MAIN IDEA The Convention of 1836, held while the battles of the Texas Revolution were being fought, declared that Texas was independent of Mexico. The Treaties of Velasco marked the end of the Texas Revolution and the beginning of the Republic of Texas. WHY IT MATTERS NOW The constitution written by the Texas delegates to the Consultation established the basis for Texas government today. 3

TEXAS GAINS INDEPENDENCE As the Texans battled Santa Anna and his troops at the Alamo, another group of Texans met to decide Texas’s fate. Texas had not officially declared independence from Mexico. Delegates met for a second meeting of the Consultation on March 1, 1836, hoping they would be able to make a decision on Texas’s future.

Constitutional Convention of 1836 –Most of the delegates were Anglo Americans, and only 2 Tejanos were also included. –The delegates elected Richard Ellis as their chairperson. A committee was formed to write the declaration of independence. –George Childress headed this committee.

U.S.TEXAS When was the Declaration formally adopted? 1776 Who was the major writer of the Declaration? Thomas Jefferson From what country was this document declaring independence? Great Britain How many signers were there? 56 In what city was this Declaration signed? Philadelphia How long did it take to write this Declaration? One day How many grievances are listed in the Declaration of Independence? 27 Who was the ruler of the country we were declaring independence from? George III This Declaration contains the phrase “life, liberty, and. “ Pursuit of happiness 1836 Washington- on-the-Brazos 3 weeks 13 Santa Anna property George Childress Mexico 59

The declaration Childress drafted was modeled after the U.S. Declaration of Independence, which was written by Thomas Jefferson 60 years earlier. The declaration had 3 main sections: SECTION 1 declared the rights of revolution SECTION 2 listed complaints of losing rights (such as Austin’s arrest, failure to establish public education, and denial of rights) (jury/trial) SECTION 3 proclaimed independence and pledges of support of all who signed the declaration

The Texas Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Consultation on March 2, 1836, by a unanimous vote. March 2 nd is celebrated today as Texas Independence Day.

After creating a declaration of independence, the delegates wrote a constitution for the independent nation of Texas. The new nation was known as the Republic of Texas. Because the outcome of the Texas Revolution was still in doubt, the delegates established an ad interim government until the elections could be held. ad interim - temporary

David Burnet – president of the republic Lorenzo de Zavala – vice president Samuel Carson – secretary of state David Thomas – attorney general Thomas Rusk – secretary of war Robert Potter – secretary of the navy Sam Houston – commander-in-chief Houston left the meeting to assume command of the troops. After the election, the delegates received news about the fall of the Alamo.

LORENZO DE ZAVALA Lorenzo de Zavala was born in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. He helped write Mexico’s constitution and remained a loyal Mexican citizen until Santa Anna became dictator. He then fled to Texas and championed the Texan cause. ERASMO SEGUIN Juan Jose Maria Erasmo Seguin was a successful rancher in Texas who became active in San Antonio politics. He used his political influence to promote the interests of the settlers in Texas. Seguin served as a Texas representative in the Mexican congress and helped write the Constitution of 1824.

The Arrest of Santa Anna Artist William Henry Huddle painted the scene of the morning of April 22, 1836, the day after Texas' victory over Mexico at the Battle of San Jacinto. Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna, in the uniform of a private soldier, was brought before Texas General Sam Houston as a prisoner of war. Houston, wounded in the battle, rested on a pallet under the oak tree while arranging an armistice with Santa Anna. Over thirty other historical figures were depicted in this painting. It has been on display in the first floor south wing of the Capitol since February 1891.

On April 22, Santa Anna was captured and brought to General Houston. –Burnet negotiated with Santa Anna. Santa Anna wrote to the Mexican generals ordering them to retreat. Burnet’s negotiations produced two treaties: Treaties of Velasco ~Santa Anna would never fight against Texas again ~All Mexican troops would withdrawal from Texas. ~The Mexican and Texan prisoners would be exchanged Public Treaty ~Santa Anna promised to work for Mexico’s recognition of Texas’ independence ~Establish the Rio Grande River as a boundary (This would increase the size of Texas.) Secret Treaty

In return for signing these treaties, Santa Anna was to be released without harm. He was not released for some time. Many Texans wanted to execute him in revenge for killing those at the Alamo and Goliad. Santa Anna was finally released by the first elected president of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston.