The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 15, July 1911 - April, 1912 Page: 177
382 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Declaration of Causes
177
luncheon to endure the debate with resignation and withdrew the
resolution. Concerning the discussion during the afternoon, the
manuscript source says only that "Mr. John A. Wharton took the
floor and in a lengthy speech urged the necessity to declare Texas
independent of Mexico," and the printed journal tells us nothing.
An important addition to the journal of this day's proceedings
is afforded by a letter from Gail Borden, Jr., to Stephen F. Aus-
tin.1 Writing on the 5th, Borden said
. . Yesterday, however, the day was principally occupied
in discussion on the resolution offered by Mr. Wharton appoint-
ing a Committee "to make a declaration to the world setting forth
the reasons for which we take up arms etc." Though the discus-
sion was lengthy and animated yet coolness and moderation per-
vaded throughout the debate.
Your opinion as to what you believed should be the course to
pursue was introduced as well as several plans all of which were
referred to the Committee on the subject. Whatever may be the
decision it will be unanimous. My opinion, however, is that a
large majority will declare for the principles of the Constitution
of 1824-Unanimity and good feeling I believe is the order of
the day--and I trust all will go well. . .
Had a conversation with Genl Houstion today. I believe he
has the interest of our country at heart; he made the best speech
yesterday I have ever heard; the whole tenour of it went to har-
monize the feelings of the people and to produce unanimity of
sentiment.
The discussion was resumed on the 5th and consumed the en-
tire day. Mr. Barrett of Mina replied to Wharton in favor of
a declaration for the constitution, and was given leave to submit
in writing further views, which were referred to the committee.
J. W. Robinson of Nacogdoches spoke "at length" in favor of in-
dependence, and J. B. Wood of Liberty for the constitution. Gen-
eral Houston on this day was seized with a desire to close the
debate, as Dr. Everett had been on the 4th, and offered a resolu-
tion that the committee be instructed "to draw a declaration in
favor of the constitution of 1824," but this he withdrew in defer-
ence to the opposition of Mr. Wharton. The day closed with a
speech from the President, who was called from the chair to give1Austin Papers.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 15, July 1911 - April, 1912, periodical, 1912; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101056/m1/182/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.