Steps Toward Texas Independence Chapter 9

Early Events in the Texas Revolution First conflict between Mexico and Texas occurred at Gonzales- was known as the Lexington of Texas. Texans refused to give a small cannon to the Mexicans.

Results of the Battle at Gonzales After a brief few minutes of fighting and only one Mexican killed, the Mexican troops withdrew and rode toward San Antonio General Cos regarded the fight at Gonzales as the outbreak of war.

On to San Antonio One week after the fighting at Gonzales, a force of 50 Texans attacked and won at Goliad. Stephen F. Austin took command of the Texas Army of 600 volunteers. The Texas Army laid siege to the city of San Antonio and decided to make camp outside of the city hoping General Cos would run out of supplies and surrender.

The Consultation Met on November 3, 1835 at San Felipe Attended by 58 delegates Members of the war party favored an immediate declaration of independence from Mexico, as Texans could no longer live peacefully under Mexican rule.

The Consultation (continued) Members of the peace party disagreed with those of the war party. After voting the Texans declared the following: 1. Loyalty to Mexico 2. Support of the Constitution of 1824 3. Fought only to defend themselves 4. Opposed the rule of Santa Anna

The Provisional Government A Temporary Government Set up by The Consultation Chose members of the war party, Henry Smith as governor and James W. Robinson as lieutenant governor Chose a council with one representative from each municipality, who were from the peace party

Provisional Government (continued) Created a post office Made plans for an army and a navy Sent McKinney to U.S. to raise $100,000 for loans Quarreled with the result of a complete breakdown of the government

Winter of 1835-36 Stephen F. Austin left his command of the Texas Army to plead for aid in the United States. Edward Burleson became commander and involved the Texas troops in the “Grass Fight.” Troops fought the Mexican mule handlers and captured several mules who were not carrying silver to pay Cos’s troops but grass for Cos’s cavalry horses.

The Capture of San Antonio Ben Milam, an old empresario, led the attack saying, “Who will go with old Ben Milam into San Antonio?” Fighting from house to house by Anglos, Tejanos, and African Americans lasted four days.

The Capture of San Antonio (continued) Johnson took over command after Ben Milam was killed. After Cos surrendered, the Texans took refuge in an old abandoned mission— The Alamo

The Convention of 1836 Fifty-nine delegates began to arrive at Washington-on-the- Brazos in late February, 1836. They first wrote the Declaration of Independence from Mexico.

The Convention of 1836 (continued) The Declaration of Independence stated that Santa Anna’s government had violated the liberties guaranteed under the Mexican Constitution. It charged that Texans had been deprived of freedom of religion, the right to trial by jury, the right to bear arms, and the right to petition

The Declaration of Independence The Declaration also stated that Mexico had failed to provide a system of public education. It also noted that the Texans’ protests against these policies were met with force, as the Mexican government had sent a large army to drive Texans out of their homes. It was adopted by unanimous vote.

The Convention’s Adoption of the Constitution of 1836 The Convention also wrote and adopted the Texas Constitution of 1836 which was similar to the Constitution of the United States. The document made provision for three branches of government: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branches.

The Texas Constitution (continued) It contained a Bill of Rights guaranteeing freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, trial by jury, and other basic civil rights. It made slavery legal—free African Americans were not permitted to live in the Republic of Texas—Congress was forbidden to free slaves or to prevent the importation from the U.S.

The Ad Interim Government With Mexican troops in Texas, it was not possible to hold elections to ratify the constitution and vote for the leaders of the new republic. The Convention’s last act was to select officers of a temporary government known as the Ad Interim Government.

Ad Interim Government (continued) The following officers were to serve until regular elections could be held. President: David G. Burnet Vice president: Lorenzo de Zavala Commander in chief of the army: Sam Houston (put in charge of volunteers as well as the regular army)

The Convention of 1836 Adjourns Reports that the Alamo had fallen had been received two days earlier. A messenger also reported that Santa Anna’s army was marching toward Washington-on-the Brazos. President Burnet and his cabinet left for the small town of Harrisburg (part of Houston today). Next they had to flee to Galveston as Santa Anna marched toward Harrisburg.

The War Had Begun The future looked dark for the new Republic of Texas.