The Convention of 1836 Chapter 11, Section 4

The Convention of 1836 was held at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 1.

The delegates included Sam Houston, Richard Ellis, Robert Potter, and Samuel Carson.

George C. Childress chaired the committee in charge of drafting the document declaring independence.

Lorenzo de Zavala, a Tejano who was politically active and involved in the Texas independence movement, helped write the Constitution of 1836. Lorenzo de Zavala

The Texas declaration listed the complaints the settlers had against Santa Anna’s government.

The vote in favor of the declaration was unanimous.

With the adoption of the declaration, the Republic of Texas was born and Texans today celebrate March 2 as Texas Independence Day.

The delegates used the U. S The delegates used the U.S. constitution as a model and created a government with three branches.

The legislative branch makes the laws, which are carried out by the executive branch.

The Republic’s legislative branch was called the Congress, and the executive branch was headed by the president.

The judicial branch provides a court system.

The Texas constitution also established a republican government in which representatives and executive officials are elected by the people.

The power to create or change the government comes from the people and is called popular sovereignty.

Like the U.S. Constitution, the Texas Constitution contained a Bill of Rights. This is a statement of basic rights that the government can not take away from the individual citizens.

The new constitution also resolved slavery, ensuring slavery as a legal institution.

David G. Burnett was selected as president. The delegates set up a new government, creating an ad interim, or temporary, government of leaders. David G. Burnett was selected as president.

The officers were sworn in on March 17, 1836, at Washington-on-the-Brazos.