James Pinckney Henderson - Governor of Texas, War With Mexico, United States Senator

Governor of Texas, War With Mexico, United States Senator

In 1840, he returned to Texas and set up a private law practice in San Augustine. He was sent to Washington, D.C. in 1844 to work in coordination with Isaac Van Zandt to secure the annexation of Texas to the United States. Although the annexation treaty was signed, it was rejected by the United States Senate, and Henderson was recalled to Texas. An annexation treaty approved the United States Senate was finally passed on December 29, 1845.

In preparation for anticipated statehood, the Texas gubernatorial election, 1845 elected Henderson as its first Governor. He took office on February 19, 1846. When the Mexican-American War broke out in April of that year, Henderson took a leave of absence as Governor to command a troop of Texas Rangers. He served with the rank of Major General under Zachary Taylor. He returned home to resume his duties as Governor, but did not run for a second term. He later served in the United States Senate from November 9, 1857 until his death on June 4, 1858.

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