Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution was signed by 39 delegates, but Texas was not yet a state at the time, so there were no Texan delegates. Texas was still part of Mexico and under Spanish rule. It wasn't until 1836, almost 50 years after the US Constitution was signed, that 59 delegates from across Texas signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, declaring independence from Mexico and drafting a constitution for the new Republic of Texas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of delegates who signed the US Constitution | 39 |
| Number of delegates from Mexican municipalities of Coahuila Texas who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence | 59 |
Explore related products
![The signers of the Texas declaration of independence, by Louis Wiltz Kemp 1944 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61zn3SdtSAL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Texas Declaration of Independence
The Texas Declaration of Independence was a formal declaration that announced Texas' independence from Mexico in the Texas Revolution. The declaration was approved on March 2, 1836, with no debate, and was based primarily on the writings of John Locke and Thomas Jefferson. It proclaimed that the Mexican government had "ceased to protect the lives, liberty, and property of the people" and referenced the United States' laws, rights, and customs.
The declaration was drafted by a committee of five delegates, led by George Childress, and included Edward Conrad, James Gaines, Bailey Hardeman, and Collin McKinney. The committee submitted its draft within 24 hours, leading historians to speculate that Childress had written much of it beforehand. The delegates received regular reports on the ongoing siege of the Alamo by Santa Anna's troops as they worked.
Fifty-nine delegates, each representing one of the settlements in Texas, approved the Texas Declaration of Independence. Among them were 12 lawyers, five physicians, four surveyors, and three planters, empresarios, and merchants. Many of the delegates were young citizens of the United States, who had recently arrived in Texas, and several had fought in battles during the Texas Revolution against Mexico in 1835. The only two known native Texans to sign were Jose Francisco Ruiz and Jose Antonio Navarro.
The Texas Declaration of Independence is a significant document that marked a pivotal moment in the history of Texas, asserting its independence and establishing its own republic. It is based on American political principles and reflects the values and aspirations of its signatories, who sought to create a free and independent nation.
Thomas Paine's Absence: Why He Didn't Sign the Constitution
You may want to see also
Texas delegates' professions
On March 1, 1836, 59 delegates from Mexico, Scotland, England, Ireland, and 12 U.S. states convened in Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas, to declare independence from Mexico, elect an interim government, and write a constitution. The delegates included 12 lawyers, five physicians, four surveyors, and three planters, empresarios, and merchants.
The delegates were from a variety of professions, reflecting the diverse skills and backgrounds needed to establish a new government and constitution. Lawyers were well-represented, underscoring the legal and constitutional nature of the proceedings. Physicians brought expertise in public health and medicine, while surveyors contributed knowledge of the land and territory. Planters, empresarios, and merchants represented business and agricultural interests, respectively.
The 59 delegates included men from 12 U.S. states, with 14 delegates from Tennessee alone. The large number of delegates from Tennessee may have influenced the constitution's incorporation of Jacksonian ideas current in that state at the time. The presence of ministers and priests among the delegates is notable, given the eventual inclusion of a provision declaring them ineligible to hold public office.
The identities and professions of the Texas delegates who signed the Declaration of Independence are well-documented, with celebrations and programs honouring their descendants held annually. The Star Museum has located nearly 9,000 living descendants through genealogy research, and the official register of documented lineal descendants is maintained by the Star of the Republic Museum.
William Davie: A Constitution Signature Mystery
You may want to see also
The US Constitution
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was convened to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, which had established the first national government but failed to empower it adequately. The Articles protected state sovereignty at the expense of the central government, which lacked the authority to raise revenue, conduct diplomacy, or effectively manage western territories.
The delegates debated competing proposals, such as the "New Jersey Plan," which advocated for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for all states. Eventually, a Grand Committee report, known as the Great Compromise, resolved the sharpest disagreements by prescribing a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House and equal state representation in the Senate.
The resulting Constitution expanded the power of the central government while safeguarding the prerogatives of the states. While not all delegates agreed with the final document, some signed it, anticipating vigorous debates within their states. Notably, three delegates, Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, George Mason of Virginia, and Randolph, refused to sign it altogether.
Regarding Texas's role in the US Constitution, it is important to note that Texas became a part of the United States at a later stage. The Texas Revolution, which began in 1835, led to the drafting of the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836 by 59 delegates, including Texans of Mexican descent (Tejanos) and Mexican liberals. The resulting constitution for the Republic of Texas incorporated large sections of the United States Constitution along with Mexican law.
John Blair's Signature: A Founding Father's Mark on History
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Federal Convention of 1787
The convention was convened due to the recognised weaknesses of the central government under the Articles of Confederation. The Articles lacked the power to raise revenue, conduct diplomatic relations, or effectively manage western territories. These issues, along with domestic concerns like the payment of debts from the Revolutionary War, highlighted the need for a stronger central government. James Madison of Virginia, a leading proponent of the convention, had studied historical republics and confederacies and drafted a document titled "Vices of the Political System of the United States," which offered solutions to the weaknesses of the American political system.
The convention was presided over by George Washington of Virginia, a former commanding general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War, and an advocate for a stronger national government. A total of 55 delegates attended the sessions, but only 39 signed the Constitution. The delegates ranged in age from 26 to 81. The convention debated and ratified the Constitution of the United States, which established a federal government with expanded powers while protecting the prerogatives of the states.
It's important to note that Texas did not sign the United States Constitution during the Federal Convention of 1787 as it was not yet a part of the United States. Texas declared its independence from Mexico in 1836, and 59 delegates, including lawyers, physicians, surveyors, and planters, signed the Texas Declaration of Independence.
Who Signed the Constitution? Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer
You may want to see also
The Continental Congress
The Second Continental Congress was responsible for drafting and signing the Declaration of Independence, which was written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted on July 4, 1776. The Declaration of Independence proclaimed the colonies' right to govern themselves and established the United States of America as a new nation. In addition to the Declaration of Independence, the Continental Congress also produced other important documents, including the Articles of Confederation, which served as the first constitution of the United States.
Texas, on the other hand, did not become a state until 1845. Its path to statehood was marked by a series of events, including its declaration of independence from Mexico in 1836. Fifty-nine delegates, including Texans of Mexican descent, signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. However, it is important to note that Texas was not yet a state when the U.S. Constitution was signed, and therefore, no delegates from Texas signed the U.S. Constitution.
Who Signed the Constitution? William Rawle's Signature Explained
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
None. Texas was not a state at the time the US Constitution was signed, and so had no delegates present.
39 delegates signed the US Constitution.
Yes, 59 delegates from across Texas signed the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836.
Yes, three of the 59 men who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence were Hispanic.
