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In October 1835, settlers in [[Mexican Texas]] launched the [[Texas Revolution]].
In October 1835, settlers in [[Mexican Texas]] launched the [[Texas Revolution]].


However, within [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], many struggled with understanding what the ultimate goal of the Revolution was. Some believed that the goal should be total independence from Mexico, while others sought the reimplementation of the Mexican [[Constitution of 1824]] which enabled freedoms, including the ownership of slaves, that were not included in the 1835 constitution of Mexico, [[Siete Leyes]].<ref name=roberts98>Roberts and Olson (2001), p. 98.</ref> To settle the issue, a convention was called for March 1836.
However, within [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], many struggled with understanding what the ultimate goal of the Revolution was. Some believed that the goal should be total independence from Mexico, while others sought the reimplementation of the [[Mexican Constitution of 1824]] which enabled freedoms, including the ownership of slaves, that were not included in the 1835 constitution of Mexico, [[Siete Leyes]].<ref name=roberts98>Roberts and Olson (2001), p. 98.</ref> To settle the issue, a convention was called for March 1836.


This convention differed from the previous Texas councils of [[Convention of 1832|1832]], [[Convention of 1833|1833]], and the 1835 [[Consultation (Texas)|Consultation]]. Many of the delegates to the 1836 convention were young citizens of the United States, who had only recently arrived in Texas, in violation of Mexico's immigration ban of April 1830, and many of them had fought in battles during the Texas Revolution against Mexico in 1835. The only two known native Texans to sign are Jose Francisco Ruiz and Jose Antonio Navarro.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fru11|title=RUIZ, JOSE FRANCISCO|first=STRONG|last=BERNICE|date=15 June 2010|website=tshaonline.org|access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref> Most of the delegates were members of the [[War Party (Texian)|War Party]] and were adamant that Texas must declare its independence from Mexico.<ref name=roberts142>Roberts and Olson (2001), p. 142.</ref> Forty-one delegates arrived in [[Washington-on-the-Brazos]] on February 28.<ref name="roberts142"/>
This convention differed from the previous Texas councils of [[Convention of 1832|1832]], [[Convention of 1833|1833]], and the 1835 [[Consultation (Texas)|Consultation]]. Many of the delegates to the 1836 convention were young citizens of the United States, who had only recently arrived in Texas, in violation of Mexico's immigration ban of April 1830, and many of them had fought in battles during the Texas Revolution against Mexico in 1835. The only two known native Texans to sign are Jose Francisco Ruiz and Jose Antonio Navarro.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fru11|title=RUIZ, JOSE FRANCISCO|first=STRONG|last=BERNICE|date=15 June 2010|website=tshaonline.org|access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref> Most of the delegates were members of the [[War Party (Texian)|War Party]] and were adamant that Texas must declare its independence from Mexico.<ref name=roberts142>Roberts and Olson (2001), p. 142.</ref> Forty-one delegates arrived in [[Washington-on-the-Brazos]] on February 28.<ref name="roberts142"/>


==Development==
==Development==
[[File:Washington on the Brazos Monument.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Replica of the building at Washington-on-the-Brazos where the Texas Declaration was signed. An inscription reads: "Here a Nation was born."]]
The convention was convened on March 1 with [[Richard Ellis (Texas politician)|Richard Ellis]] as president.<ref name=davis38>Davis (1982), p. 38.</ref> The delegates selected a committee of five to draft a declaration of independence; the committee was led by [[George Childress]] and also included Edward Conrad, James Gaines, [[Bailey Hardeman]], and [[Collin McKinney]]. The committee submitted its draft within a mere 24 hours, leading historians to speculate that Childress had written much of it before he arrived at the Convention.<ref name=roberts144>Roberts and Olson (2001), p. 144.</ref>
The convention was convened on March 1 with [[Richard Ellis (Texas politician)|Richard Ellis]] as president.<ref name=davis38>Davis (1982), p. 38.</ref> The delegates selected a committee of five to draft a declaration of independence; the committee was led by [[George Childress]] and also included Edward Conrad, James Gaines, [[Bailey Hardeman]], and [[Collin McKinney]]. The committee submitted its draft within a mere 24 hours, leading historians to speculate that Childress had written much of it before he arrived at the Convention.<ref name=roberts144>Roberts and Olson (2001), p. 144.</ref>


Latest revision as of 23:20, 2 December 2024

Texas Declaration of Independence
1836 facsimile of the Texas Declaration of Independence
CreatedMarch 2, 1836
LocationEngrossed copy: Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Signatories60 delegates to the Consultation
PurposeTo announce and explain separation from Mexico
Full text
Texas Declaration of Independence at Wikisource

The Texas Declaration of Independence was the formal declaration of independence of the Republic of Texas from Mexico in the Texas Revolution. It was adopted at the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836, and was formally signed the next day after mistakes were noted in the text.

Background

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In October 1835, settlers in Mexican Texas launched the Texas Revolution.

However, within Austin, many struggled with understanding what the ultimate goal of the Revolution was. Some believed that the goal should be total independence from Mexico, while others sought the reimplementation of the Mexican Constitution of 1824 which enabled freedoms, including the ownership of slaves, that were not included in the 1835 constitution of Mexico, Siete Leyes.[1] To settle the issue, a convention was called for March 1836.

This convention differed from the previous Texas councils of 1832, 1833, and the 1835 Consultation. Many of the delegates to the 1836 convention were young citizens of the United States, who had only recently arrived in Texas, in violation of Mexico's immigration ban of April 1830, and many of them had fought in battles during the Texas Revolution against Mexico in 1835. The only two known native Texans to sign are Jose Francisco Ruiz and Jose Antonio Navarro.[2] Most of the delegates were members of the War Party and were adamant that Texas must declare its independence from Mexico.[3] Forty-one delegates arrived in Washington-on-the-Brazos on February 28.[3]

Development

[edit]
Replica of the building at Washington-on-the-Brazos where the Texas Declaration was signed. An inscription reads: "Here a Nation was born."

The convention was convened on March 1 with Richard Ellis as president.[4] The delegates selected a committee of five to draft a declaration of independence; the committee was led by George Childress and also included Edward Conrad, James Gaines, Bailey Hardeman, and Collin McKinney. The committee submitted its draft within a mere 24 hours, leading historians to speculate that Childress had written much of it before he arrived at the Convention.[5]

The declaration was approved on March 2 with no debate. Based primarily on the writings of John Locke and Thomas Jefferson, the declaration proclaimed that the Mexican government "ceased to protect the lives, liberty, and property of the people, from whom its legitimate powers are derived"[6] and complained about "arbitrary acts of oppression and tyranny."[7] Throughout the declaration are numerous references to the United States laws, rights, and customs. Omitted from the declaration was that the author and many of the signatories were citizens of the United States, occupying Texas illegally, and therefore had no legal rights in the governance of Mexico. The declaration clarifies that the men were accustomed to the laws and privileges of the United States, and were unfamiliar with the language, religion, and traditions of the nation that they were rebelling against.

The declaration officially established the Republic of Texas, although it was not officially recognized at that time by any government other than itself. The Mexican Republic still claimed the land and considered the delegates to be invaders, and the United States didn't recognize it since that would be an act of war against Mexico.[dubious – discuss]

Among others, the declaration mentions the following reasons for the separation:

Based upon the United States Declaration of Independence, the Texas Declaration also contains many memorable expressions of American political principles:

  • "the right of trial by jury, that palladium of civil liberty, and only safe guarantee for the life, liberty, and property of the citizen."
  • "our arms ... are essential to our defense, the rightful property of freemen, and formidable only to tyrannical governments."

Signatories

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The New Republic, with the area in yellow under formal control and the green area as claimed territory, over modern borders.

Sixty men signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. Three of them were born in Mexico. Fifty-seven of the sixty moved to Texas from the United States.[8] Ten of them had lived in Texas for more than six years, while one-quarter of them had been in the province for less than a year.[9] This is significant, because it indicates that the majority of signatories had moved to Texas after the Law of April 6, 1830, banning immigration, had taken effect, meaning that the majority were legally citizens of the United States, occupying Texas illegally. Fifty-nine of these men were delegates to the Convention, and one was the Convention Secretary, Herbert S. Kimble, who was not a delegate.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Roberts and Olson (2001), p. 98.
  2. ^ BERNICE, STRONG (June 15, 2010). "RUIZ, JOSE FRANCISCO". tshaonline.org. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Roberts and Olson (2001), p. 142.
  4. ^ Davis (1982), p. 38.
  5. ^ Roberts and Olson (2001), p. 144.
  6. ^ Roberts and Olson (2001), p. 145.
  7. ^ Roberts and Olson (2001), p. 146.
  8. ^ "Texas Declaration of Independence". sonofthesouth.net. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  9. ^ Scott (2000), p. 122.

References

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