howeenterprise.com
Monday, October 5, 2015
Page #14
James Pinckney Henderson captured his attention. Inspired by the fight for Texas independence, he quickly raised money and volunteers for the effort, but the fighting was over by the time they arrived in June 1836. Texas nevertheless promoted him to general.
the state’s first governor in the December 1845 elections. As it was still a new state with comparatively few settlers, less than 10,000 voters participated in the election on December 15. Henderson won easily against Dr. James B. Miller, with 82% of the vote. On December 29, Texas officially became the twentyUpon the election of Sam Houston eighth state in the Union. as president of the Republic of Dr. Ken Bridges Texas in September, Henderson Much of Henderson’s tenure as James Pinckney Henderson may became a trusted part of his new governor was dominated by not have been one of the most cabinet. He served briefly as organizing the new state government famous of early Texas figures, but attorney general before becoming and the large debt that Texas had his actions were perhaps some of secretary of state in 1837. accumulated. The new state the most important. As a lawyer, legislature named Henderson County diplomat, and the state’s first With the United States unwilling in East Texas for him in 1846. The governor, he helped build strong to provoke Mexico by bringing City of Henderson, also named for foundations for the future of Texas into the Union, foreign him, had been founded three years Texas. support became vital. Houston before in Rusk County, further east thus named Henderson as the of his namesake county. Henderson was born in North Texas Ambassador to both France Carolina in 1808. By the age of and Great Britain. Through his Perhaps his greatest challenge was 21, he had graduated from the persistent negotiations, Henderson the long-threatened war between University of North Carolina Law persuaded the two to not only Mexico and the United States that School and earned admission to recognize Texas independence but finally erupted in 1846. The border the state bar. He became known also offer generous trade terms. for his voracious study habits during his years in school, poring His last duty for the Texas over law books up to eighteen Republic was perhaps his most hours per day. important. In January 1844, the re-elected President Houston sent For Henderson, failure to give him and Isaac Van Zandt to oneself entirely to a task was negotiate an annexation treaty unacceptable. His dedication won with the United States. Threats of him great admiration among his war with Mexico and protests by peers. Because of this, he rose abolitionists over slavery in Texas quickly to the rank of colonel in hampered negotiations, but fears the North Carolina militia. In of British domination over Texas 1835, he moved to central and Henderson’s persistence won Mississippi where he opened a law the day. The treaty was signed on practice. However, news of the April 12. events unfolding in Texas Henderson was nominated to be
dispute that exploded on the Rio Grande galvanized the United States into action. Mexican forces were pushed steadily from the border and ultimately vanquished altogether. In 1847, with his two-year term coming to an end, Henderson announced he would not seek reelection. He spent the next few years practicing law in San Augustine before he was once again called back into public service. One of the state’s first two US Senators, Sen. Thomas Jefferson Rusk, died suddenly in 1857. In November, Gov. Elisha M. Pease appointed Henderson to fill the remainder of Sen. Rusk’s term. However, Henderson himself died in June 1858, barely fifty years old. Dr. Bridges is a Texas native, writer, and history professor. He can be reached at drkenbridges@gmail.com.
