Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas Page: 16 of 372
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14
BIOGRAPHICAL
Jiis remains were aecolnpanied by the President
andii Cabinet, the officers of the Government and
the military to the family birying ground at Peach
Point, Brazoria Counti.. And hbre now by the side
of his beloved sister EMILY, marked by a plain
marble slab is the grave of
'"THEm FATHER ( o TjEXAS."
Austin was gentle and persuasive in manner;
just, sincere and frank in intercourse-faithful and
true ia all engagements. Hi-Is colonists beheld in
him their founder, law-giver, judge, military commander
and empresairo... They relied on him
in prosperity and in trouble, they had perfect
confidence that hlie would sustain themii in every
emergency; their trust was never misplaced, and
this self sacrifice and devotion to their interests
have not been suspassed. His life was dedicated
to his great work of founding and building-up an
empire. No alluremients, no temptations of personal
wealth or ease could shake his purpose or withdraw
him fromi his beloved Texas. When in the city of
Mexico for the last time, and before his imprisonmeint
a wealthy foreign company (originated for
speculative purposes) desirous of purchasing- from
Mexico all of the public lands in Texas, offered
Austin one niilion of dollars for his interest in
Texas, if he would withdraw his opposition to
making Texas a Territory; his reply was, never
ill I desert my colo.ists, or prove untrue to the
people of Texas. He continued his opposition to, and
defeated the plan of making Texas a Territory, He
loved Texas with his whole heart and watched over
and protected her interests with long and arduous
services-services so exalted and beneficial that
they can bear comparison with those of the noblest
characters of Ancient or Modern times; indeed history
furnishes few such characters. His temperance,
continence and probity might claim to be compared
with the best and purest of his race" and these virtues
were ever present with him, whether amidst
his friends in Texas or in the council or courts or
dungeons of Mexico." Circumstances inseparable
from the settlement and growthl of a iinew country,
and from changes of government have had the effect
to distract the miiinds of mien from inquiry into his
character and services. But history will one day
adorn her page with a delineation of his high and
spotless character, and with the story of his long,
arduous and successful services to his country.
His famie will grow as the State which hlie founded
is destined to grow in prosperity and influence; And
when the Capital which bears his name shall have
become a proud city, aiind when all the hills thatrise around it, andi the noble plains that are spread
out before it shall wear the splendid and blooming
aspect which the plastic hand of art and indlustry
creates, then the name of the pioneer whlio opened
the way for civilization, and for social refinements
to enter when all before was wild, and rude andl
desolate, will have been placed on the bright roll
that bears to future ages the namnes of the worthies
of the past.
'I)RNETT, DAVID ()., one of the Presidents
of the Republic, was born in Newark, New
-. ~ Jersey in 1788. In 1813 lie became a citizen
of Ohio, and in 1817, eingaged in mercantile
business in Natchitoches, Louisiania. lie
now for several years on account of poor health led
a wandering life with the Comanches on the frontiers
of Texas. On his restoration to goodI health lie returned
to Cincinnati, O(hio, where for SoMIle nmonths
he read law. Ini 1826 lie became ai citizen of Texas,
and obtained an empressario contract. IHis honnt
was on the Sian Jacinto river; and in 1833 lie represented
his constituents in the Liberty C.onvention.
As a member of this convention, lie drew up a very
able inemorial to the Mexican Government, showing
the advantage and necessity of Texas having a
separate State Government from Coahuila. Hle
also inritroduced remarkable resolutions strongly
denouncing the African slave trade. In spite of tllh
opposition of Monroe Edwards anid his friends these
resolution' passed. He in 1834 was appointed
District Judge for the Brazos departinent, amd
regularly held his court at San Felipe. At the
organization of the government ad itiertq'it, March
16th, 1.836, Ihe was elected President of the Young
Republic. In 1838 he was elected Vice President
of the Republic. On account of the illness of I'residlent
Lamar, he administered the duties of the
Presidential office the greater part of his ternm.
During Governor Henderson's ad ninistration Burnet
was Secretary of State. In 1866 lie was elected
to the Uniited States Senate, but xs.j4 not admitted!
to his seat. He dlied in the family of Mr. Preston
Perry, of Galveston, on the 5th of December, 1870.
Colonel A. M. Hobby, in a biography of Judge Burnet
says: "Judge Burnet was distinguished by an
honorable anid active participationi in the event of a
revolution, the character of which his human e and
generous influence imipressed anid his enlightened
policy guided; and was a sincere and ardent friend
of the human race, but above all distingutished by
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Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas (Book)
Biographical view of Texas and its history including narratives of the individuals who helped shape Texas history and information about important point in history including: the pioneer days of Texas, Texas' transition from a Mexican state to being part of the United States, and the wars in which Texas citizens took part.
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Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas, book, 1880; New York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5827/m1/16/: accessed May 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.