Chapter 10, Section 3 Notes Title: The Convention of 1836 Main Idea: The Texans declared their independence and set up their government as Santa Anna’s forces defeated the Texans at the Alamo and in South Texas. Key Terms: petition, executive, legislative, judicial, civil rights, ad interim

I. Santa Anna Crosses Into Texas Despite Governor Smith’s veto, the General Council decided to hold a convention in March 1836. In early February, Santa Anna and his large army crossed the Rio Grande and arrived in San Antonio on the 23rd. The Texans remaining there were forced to stay in the Alamo. Other Texans were headed for the convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos.

II. The Convention Declares Independence 59 delegates met in an unfinished building in freezing weather conditions at Washington-on-the-Brazos starting on March 1st, 1836. While most there were from southern states, only 2 delegates were native Texans: Jose Antonio Navarro Jose Francisco Ruiz The convention elected Richard Ellis as chairman (or person in charge).

II. The Convention Declares Independence George Childress from Tennessee is credited with writing the Texas Declaration of Independence. This document declared the Mexican government deprived Texans of certain rights: Freedom of Religion Trial by jury To bear arms To petition, or request something, from the government D. The Declaration was adopted on March 2nd, 1836 by unanimous vote.

III. The Delegates Write a Constitution The delegates then spent 2 weeks writing the Texas Constitution for a new republic. Both documents (Texas Declaration and Constitution) were modeled after the same documents from the United States.

III. The Delegates Write a Constitution C. The Texas Constitution provided for 3 branches of government: Executive: carries out laws Legislative: makes laws Judicial: courts, interprets laws

III. The Delegates Write a Constitution D. It contained a Bill of Rights, guaranteeing: Freedom of speech Freedom of the press Freedom of religion Trial by jury Basic civil rights E. Unfortunately, slavery was legal and free African Americans were only permitted to live in the republic with congressional permission.

IV. The Ad Interim Government Takes Control The last act of the convention was electing members for an ad interim (a Latin term meaning “for the time between) government. They would serve until regular elections could be held.

IV. The Ad Interim Government Takes Control C. Former empresario, David G. Burnet was elected ad interim president and Sam Houston was elected commander-in-chief of the regular AND volunteer Texas armies.

V. Santa Anna Advances A. As the convention adjourned on March 17th, panic ensued as word reached the delegates that the Alamo had fallen on March 6th and Santa Anna was headed their way!

V. Santa Anna Advances President Burnet moved the government southeast to the small town of Harrisburg, near modern-day Houston. Overall, things were NOT looking good for Texas as Santa Anna was on the move! * Looking ahead: Chapter 11 & 12 – The Alamo, Goliad Massacre, and San Jacinto!