James Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of the state of Texas, held office from February 19, 1846 to December 21, 1847. He was born March 31, 1808 in North Carolina and came to Texas in 1836 from Mississippi after raising a company of volunteers to fight for Texas independence. President David G. Burnet commissioned Henderson to raise troops for Texas in the United States. Once Texas became a republic, Henderson served as attorney general and then secretary of state under President Sam Houston in 1836 and 1837, acted as special minister to England and France from 1837 to 1840, assisted Isaac Van Zandt in negotiating an annexation treaty in 1844, and served as a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1845. Henderson ran for governor after the death of Kenneth Anderson, who was his law partner and a leading contender in the governor's race. Lieutenant Governor Albert Clinton Horton became acting governor on May 19, 1846 when Henderson led a regiment of Texas volunteers to fight in the Mexican War. Henderson returned to his duties as governor on December 13, 1846. He did not seek re-election after his term as governor expired, but returned to his San Augustine law practice. Henderson filled the United States Senate seat of Thomas J. Rusk from November 9, 1857 until his death on June 4, 1858 in Washington, D.C.
From the guide to the Records, 1846-1847, (Texas State Archives)
