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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTexas Sized Birth Certificate, Decleration of Independence Coming Home for CelebrationTexas -sized birth certificate 1 Houston McGaugh, director of the Star of the Republic Muse- um, holds a replica copy of the Texas Declaration of Indepen- Eagle photo /Butch Ireland dence in a re- created Independence Hall where the document was signed on March 2, 1836. Declaration of Independence coming home for celebration By ETHAN BUTTERFIELD Eagle Staff Writer F or the first time since it was written in 1836, the Texas Decla- ration of Independence will return to Washington -on- the - Brazos this week as part of a celebration com- memorating the 168th anniversary of its creation and Texas' independence from Mexico. The document was drafted at Wash - ington-on- the - Brazos by 59 delegates representing all areas of the massive Texas and was signed on March 2, 1836. The delegates wanted independ- ence from Mexico, which ruled Texas as a territory. The historic document was written INSIDE COVERAGE ■ Painting depicts historic event /A4 ■ Celebration schedule /A5 ■ Come see piece of history /A9 during the siege of the Alamo, which ended March 6 — just four days after the declaration was signed. The fragile six -page, hand - written, double -sided document will be on dis- play inside the Star of the Republic Museum at Washington -on- the - Brazos from Thursday through March 2. Among the scores of people expected to make the trip to see the document this week is Bryan resident Ben Hardeman, whose great- great - uncle, attorney Bailey Hardeman, helped draft the declaration and later was elected Secretary of the Treasury for Texas. "I think it's extremely important not just to Texas history but to the his- tory of the United States," he said. "Texas probably would not have later been annexed into the U.S., and that would have changed the profile of our country. "It likely would not have happened See DECLARE, Page A4 b By Eat I dec sul car Di dis del pa one Ric At ern Ph Da att 1\t wi t Stc Cr by Ch Re m� ov de op Sn W. I Big ge A4 The Bryan - College Station Eagle Sunday, February 22, 2004 Throughout the ages long: Texas' Declaration of Independence comes home •9£6 �u!Ileo by in woo'sexa . oaoe d ai V ZZ "IX 10 L£Z "lxa tTZZ$LS 11 yl 8j M le auiluo algellene ae uol ;eiwojul aow pue suol ;Della ual ;elS y ;nos sallw g ;noge 'GOT sexal uo eloseneN pue wequag uaamlaq hempeq paleool sl a ;IS Ouo ;slH alel$ sozeig- ay ;-uo- uol2ulyseM aa}eay ;lydwy [Dues 3uuis .utlo0-1 (Ai . . Jo sanI }urea - aaTs rRataorstq -area Atha aauapu; s,pua3aaM ;) a• e - i ne treading of the Texas Declaration of Independence," a painting by Charles and Fanny Normann, owned by the Joe Fultz estate of Navasota. mous painting picts events March 2, 1836 e Republic of Texas was Jed at Washington-on-the - >s on March 2, 1836, by sates elected by the people .ir district. ?y met that cool morning in finished building and, with - ebate, unanimously red that the people of do now constitute a free, feign and independent blic." members present signed ecument the next day. painting, by Charles and Normann, is titled: The ng of the Texas Declara- f Independence." It is i by the Joe Fultz estate of 'ota. I painting is reproduced in black and white. At a silhouette key to all fen represented in the )g. 1. Thomas Barnett 2. James G. Swisher 3. William Clark Jr. 4. Sam Houston 5. James Power 6. Edward Conrad 7. Bailey Hardeman 8. Stephen W. Blount 9. David Thomas 10. William B. Scates 11. Robert Potter 12. Edwin Waller 13. Claiborne West 14. James Gaines 15. John Fisher 16. Sydney 0. Pennington 17. William C. Crawford *18. Tram Palmer, sgt. -at -arms 19. Collin McKinney 20. George C. Childress 21. James Collinsworth 22. William Menefee 23. Elijah Stapp *24. John Hizer, doorkeeper 25. Benjamin B. Goodrich 26. Jesse Grimes 40. J.W. Bunton 41. Thomas J. Gazley 42. Robert M. Coleman 43. Charles S. Taylor 44. Francisco Ruiz 45. Thomas Jefferson Rusk 46. Sterling C. Robertson 47. John S. Roberts 48. Charles B. Stewart 49. Lorenzo de Zavala 50. Jesse B. Badgett 51. Jose A. Navarro *52. H.S. Kimble, secretary *These men were present but not as elected delegates and did not sign the Declaration of Independence. 27. John Turner 28. John S.D. Byrom 29. George W. Barnett 30. George W. Smyth 31. Augustine B. Hardin 32. Martin Parmer 33. Michel B. Menard 34. Stephen H. Everitt 35. Albert H. Latimer 36. Edwin 0. LeGrand 37. Mathew Caldwell *38. E. M. Pease, asst. secy. 39. Richard Ellis 53. Junius W. Mottley Obscured from view Robert Hamilton William D. Lacey Asa Brigham Delegates absent March 2 John W. Bower Sam P. Carson Andrew Briscoe Samuel R. Fisher James B. Woods Samuel A. Maverick John W. Moore I /it pa/1111(1g Is reproaucea above in black and white. At right is a silhouette key to all the men represented in the painting. Declare without that single document," said Hardeman, who received his own call to public service in recent years. He's now a Bryan city councilman. Washington -on- the - Brazos State Park will host the annual Texas Independence Day Cele- bration on Saturday and Sun- day. The free two -day event will include viewings of the Declaration of Independence, actors portraying 1850s Texas residents, period craft demon- strations and musical perform- ances. L The museum is a few hun- dred yards from where the document was created and signed at Independence Hall - a small wood -framed structure that had cloth coverings for windows. The original Inde- pendence Hall burned down in the 1860s, but an exact replica was built on its cornerstones in 1969, Star of the Republic Museum director Houston McGaugh said. The document is on loan to the museum from the Texas State Archives in Austin. The document rarely travels but has been out on loan a few times in the last year, McGaugh said. Hard fought While the Alamo standoff was significant, McGaugh said the work done at Indepen- dence Hall gave the rebellion its legitimacy. "They didn't want the appearance that this was just a handful of people having an uprising," he said. "And the way to avoid that is you create a representative government, so the government represents all the people. And the only way you can do that is by cre- 8. Stephen W. Blount 9. David Thomas 10. William B. Scates 11. Robert Potter 12. Edwin Waller 13. Claiborne West ating these documents." There had been previous revolts against the Mexican government during the first third of the 19th century and even previous declarations of independence. But in each case the Mexican army crushed the revolt, and the documents did not stand up, Texas A &M University Profes- sor H.W. Brands said. In February, Brands pub- lished "Lone Star Nation: How a Ragged Army of Volun- teers Won the Battle for Texas Independence — and Changed` America." He said Mexican dictator Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was headed for Washington - on- the - Brazos after he fin- ished the siege of the Alamo. "It was a bold statement, and it was especially bold and even brave given the fact that Santa Anna had this very large army that fairly clearly was about to destroy the gar- rison at the Alamo," Brands said. "And there was very lit- tle that stood between Santa Anna and his army and the group that was declaring independence for Texas." The group of delegates had spies out in the field though, watching for signs of Mexican troops, McGaugh said. "They had scouts out, and they knew that Santa Anna was headed their way," he said. "So they were really hurrying to get this done. You could probably say that with- out the Alamo holding out as long as they did, it would've been difficult for them to get their job done." The drafting of the declara- tion was a big concern for those at the Alamo, McGaugh said. In a letter from Col. William B. Travis, the leader of the Alamo defense, to Jesse Grimes, one of the creators and signers of the historic document, Travis alluded to vitoa urr S3f1SSI 3H1 NO , u. ivmi iai u 21. James Collinsworth 34. Stephen H. Everitt 47.3 22. William Menefee 35. Albert H. Latimer 48. 23. Elijah Stapp 36. Edwin 0. LeGrand 49. 1 *24. John Hizer, doorkeeper 37. Mathew Caldwell 50. J 25. Benjamin B. Goodrich *38. E. M. Pease, asst. secy. 51. J 26. Jesse Grimes 39. Richard Ellis *52. *These men were present but not as elected delegates and did not sign the DE "Everything that happened, from Alamo to San Jacinto, really revolved around what happened at Washington -on- the - Brazos. It was creating this government that gave everything a purpose' HOUSTON MCGAUGH Star of the Republic Museum director just how important he felt the Declaration of Independence was and what danger it could bring to those who signed it. The letter was written on March 3, 1836, the day after the document was signed, though Travis had no knowl- edge of that. Text of the letter was supplied by McGaugh. "Let the convention go and make a declaration of inde- pendence, and we will then understand, and the world will understand, what we are fighting for. If independence is not declared, I shall lay down my arms, and so will the men under my com- mand," Travis wrote. "But under the flag of independ- ence, we are ready to peril our lives a hundred times a day, and to drive away the monster who is fighting us under a blood -red flag, threat- ening to murder all prisoners and make Texas a waste desert." The Alamo fell three days later, and Santa Anna's army marched through Texas, slaughtering more than 300 Texans at the Battle of Goliad on March 27. Many Texans fled east in the Runaway Scrape, away from Santa Anna's approach- ing army, Brands said. "They saw that Santa Anna had killed all the defenders of the Alamo, and he was known to be on record as having said he'd execute any rebels or sympathizers that he found," Brands said. "And so they quite naturally feared for their lives. In many cases they abandoned farms, hous- es and enterprises they had spent years building up." Santa Anna split his forces and sent an advance group of about 700 soldiers ahead of the main body of his army to capture some of the Indepen- dence Hall delegates. The plan backfired when Sam Houston and a band of about 800 Texans routed Santa Anna's force of roughly 1,500 at. the battle of San Jacinto. "And for the first time, it looked as though the Texas Declaration of Independence might actually mean some- thing," Brands said. "Because until then it just looked like a scrap of paper that the Tex- ans weren't going to be able to defend." Houston and his army cap- tured Santa Anna during the battle. The Mexican dictator struck a deal with his captors and ordered the remainder of his army to retreat south of the Rio Grande River. That move was crucial to Texas' independence, Brands said. "The Mexican forces still greatly outnumbered the Tex- ans," he said. "And if the rest of. the Mexican army had con- tinued to fight, the Texans would've had a very hard time winning." Independence at last The victory over Santa Anna at San Jacinto gave Texans the impression they had won their independence. Pride But during the Republic Peri- To ci bet Odd 3NVHS od (11 was t co's c "It State was r edge once refer) when annex of the ans indep n't. A didn't under Twi army nio, b beforE Rio G Mc( event. Decla] "Evi from ti really happen the -Br; creatir gave e The and th ence s sometl banker descen tier, St Bryan, tled th Austin gun pc has be throug said. "It % was da Texas' that pi which try, wa toil. Ai for son of wha 34. Jtepnen H. Everitt 47. John S. Roberts JV 35. Albert H. Latimer 48. Charles B. Stewart 36. Edwin 0. Le Grand 49. Lorenzo de Zavala 37. Mathew Caldwell 50. Jesse B. Badgett *38. E. M. Pease, asst. secy. 51. Jose A. Navarro 39. Richard Ellis *52. H.S. Kimble, secretary but not as elected delegates and did not sign the Declaration of Independence. pened, from Alamo to San d around what happened at razos. It was creating this everything a purpose." HOUSTON MCGAUGH Star of the Republic Museum director the their lives. In many cases ce they abandoned farms, hous- d es and enterprises they had t. spent years building up." Santa Anna split his forces and sent an advance group of about 700 soldiers ahead of the main body of his army to capture some of the Indepen- dence Hall delegates. The plan backfired when Sam Houston and a band of about 800 Texans routed Santa Anna's force of roughly 1,500 at the battle of San Jacinto. "And for the first time, it looked as though the Texas Declaration of Independence might actually mean some- thing," Brands said. "Because until then it just looked 1'k i ea scrap of paper that the Tex- ans weren't going to be able to defend." Houston and his army cap- tured Santa Anna during the battle. The Mexican dictator struck a deal with his captors and ordered the remainder of his army to retreat south of t the Rio Grande River. That A move was crucial to Texas' independence, Brands said. h "The Mexican forces still t greatly outnumbered the Tex- s ans," he said. "And if the rest of the Mexican army had con- w tinued to fight, the Texans T would've had a very hard th time winning." Independence at last o The victory over Santa fo Anna at San Jacinto gave of Texans the impression they had won their independence. But during the Republic Peri- .id I3IY(tf ' ' 3N11HS od (1836 to 1845), Texas still was technically under Mexi co's control, Brands said. "It wasn't until the United States weighed in that Mexi was really forced to acknow edge that it had lost Texas once and for all," he said, referring to December 1845 when the United States annexed Texas. "This period of the Texas Republic — Tex ans considered themselves independent, but Mexico did- n't. And as long as Mexico didn't, then Texas was alway under threat from Mexico." Twice in 1842 the Mexican army re captured San Anto- nio, but held it only briefly before retreating south of the Rio Grande. McGaugh said all the events of 1836 were tied to the Declaration of Independence. "Everything that happened, from the Alamo to San Jacinto, really revolved around what happened at Washington -on- the- Brazos," he said. "It was creating this government that gave everything a purpose." The way Texans declared, and then won, their independ- ence still gives residents something to be proud of, said banker Tim Bryan, who is a descendent of Texas' first set- tler, Stephen F. Austin. Bryan, whose ancestors set - led the city, still has one of ustin's kegs, which held his gun powder. The heirloom as been passed down hrough generations, Bryan aid. "It was hard - fought;. and it as dangerous," he said of exas' independence. "And at province of Mexico, hich became its own coun- y, was paid for in blood and il. Any time you work hard r something, you're prideful what the result is." Pride continues To commemorate the s1Ana )13111 Jonn w. Bower Sam P. Carson Andrew Briscoe Samuel R. Fisher James B. Woods Samuel A. Maverick John W. Moore upcoming anniversary, the Washington -on- the - Brazos State Park Association will host its annual Texas Inde- co pendence Day Celebration. 1- The free, two -day event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The celebration will cover much of the grounds of the park, including the museum, Independence Hall and Bar- rington Living History Farm. Visitors to the working farm can experience what life was s like in the 1850s. Demonstrations of 19th -cen- tury arts and crafts will be conducted, along with free music performances. Park executive director Beth Taylor said the historic re- enactors add depth to the celebration. "It engulfs the visitor into the period," she said. "The visitor really gets to feel and experience hands -on, 1850s Texas." The event is being spon- sored by Tim Bryan's First National Bank and by Exxon Mobil. First National Bank gave $5,000 to help put on the celebration. U.S. Rep. John Carter, R- Round Rock, will give a speech to commemorate the event at 2 p.m. Sunday. A Sam Houston re- enactor also will be on hand, Taylor said. Park and museum officials said they hope to bring the Declaration of Independence back for future celebrations, though they were not sure if that would be possible. "Hopefully we get enough public response that maybe this is something we can do on a regular basis," McGaugh said. "We'll just have to wait and see." ■ Ethan Butterfield's e-mail address is ebutterfield@ theeagle.com. PUZLZ