11.4 The Convention of 1836

Texas Declares Independence The Convention of 1836 was held at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 1. Many of the 59 delegates had served in the U. S. government. They included: Sam Houston, Richard Ellis, Robert Potter, Martin Parmen, and Samuel Carson. One of the delegates, Lorenzo de Zavala served in the Mexican Congress. The delegates named Richard Ellis the president of the convention. Richard Elllis, President of the Convention of 1836

Texas Declares Independence The delegates voted to declare independence. George C. Childress chaired the committee to write the Declaration of Independence and used the U.S. Declaration of Independence as their guide. The document listed the complaints the settlers had against Santa Anna’s government. It stated that Mexico had denied them many rights guaranteed under the Constitution of 1824 and it declared Texas an independent country. George C. Childress,

Texas Declares Independence The Declaration was presented to the convention on March 2, 1836. The vote in favor of the declaration was unanimous. Many Tejanos opposed the declaration, and some Tejanos left the Texas army after hearing the call for independence. With the adoption of the declaration , Republic of Texas was born. March 2 is celebrated as Texas Independence Day.

The Constitution of 1836 A few days later, delegates learned about the siege of the Alamo. Sam Houston urged those who wanted to go to San Antonio to aid the defenders to stay and create a constitution. The delegates used the U.S. constitution as a model and created a government with three branches. The powers of each branch were limited to those listed in the document. Sam Houston

Washington-on –the-Brazos The Constitution of 1836 The Texas Constitution also established a republican government in which representatives and executive officials are elected by the people. This idea, that the power to create or change the government comes for the people, is called popular sovereignty. Washington-on –the-Brazos

The Constitution of 1836 The new constitution also resolved a controversial issue – slavery The constitution ensured slavery as a legal institution, as well as the importation of slaves. The constitution also required free African-Americans to petition the Texas Congress to stay in Texas.

The Constitution of 1836 The delegates also set up an ad interim or temporary government until elections could be held. David G. Burnet was selected as president and Lorenzo de Zavala was vice-president. The officers were sworn in on March 17, 1836, at Washington-on-the-Brazos. Later that day the fled after hearing the Mexican army was near. The government was constantly on the move due to the approaching Mexican army.