Presidential Leadership Lessons is a podcast hosted by Tom Fox. This begins a four-part series on leadership lessons not from US Presidents but from Presidents from the Republic of Texas, from 1836 to 1845. In this series, Tom is joined by Don Frazier, head of the Texas Center at Schreiner University in Kerrville TX to discuss the four Presidents which Texas was its own country. In this first episode, Tom and Don discuss David G. Burnet and the first President of the Republic of Texas. He served from March 1836 to October 1836. Join Tom Fox and Don Frazier and listen to the incredible stories of President David G. Burnet and the actual events which made him a leader of the Republic of Texas.
David G. Burnet arrived in what was then Mexico by way of Cincinnati. He took up the project of Texas independence almost immediately. He was driven with a clear view of what he considered right and wrong and had the courage to stand up to the challenges he faced. He successfully led a series of retreats when Santa Ana and his forces closed in on him and his nascent government. Santa Ana eventually was captured by the Mexican government and Burnet led the negotiations over the Treaty to end the war effectively, navigating the volatile situation.
Key Highlights
The Power of Standing up for Your Rights: David G. Burnet’s Story [00:04:23]
The Relationship Between David G. Burnet and Sam Houston [00:08:29]
The Capturing of Santa Ana and David G. Burnet’s Role. [00:12:27]
Comparing the Visions of David G. Burnett and Saint Houston in Texas [00:16:36]
The Power of Perseverance [00:20:38]
Notable Quotes:
1. “He was an early adopter of filibustering, etcetera. And during the Latin American wars for independence, he lent his sword to the rebels down in Venezuela, and I think he fought in Chile too.”
2. “He stands up on a table or a bench and says, look. You know, we need to get this going. Well, let’s get a government organized, and guess what? I will put my head through that noose.”
3. “David G. Burnet stood up in the rowboat and looked back at the Mexican saying, look, if you’re going to shoot somebody, shoot right here, but, you know, my wife’s over here so you hit me and not her.”
4. “David G. Burnet protected Santa Ana’s life by keeping him Ana on the boat. And that preserves Santa Ana to fight another day, and he’ll have a long and interesting career after this.”
Resources:
Don Frazier, Director The Texas Center
