called the Texas Military Forces.

What the Texas President Did

Seals of the Republic of Texas

(1837–1839)

(1839–1845)

The Republic of Texas started in 1836. This happened during the Texas Revolution. Texan settlers chose people to go to the Convention of 1836. At this meeting, they wrote the Texas Declaration of Independence. They also picked David G. Burnet to be the first temporary president.

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 Texas was free from Mexico.

President's Powers and Rules

The president of Texas had powers and duties much like the president of the United States. They had to serve the people of Texas. They also led the military and the government. These rules were written in the Constitution of the Republic of Texas in 1836.

The Constitution said the first president, Sam Houston, would serve for two years. After that, presidents would serve for three years. A president could not be elected right after serving a term. But they could be elected again later.

The president was chosen by a vote from the people. The vice president was also chosen by a separate vote. You did not have to be born in Texas to be president. The Constitution said that both men and women could vote. However, women, preachers, or priests could not be president or serve in Congress.

Where the President Lived

The capital city of Texas moved several times. So, the president lived in different towns. This happened especially during and after the Texas Revolution.

• Washington-on-the-Brazos was the first capital in 1836 (temporary).
• Then came Harrisburg (1836, temporary).
• Next was Galveston (1836, temporary).
• Then Velasco (1836, temporary).
• After that, Columbia (1836–37).
• Then Houston (1837–39).
• Finally, Austin became the capital from 1839 to 1846. Austin is still the capital today.

End of the Presidency

The job of president ended when Texas joined the United States. This was called the Texas annexation. President Anson Jones was the last president. He helped Texas join the U.S. He was called "The architect of Annexation." He served for about one year and three months.

The power of the president changed a lot during Texas's nine years as an independent country. In the beginning, there was more need for military action. So, the president had more power. Later, during peaceful times, the president had less power. No president ever broke or changed the Texas Constitution.

Other countries, like the United States and France, recognized Texas as an independent country. This meant the president could lead without outside interference. Texas usually worked closely with the United States. Many presidents wanted Texas to become a U.S. state.

Role of the Vice President

The Constitution said the vice president would take over if the president died, quit, or was removed from office. This never happened. The vice president also led the Senate. They could vote if there was a tie.

President's Promise to Serve

The president had to make a special promise before starting their job. This promise was called the oath of office. It was written in the Constitution of the Republic of Texas. The words were very much like the promise the U.S. president makes.

The promise 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."

Leaders of the Republic of Texas

Here is a list of the presidents and vice presidents of the Republic of Texas.

Presidents and vice presidents of the Republic of Texas
No.	Presidency	President		Prior office	Party	Term	Vice President
—	March 16, 1836 – October 22, 1836		David G. Burnet 1788–1870 (Lived: 82 years)	Delegate to the Convention of 1833	Unaffiliated	Interim	Lorenzo de Zavala
1	October 22, 1836 – December 10, 1838		Sam Houston 1793–1863 (Lived: 70 years)	Commander-in-chief of the Texian Army (1836)	Unaffiliated	1 (1836)	Mirabeau B. Lamar
2	December 10, 1838 – December 13, 1841		Mirabeau B. Lamar 1798–1859 (Lived: 61 years)	1st vice president of the Republic of Texas	Unaffiliated	2 (1838)	David G. Burnet
3	December 13, 1841 – December 9, 1844		Sam Houston 1793–1863 (Lived: 70 years)	1st president of the Republic of Texas	Unaffiliated	3 (1841)	Edward Burleson
4	December 9, 1844 – February 19, 1846		Anson Jones 1798–1858 (Lived: 59 years)	11th secretary of state of the Republic of Texas (1841–1844)	Unaffiliated	4 (1844)	Kenneth Lewis Anderson December 9, 1844 – July 3, 1845 (Died in office)
							Office vacant (July 3, 1845-February 19, 1846)