David G. Burnet letters

Collection

Identifier: MS 0188

Staff Only

Finding aid note: Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Scope and Contents

Letters to and from David Gouverneur Burnet (1788-1870)of the Republic of Texas, in printed and typescript form. The first series of these letters consists of photocopies of newspaper clippings of the David G. Burnet letters as they appeared in the "La Grange Journal." These letters date from 1836 to 1838 and appeared in the "Journal" between July 9,1936 and February 4, 1937. The letters were edited and annotated by Houston Wade. Many were written to Colonel James Morgan and recount much military activity under Burnet’s presidency. The second part of the collection consists of typed copies of letters to and from members of the Burnet family. They are of a more personal nature and discuss family matters and opinions on slavery and the Abolitionists. With these is a letter to Houston Wade regarding the letters, and some of Wade’s notes about them. Also included is a typed copy of Wade’s entry for the "La Grange Journal" from July 30, 1936.

Dates

Creation: 1836 - 1859

Creator

Burnet, David Gouverneur (Person)

Access Restrictions

This material is open for research.

Conditions Governing Access

Stored onsite at the Woodson Research Center.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish from the Burnet letters, MS 188, must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

Biographical Note

David Gouverneur Burnet (1788-1870) was born in Newark, New Jersey. About 1817 he moved to Natchitoches, Louisiana, and in 1831 to Texas. He was ad interim president of the Republic of Texas from March 17 to October 22, 1836. In 1836 he was elected vice president of the Republic of Texas, serving part time as secretary of state and acting president.