Sam Houston’s first term as president of Texas began two months early in October 1836 and lasted until December 1838. Before Texas became a state in 1845, it held three more elections for president – all for terms of three years instead of two.

Houston’s first vice president was Mirabeau B. Lamar, and he succeeded Houston as president in 1838. Lamar came to Texas just in time for the revolution against Mexico (1835) and fought with Houston at the decisive Battle of San Jacinto (which gave Texas its independence).

Lamar and Houston eventually became political rivals, however. Whereas Houston wanted Texas to become a U.S. state, Lamar opposed the idea. Moreover, Lamar sought to exterminate Native Americans from Texas including the Texas Cherokees with whom Houston was friendly.

Lamar sought recognition of the Republic of Texas by major European countries, but without success. Moreover, his economic policies drove Texas to near bankruptcy.

On the positive side of things, however, Lamar located the capital of Texas at Austin and strongly supported educational facilities for Texas’s white residents.

After his presidential term ended in 1841, Lamar remained active in military and political activities. After statehood, he fought in the Mexican War (1846-1847), served in the Texas legislature, and was U.S. ambassador to both Nicaragua and Costa Rica from 1858 to 1859.

Houston’s second stint as president was from 1841 to 1844. In trying to undo some of Lamar’s actions, Houston sought good relations with Native Americans and worked to improve Texas’s economy. He also continued to advocate for annexation by the U.S. although he doubted it would happen.

Whereas, Houston was enemies with Texas presidents David G. Burnet and Lamar, he was an ally of the republic’s last president, Anson Jones. A doctor in New York before migrating to Texas, Jones served in the Texas Senate and as Houston’s secretary of state.

Jones served as president from 1844 until Texas became a state in December 1845 although he effectively ran Texas until the first state governor was sworn in in February 1846.