Galveston in the Republic of Texas
Galveston, Galveston County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Galveston Island, for centuries a crossroads for Indians, privateers, Spanish and French explorers, for a time was capital of the Republic of Texas. This was during the Texas War for Independence, when Santa Anna was making his 1836 invasion. On March 17, the hastily organized and interim cabinet of President David G. Burnet evacuated Washington-on-the-Brazos, moving to Harrisburg, and then in April to Galveston. Here it remained until after the Texas victory at San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. From January 1836 until U. S. annexation in 1846, Galveston was the naval base for the fleet which protected shipping and sought to prevent Mexican invasion of Texas by way of the sea. By September 1837 the 4 ships of the Texas Navy had all been lost. Not until April 1840 was the navy reorganized under President M. B. Lamar. A former U. S. Naval officer, Edwin W. Moore, was made commodore. Afterward, when Moore became involved in a bitter controversy with President Sam Houston, Houston ordered the Navy to be sold. At the sale, the incensed people of Galveston used forceful means to prevent bidding. The ships at annexation were all transferred to the United States Navy.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Long a crossroads for Indians, privateers, and Spanish and French explorers, Galveston Island briefly served as capital of the young Republic of Texas. In March 1836, as Santa Anna's army invaded, President David G. Burnet's interim cabinet fled Washington-on-the-Brazos and eventually to Galveston, remaining until the decisive Texas victory at San Jacinto that April. The island then became the base of the fledgling Texas Navy, whose fortunes rose and fell until Sam Houston, feuding with Commodore Edwin W. Moore, ordered the fleet sold — a sale outraged Galvestonians forcibly blocked.
Why it matters
Galveston's story captures the precarious birth of the Republic of Texas — its government in flight, its navy improvised — in the pivotal months of the Texas Revolution.
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Related people
- · David G. Burnet
- · Sam Houston
- · Edwin W. Moore
- · Mirabeau B. Lamar
Related events
- · Battle of San Jacinto
- · Texas Revolution
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Early History of Galveston County
Galveston, TX
Long a crossroads for Native peoples, privateers, and Spanish and French explorers, Galveston Island briefly became the seat of the Republic of Texas in 1836. As Santa Anna's army pushed east, President David G. Burnet's improvised cabinet fled Washington-on-the-Brazos and sheltered here until the Texan victory at San Jacinto. From this port the fledgling Texas Navy, later reorganized under President Lamar and Commodore Edwin W. Moore, guarded the coast against Mexican invasion until U.S. annexation in 1846.
The Wilbur Cherry House
Galveston, TX
New York native Wilbur Cherry fought in the Texas revolution and then helped launch the newspaper that survives today as the Galveston Daily News. Around 1852 he built this two-story home with its distinctive double gallery of square pillars, one of the oldest surviving residences on the island. His widow Catherine lived on there past the turn of the century.
First Navy of the Republic of Texas
Galveston, TX
When Texas rose in revolt against Mexico, Governor Henry Smith established the young republic's first navy on November 25, 1835, a fleet of four ships—Brutus, Independence, Liberty, and Invincible. These vessels harried Mexican shipping and helped protect the Texas coast during the war for independence. This memorial honors the sailors who fought for the fledgling nation.
Near Campsites of Louis-Michel Aury and Francisco Xavier Mina
Galveston, TX
In the winter of 1816–1817, Galveston Island sheltered a polyglot force of adventurers united in the cause of freeing Mexico from Spain. Two young leaders — the impetuous Spanish general Francisco Xavier Mina and the French privateer Louis-Michel Aury, already styled "Commissioner" of Galveston — drilled troops and stockpiled supplies here. Mina sailed in April 1817 with eight ships and some 235 men; he won early victories before being defeated and killed, while Aury remained behind raiding Spanish shipping.