The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 15, July 1911 - April, 1912 Page: 178
382 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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178 Texas Historical Association Quarterly
his opinion of "the character of the declaration which should be
adopted as a foundation for a provisional government." What his
opinion was is not stated, but it is safe to infer from his inaugural
address that it was conservative.'
By the 6th the majority were evidently becoming impatient.
Williamson was refused permission to read his "plan on which to
found a provisional government," but it was referred to the com-
mittee. Wharton next gained leave only by the casting vote of
the President "to offer some further remarks on his report"; and
after Mr. Royall had read from Vattel in reply to him, Mr.
Mitchell of Washington stopped the discussion by moving the
previous question. The vote was suspended, however, until the
President could explain the question to members who had recently
arrived, and at the close of his remarks Williamson again begged
and obtained leave to read his plan. The voting followed on the
question as phrased by General Houston, "All in favor of a pro-
visional government, upon the principles of the constitution of
1824, will say aye." The result was thirty-three ayes and four-
teen noes. The question was then put in another form, "All in
favor of a declaration of independence will say aye," and upon
this the vote was fifteen ayes and thirty-three noes. Wharton
opposed entering the ayes and noes on the journal, and they were
omitted.2
Having received its instructions, the committee retired to frame
its report. It had before it, as we know, at least four plans,
those of Parker, Austin, Barrett, and Williamson-three peace
party men, and one in favor of the constitution. Of Parker's plan
we have no copy. Austin's advised that a declaration be made
in favor of the constitution of 1824; that a provisional local gov-
ernment be organized, with the statement that Texas was now
separate from Coahuila but that the existing laws of Coahuila
and Texas would as far as possible be provisionally retained until
more deliberate action could be taken; that the faith of the state
be pledged to obtain means for pushing the war "in defence of
the constitution and Federal System"; that land claims of the
'For this day's proceedings see Journals of the Consultation, 16-17.
"For this day's proceedings see Ibid., 18-19.
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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/m1/183/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.