Texax Times Weekly -- Texas Independence Day: From Tyrant Grip Now Free

Statement

Texax Times Weekly -- Texas Independence Day: From Tyrant Grip Now Free

By: Sen. John Cornyn

Every year on March 2, Texans celebrate a holiday that is entirely and uniquely Texan—Texas Independence Day. The day marks the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence at the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos.

Unlike the deliberations that occur today in the U.S. Congress, the Texas Declaration of Independence was approved swiftly. The committee to draft the declaration was appointed on March 1, and the declaration was presented to the Convention and adopted the next day. Some accounts say that Sam Houston asked for the declaration to be signed on March 2 because it was his birthday. Before March 17, delegates had also written the Constitution of the Republic of Texas and established the ad-interim government of the Republic. Some say one of the real reasons for the Convention's swift action was not just a desire for efficiency, but a lack of adequate lodging.

Prior to hosting the Convention, the town of Washington served as a supply point because of its location next to the Brazos River and proximity to major roads. But it was only home to about 100 residents. To generate growth, local businessmen attracted the Convention of 1836 to Washington by offering a large assembly hall free of charge to the delegates. The hall accommodated the delegates for the Convention, but the town only had one inn at the time, so many delegates could not find lodging.

Even more pressing than the lack of lodging was the hot pursuit by Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his army, who marched toward Washington after the Alamo fell on March 6.

History largely credits George Campbell Childress, a lawyer and native of Tennessee, with authoring the Texas Declaration of Independence. Childress moved to Texas permanently in 1835, settling at Robertson's colony, which had been organized by his uncle, Sterling C. Robertson. Childress and Robertson were elected to represent Milam Municipality at the Convention of 1836. Childress called the Convention to order on March 1 and on the same day was appointed by Convention President Richard Ellis to serve with four other delegates on a committee to draft a declaration of independence.

Childress was named the chairman and it is generally accepted that he wrote most of the declaration without help from the other committee members. Because the first draft of the declaration was submitted the very next day, some reports suggest that Childress came to Washington with a draft already prepared.

The structure of the Texas declaration was similar to the U.S. Declaration of Independence. It listed Texas' grievances against Mexico. It stated that the political connection between Texas and the Mexican nation was officially over, and that Texas was a free and independent republic. It also laid out the functions of the new government. The original declaration, the Unanimous Declaration of Independence by the Delegates of the People of Texas, was signed by 59 delegates and five copies were sent to the towns of Bexar, Goliad, Nacogdoches, Brazoria, and San Felipe. Because there was not a printing press in Washington, the printer at San Felipe was ordered to print 1,000 copies in handbill form. The original copy was sent to the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. It would not make its return to Texas until after June 1896.

Following the signing of the declaration, the delegates proceeded to write the constitution and elect leaders of the ad-interim government. As President, they chose David Gouverneur Burnet, who quickly moved the capital of the new state from Washington to Harrisburg to escape Santa Anna's men. Burnet carried the declaration on horseback in his saddlebags to the new capital.

Weeks later on April 21, 1836, Texans achieved their independence when nearly 900 soldiers of the Texas Army took down the larger Mexican army in a surprise attack at the Battle of San Jacinto.

Today, we pay tribute to Texas' founding fathers and the thousands who took a stand to defend the land and liberties we cherish today. I am proud of our rich history of independence and success. And as our state song says, "God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong, That you may grow in power and worth, Thro'out the ages long."

Source