The Convention of 1836
(a.k.a. “The Best Convention…EVER!)
______Narrator 1: In December of 1835, the council called for a new convention to be held in March of 1836. Texans were hoping that Santa Anna would not move any more troops to Texas until after the convention. They were very disappointed to learn that Santa Anna was marching toward Texas with a large army.
Narrator 2: In early February Santa Anna and his troops crossed the Rio Grande and arrived in San Antonio on February 23rd. The Texans who were still in San Antonio moved into the Alamo. As they were making the Alamo stronger, other Texans were traveling to Washington-on-the-Brazos during the last week of February.
Richard Ellis: Welcome to the Convention of 1836! (Rings cowbell)Gentlemen, we are here today to discuss the growing struggles with the Mexican government. I have one question for you all: Do you want a revolution?
Everyone: Whoop whoop!
Narrator 3: The town of Washington-on-the-Brazos consisted of a few poorly constructed cabins, and tree stumps were still standing in the main street. There was no library, no printing press, and no convention hall.
Narrator 4: The delegates, who were all male, met in the near-freezing weather in an unfinished building. They hung cloth over the open windows to attempt to keep out the cold.
Jose’ Antonio Navarro: I am Jose Antonio Navarro. I’m sorry the town is not in good shape. Apparently they didn’t get the memo that we’re about to make history here. Yep, I bet kids will be learning about us 200 years from now in their history class taught by the best teacher…EVER. I am one of the two native Texans here, and I feel that it is my duty to nominate Richard Ellis as chairman of this convention. All in favor say, “Whoop whoop.”
Everyone: Whoop whoop!
Jose Antonio Navarro: All opposed? (Pause for silence) Good. That settles it. Richard Ellis, you will be our official Chairman of the Convention of 1836.
Richard Ellis: Thank you! Does anyone have any other nominations?
Jose Francisco Ruiz: I do. I am Jose Francisco Ruiz. I am the other native Texan here. I would like to nominate H.S. Kimble to be our secretary. All in favor of Mr. Kimble being our secretary please say, “Whoop whoop.”
Everyone: Whoop whoop!
Jose Francisco Ruiz: All opposed? (silence)
Richard Ellis: Well, Kimble, it looks like you’ll be keeping us on track. Are you up to the job?
H.S. Kimble: Of course. I agree with Jose. I want to be talked about 200 years from now by the best students…EVER. I will gladly take notes and make sure everything is documented.
Narrator 5: The first motion passed was to create a committee to write a declaration of independence from Mexico. It was written by George Childress from Tennessee.
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George Childress: Gentlemen, I believe I have a good thing here. We worked all through the night, but we got it done. We used the United States’ Declaration of Independence from July 4, 1776 to guide us. It may be 60 years old, but we thought it was a solid source. We have stated in the declaration that the government of Santa Anna had violated the liberties guaranteed by the Mexican Constitution of 1824. (Growing angry) I still can’t believe that Santa Anna originally claimed to be a Federalist who supported the Constitution of 1824. He has made a complete 180 and become a Centralist who wants all control of Mexico and completely ignores the Constitution of 1824! That lousy dictator!!
H.S. Kimble: (Rings cowbell) George, please try to stay on track. We are all upset by Santa Anna’s recent actions. He’s bringing down the good name of “Santa.”
George Childress: Sorry. Back to business. We also stated in the declaration that Texans have been deprived of freedom of religion, the right to trial by jury, the right to bear arms, and the right to petition the government. Mexico has even failed to provide a system of public education. How are we going to make history if we don’t have good schools?!
William F. Gray: I like this part of the declaration that says (points to declaration), “The people of Texas, in solemn convention assembled, appealing to a candid world for the necessities of our condition, do hereby resolve and declare that our political connection with the Mexican nation has forever ended; and that the people of Texas do now constitute a free, sovereign, and independent republic.” That pretty much sums it all up. This is the best Declaration of Independence EVER! All in favor of adopting this Declaration of Independence for Texas, please say, “Whoop whoop.”
Everyone: Whoop whoop!
William F. Gray: All opposed? (silence)
Narrator 6: The Texas Declaration of Independence was adopted by unanimous vote of the Convention on March 2, 1836, and the delegates who were present signed the document (All delegates get up to sign Declaration). March 2nd is now celebrated as Texas Independence Day.
Narrator 7: After adopting the Declaration of Independence, the convention began writing a constitution for the new republic. For 2 weeks, the delegates debated and discussed the things to include in the constitution.
Narrator 8: The Texans were anxious to finish the constitution quickly because they knew that Santa Anna and his troops were in Texas, which meant that they could possibly be attacked by the Mexicans. On March 16th, the document was completed and approved.
Delegate 1: The Texas constitution has a Bill of Rights, just like the United States’ Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech.
Delegate 2: Don’t forget about freedom of the press, freedom of religion, trial by jury, and other basic civil rights, which are our guaranteed freedoms.
Delegate 3: Some parts of the Texas constitution are based on the way the Spanish-Mexican court system runs.
Delegate 4: We also wanted to be sure that ministers and priests cannot hold public office.
Delegate 5:We are making a clear separation between church and state.
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Delegate 6: As a council of delegates, we decided to make slavery legal. The government cannot free slaves owned by another man.
Delegate 7: In addition, the government cannot prevent any slave owner from bringing in slaves from the United States.
Delegate 8: Also, free African Americans are not allowed to live in the Republic of Texas without getting special permission from the government.
Narrator 9: With Mexican troops in Texas, it was impossible to hold general elections to approve the constitution and vote for a leader of the new republic. They had to set up a new government. The convention’s final act was to select officers for an ad interim government, which means a temporary government. These officers were to serve until regular elections could be held.
Narrator 10: David Burnet was chosen as the ad interim president.Burnet was an early pioneer in Texas and had worked as an empresario.
David Burnet: It will be an honor to serve as your ad interim president. I know that my time here in Texas will help me make the best decisions for the tough times we face ahead of us.
Narrator 11: Sam Houston was elected as commander in chief of the army—both regular and volunteer armies (hands sign to Sam Houston). They did not want to repeat the mistake of the Consultation which only appointed Houston as leader of the regular army.
Sam Houston: Even though it took awhile to sort things out, I am so glad that I will be in charge of the entire army—regular and volunteer. With my political and military background, I am sure I can whip these men into shape and bring home a victory. This will be the best army EVER!
Narrator 12: They also elected Lorenzo de Zavala as the vice president. He was a native of Yucatan who had served five years as Governor of the State of Mexico. He was regarded as “the most interesting man in Texas” because of his extensive travels and political involvement.
Lorenzo de Zavala: Thank you, gentlemen. I will do my best to serve in our fight against Santa Anna.
Narrator 14: On March 17th, the convention adjourned. Two days earlier, reports had been received that the Alamo had fallen. A messenger arrived on March 17th and reported that Santa Anna’s army was marching toward Washington-on-the-Brazos.
Narrator 15: According to the diary entries of William F. Gray, the convention members “scattered in all directions, with haste and in confusion,” when they heard the news of the advancing Mexican army.
Narrator 16: Panic spread throughout central Texas. President Burnet and his cabinet immediately left Washington-on-the-Brazos and headed southeast. They established a government at Harrisburg, a small town that today is a part of Houston.
Narrator 17: A few weeks later, Santa Anna’s army approached, and the Texas government was forced to flee again to Galveston. The war for independence was underway, but the future of the Republic of Texas did not look so good.
The End