Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar

Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar. President of the Republic of Texas. , Born 1798 in Georgia. Came to Texas 1835. Became involved immediately in movement for independence from Mexico. Upon fall of the Alamo and news of Goliad Massacre, joined Texas Army as a private, as Houston moved eastward toward San Jacinto., In swiftly moving chain of events, Lamar was made a colonel on eve of Battle of San Jacinto. There he commanded cavalry with distinction and ten days later was named Secretary of War in the ad interim government. Elected vice-president in new nation's first government, was candidate of the anti-Sam Houston faction for president in next election. He won, and took office in 1838 for 3-year term., During his administration, the Republic of Texas was recognized by Great Britain and France. He was known for his forceful Indian policy and for his opposition to annexation. He laid the foundation for first system of public education in Texas. By his decision Austin was made capital of Texas., A poet and diplomat, he projected the writing of a history of Texas, but died in 1859, before book was well begun. His plantation was near Richmond. He is buried near here, in the Morton Cemetery., Supplemental Plaque #1: , Morton Cemetery is located approximately 2.3 mi. NE of this site. Marker relocated to Lamar Consolidated High School on March 2, 1993., Supplemental Plaque #2: , Dedicated by , Lamar Consolidated High School , Class of 1993