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political ties, and to preserve unimpaired in purity and vigor those blessings of free government and its necessary obligations, the security of the persons and property of its citizens from violence and outrage, which they have ever been taught to cherish and venerate as being the first and principal great object of the social compact; and believing that in all communities of freemen unrestrained discussion is indispensable as a safeguard against war and abuse, and animated by an unqualified spirit of amity towards their fellow-citizens, propose to discuss the following proposition, to wit:- "Shall the next Convention make a Declaration of Independence, and form a Republican Government for Texas." This committee, after much reflection, and after viewing this momentous subject, in all the business their minds have been susceptible of examing it, cannot but take the affirmative of the proposition. - And in discussing it before the people of Texas, they feel particular pleasure in their knowledge of the fact, that they are addressing themselves to the unbiased intelligence of a high minded, patriotic, and enlightened community. And in an appeal to such a community, and question touching their every interest, if self respect did not forbid respect for those whom they address would deter them from resorting to declamation, passion, or approbrious language. They would these as mere empty sounds, striking in vain upon the ear of so grave and dispassionate a people. They are duly sensible that facts and reason are all that aught or will be listened to. And these calm, temperate, and self passed - that such a community will exact the respect of an address to their understandings. This proposition naturally divided itself into two parts. First, has Texas the moral and political right to declare herself independent of the Mexican Government. On this first part of the proposition, the reasons assigned in the declaration of the late Convention, appear to this committee, conclusive. To wit, That as Santa Ana, etc. had by force of arms, overthrown the federal institutions of Mexico, and dissolved the social compact which exists between Texas and the other members of the Mexican Confederacy, Texas was no longer morally or civily bound by the compact of Union. This correct and sensible declaration of the late Convention, is an elemental part of national law, and is broadly recognized and enforced by the standard writers on that law. It was the foundation of the English revolution of 1688, which banished the Stewart family from the throne. And the
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