The Texas Declaration of Independence, signed on a cold day, March 2, 1836

The people of Texas, under the rule of the Mexican government and before March 1, 1836, were in a position very similar to that in which the American colonists were before they severed their allegiance to the British crown. The colonies of Texas, up to this time, had recognized the supremacy of Mexican constitutional rule, but even Stephen F. Austin, the colonist most loyal to the Mexican government in Texas, declared in November, 1835, that Texas had "legal and equitable and just grounds to declare independence."  Even when the consultation met at San Felipe in November, 1835, and the first expression of opposition to Mexican rule was openly voiced, a proposition to declare independence was voted down, but a provisional state government was organized and a governor, lieutenant governor and legislative council were elected. The general council was given power to call a convention with plenary powers, and such a convention was called to be held at Old Washington on March 1, 1836.When Santa Anna and the other military chieftains overthrew the federal Constitution of Mexico and dissolved the social compact which existed between Texas and other members of the Mexican Confederacy, the Texans declared that they were no longer morally or politically bound by the compact of union.

On the second day of the convention which gave us us our Texas Declaration of Independence, March 2, 1836, Robert Potter introduced a resolution providing for the appointment of a committee, consisting of one member from each municipality represented, to prepare a Constitution for the Republic of Texas, and this resolution was adopted.

Perhaps we may get a picture of the historical setting and conditions under which the legislators worked. The town of Washington on the Brazos was a typical frontier village with a population numbering about one hundred. There was no printing press, and the accessible library consisted of books brought in by the delegation. The house in which the delegates assembled was wooden and unfurnished. The window coverings were made of cloth instead of glass, and on the day the convention assembled the thermometer stood at thirty-three. "A long table extended from near the front door to near the rear wall, and was equidistant from the side walls. On this table the public documents were laid, and the delegates were seated around it, the presiding officer sitting at the end and the secretary nearest him on his left. There was no bar around this table to prevent intrusion upon their deliberations...Spectators entered the chamber at will, but they walked gently so as not to annoy the delegates." from DEMOCRACY In ACTION by Paine L. Bush

 

The Texas Declaration of Independence, signed MARCH 2, 1836, stated:

"When a government has ceased to protect the lives, liberty, and property of the people, from whom its legitimate powers are derived...

and so far from being a guarantee for their inestimable and inalienable rights, becomes an instrument in the hands of evil rulers for their oppression....

In such a crisis...the inherent and inalienable right of the people to... take their political affairs into their own hands... enjoins it as.... a sacred obligation to their posterity to abolish such government,

and create another in its stead, calculated to rescue them from impending dangers, and to secure their welfare and happiness....

The late changes made in the government by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, who having overturned the constitution of his country...

denies us the right of worshiping the Almighty according to the dictates of our own conscience...

It has demanded us to deliver up our arms, which are essential to our defense, the rightful property of freemen, and formidable only to tyrannical governments...

It has, through its emissaries, incited the merciless savage, with the tomahawk and scalping knife, to massacre the inhabitants of our defenseless frontiers.

It hath...exhibited every characteristic of a...corrupt, and tyrannical government...

We fearlessly and confidently commit the issue to the decision of the Supreme Arbiter of the destinies of nations."

America's God and Counry Encyclopedia of Quotations