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David G. Burnet | TSHA

David G. Burnet, a speculator lawyer, and the first interim president of the Republic of Texas, he was born to a large family on April 14th, 1788 in Newark, New Jersey, David Burnett grew up religious and straight edge. He didn't drink curse or chew tobacco. He came to Texas under a grant from the government of Mexico after years of trade missions and traveling from Louisiana to south America.

Texas began to look appealing, to Burnet after giving up, attempting to colonize Nacodoches. He arrived in Galveston bay in April of 1831, like many Americans in the 1830s Burnet was seeking prosperity in Mexican, Texas, shortly after he had purchased 17 acres on the San Jacinto river, the Mexican government backed out of the deal  around the time of Burnet's arrival tensions between the Mexican government and the Anglo Texans were rising.

Burnet was articulate so he was chosen to represent  his neighborhood . At the convention of San Felipe in 1833. He helped draft a plea to sever Texas from the Then adjoined, Cohuila and made  statement against the African slave trade Burnet rose in the ranks in politics in Mexican, Texas. He even spoke against Texas independence.

As tensions with Mexico reached a boiling point. Burnet was elected as president of Texas at the convention of 1836, officially beginning the revolution against Mexico throughout the revolution.   Burnet and Sam Houston butted hits Burnet would send letters to Sam Houston criticizing him for his lack of aggression on the battlefield.

Although Sam Houston ended up strategically defeating the Mexican army and officially winning independence among countless arguments and near fist fight.  After the battle of San Jacinto Burnet refused to authorize a Texas Navy vessel to carry Houston to new Orleans. After he was shot in the leg. During the battle, Sam Houston had to charter his own vessel after Texas gained its independence.

David G. Burnett called for an election so that the people of Texas could vote for their own officials to Burnet's dismay

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