Today, the 2nd March, in 1836 Texas declared independence from Mexico.
Its first(interim) President was David Burnet, a lawyer born in New Jersey, who found himself in Washington on the Brazos when news of Travis’ plea came from the Alamo. One of his first acts as President was to move the capital nearer the small Texan navy and the United States. . He chose Harrisberg. In the meantime Sam Houston, commanding the Texan army, withdrew on news of the fall of the Alamo. Houston was to best Santa Anna, the Mexican President and General of its army, at the battle of San Jacinto on the 21st April. This battle led to a peace treaty with Santa Anna.
Houston was to be Texas’ second President and he favoured joining the United Stares. Another faction, led by Lamar, favoured staying independent. The almost ten years of Republic were difficult ones with incursions by a Mexico, which never considered them independent and problems with Indians, especially Commanches.
Texas joined the United States on the 29th December 1845, with Austin as its capital, becoming the 28th State.