On motion of Mr. Gazley, The report was received ancl unanimously agreed to. On motion of ~[r. Collingsworth, Resol11ed '!'hat }Ir. Willis A. Fari.s be allowed to take a seat at the secret~ry's tnble, to· note and report the proceedings of ·the Convention, and The question being taken thereon, it was decided in the affirma- tive. On motion of Mr. Potter, Resol11ed, That a committee be appointed consisting of one mem- ber from each munieipality represented in the Convention, for the purpose of drafting a Constitution for 'l'exas, and that the same be reported as soon as practicable to this Convention. And the que.stion being taken thereon, it was decided in the affirmative; whereupon the President appointed :Messrs. Parmer, Potter, Stewart, Waller_. Grimes, Coleman, Fisher, Bunton, Gaines, Zavala, Everett, Hardeman, Stepp, Crawford, West, Powers, Na- varro, )IrKinne,·. )[enifee. )fottle,·. and :\[enarcl, said committe~. The committee to whom was assigned the duty of drafting a Declaration of Independence, through their chairman, ·Mr. Chil- dress, made the following REPORT. When a government has ceased to protect the lives, liberty and property of the people, from whom its legitimate powers are de- rived, and for the advancement of whose happiness it was insti- tuted; and so far from being a guarantee for the enjoyment of tho~e inestimable and inalienable rights, becomes an instrument in the hands of evil rulers for their oppression. \Vhen the Fed- eral Hepublican Constitution of their country, which they have sworn to support, no longer has a substantial existence, and the whole nature of their government has been forcibly changed, with- out their consent, from a restrict.ed federative republic, composed of sovereign states, to a consolidated, central, military despotism, in whieh every interest is disregarded but that of the army and priesthood; both the eternal enemies of civj} liberty, the ever ready minions of power, and the usnal instruments of tyrants. When, Jong 11ft<'r the spirit of the constitution is departed, moderation is, at length, so far lost by those in power, that even the semblance of freeclom ii: remoYe<l. 11ml the form,: themi:elves of the constitntion dii:continue,l: nncl .•o far from the'r petition~ and remoni:trances hein:r r<'~imlc,l. the a/.!ent~ who henr them are thrown into chm- georn;: and 1)1rrecn11ry 11rmie~ i:cnt forth to force II new government upon them at the point of the b11:vonet. When, in consequence of rnch net!- of mal-feasance and nbdication, on the part of the gov- ernment a11arch71 prevail.~ and r,ivt'.l society is dissolved intn its origi-
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