Telegraph and Texas Register (1835–1877) was the second permanent newspaper in Texas. Originally conceived as the Telegraph and Texas Planter, the newspaper was renamed shortly before it began publication, to reflect its new mission to be "a faithful register of passing events". Owners Gail Borden, John Pettit Borden, and Joseph Baker founded the paper in San Felipe de Austin, a community long at the center of Texas politics. The first issue was printed on October 10, 1835, days after the outbreak of the Texas Revolution. The first issue was printed on October 10, 1835, days after the outbreak of the Texas Revolution. Later, when John Pettit Borden left to join the Texas Revolution, brother Thomas Borden stepped in to take his place. Gail served as the editor and Tom served as the business manager. As the war for independence intensified, however, Thomas Borden and Joseph Baker joined as soldiers, and left Gail to run the paper alone.

Gail Borden Jr. was a native New Yorker who settled in Texas in 1829, where he worked as a land surveyor, newspaper publisher, and inventor. He created a process in 1853 to make sweetened condensed milk. Earlier, Borden helped plan the cities of Houston and Galveston in 1836.