The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 73, July 1969 - April, 1970 Page: 177

Early Texas Politics: The Henderson Administration

had then been prevailed upon by friends to become an active can-
didate for governor.'
Newspapers had high praise for candidate Henderson. The editors
of the Texas National Register, published at Washington-on-the-Brazos,
declared "We know of no gentleman in the Republic, to whom the
important interests of the new State could be more safely entrusted.""
The San Augustine Red-Lander gave its support to local resident Hen-
derson, stating "We are satisfied that a better selection could not have
been made, and we shall be highly gratified to see him elevated to
this dignity in the Government of the new State of Texas." In com-
mending Henderson, the Red-Lander quoted the Houston Telegraph
and Texas Register which described the courtly East Texan as one of
the few public men in Texas of whom it can be said "he has no ene-
mies." The Red-Lander was so confident of success for both Henderson
and Horton that it predicted little excitement in the forthcoming
election.'
Throughout September and October Henderson was the only an-
nounced candidate and many assumed he would win without organized
opposition. Several days before President Jones's official proclamation
setting dates for the election, however, the name of Dr. James B.
Miller of Fort Bend County was entered as a candidate for governor.
A former member of the pre-Revolution Coahuila y Texas legislature,
a cabinet officer under Sam Houston, and a participant in both the
Texas Congress and the Convention of 1845, Miller was like Hen-
derson a highly respected and able public leader. His nomination,
made public at a gathering held in Brenham on November 8, was
viewed with concern by supporters of Henderson. The editor of the
pro-Henderson Telegraph and Texas Register, while admitting that
Miller was one of "the oldest and most respected citizens of Texas,"
criticized his decision to accept the nomination. This attempt by
Miller's friends to "create an excitement in his favor," the editor
believed to be "singularly inopportune." Miller's supporters "re-
semble weary mariners striving against wind and current," com-
mented the editor, "and it is a wonder to us how the prudent and
discreet among them can even hope for success.""
'Winchester, "James Pinckney Henderson," 67; and Stephen B. Oates (ed.), Rip Ford's
Texas (Austin, 1963), 20.
'Texas National Register (Washington), September 4, 1845.
'Red-Lander (San Augustine), October 23, 1845.
7Ibid., November 6, 1845.
8Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston), November 19, 1845-

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