<P> The authority and responsibilities of the president was similar to that of the President of the United States : to serve the people of Texas , and to serve as the head of the military and the state . These were detailed in the Constitution of the Republic of Texas of 1836 . The Constitution specified a term of two years for the first elected president ( Sam Houston ) and terms of three years thereafter ; the president could not succeed himself , but there were otherwise no term limits . The president was elected separately from the vice president , by popular vote , and there was no requirement to be native - born . A strict reading of the Constitution provided for women 's suffrage ( that is , both men and women were citizens and could vote for Congress , president , and other offices ) , but women and preachers or priests were not allowed to serve as president or in Congress . Indians and Africans and those of African descent could not be citizens . </P>
<P> The authority and responsibilities of the president was similar to that of the President of the United States : to serve the people of Texas , and to serve as the head of the military and the state . These were detailed in the Constitution of the Republic of Texas of 1836 . The Constitution specified a term of two years for the first elected president ( Sam Houston ) and terms of three years thereafter ; the president could not succeed himself , but there were otherwise no term limits . The president was elected separately from the vice president , by popular vote , and there was no requirement to be native - born . A strict reading of the Constitution provided for women 's suffrage ( that is , both men and women were citizens and could vote for Congress , president , and other offices ) , but women and preachers or priests were not allowed to serve as president or in Congress . Indians and Africans and those of African descent could not be citizens . </P>
who was the first popularly elected president of texas
who was the first popularly elected president of texas
Sam Houston
Sam Houston