The Struggle for /11dependence, 1835-1836
Coahuila to become a state of the Mexican Republic, or simply for the restoration of the Constitution of 1824. A second problem facing the delegates was that of providing the means to continue the struggle once the goal was decided. This, in turn, implied the organization of some sort of government to preserve law and order, and to direct the people in the attainment of the end desired. On November 3, 1835, with a quorum present, they proceeded to the formal organization of the Consultation by electing Dr. Branch T. Archer president, and naming as secretary Peter B. Dexter, who was not a delegate. Archer, who apparently had anticipated his election, read a prepared inaugural address, in which he carefully outlined the work before the delegates. As was the case with the people of Texas, the delegates were still undecided. Some advocated out-and-out independence, while others were for separate statehood within the Republic of Mexico. Archer favored a compromise. "I do not view the cause in which we are engaged, as that of freemen fighting alone against military despotism ... I view it in a nobler, more exalted light. I view it as the great work of laying the corner stone of liberty in the great Mexican Republic." His idea, as that of many, was to win the support of the Mexican Federalists, to restore the Constitution of 1824, and to organize Texas as a state separate from Coahuila. A committee of twelve, one from each district represented in the Consultation, was appointed to draw up the declaration of causes, as had been suggested by the president. But the members were unable to agree. The subject was then discussed for three days by the Consultation as a whole. John A. Wharton and his followers advocated an uncom- promising declaration of independence. The conservative delegates felt that the time for such action had not arrived. Before the matter was returned to the Committee, the question of fighting for independence or for the restoration of the Constitution of 1824 was put to a vote. Fifteen voted for and thirty-five voted against absolute independence. On Novem- ber 7 Wharton presented the compromise declaration drawn up by the Committee, which included features from the four plans submitted during the general discussion by James Parker, Don C. Barrett, R. M. Williamson, and Stephen F. Austin. In the attempt to obtain the united support of all parties in and out of Texas, the framers of the declaration allowed the independence party to exercise a greater influence than their number justified. As is always the case, the compromise did
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