DECLARATION
OF
THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS IN GENERAL CONVENTION ASSEMBLED.
WHEREAS, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and other :Military Chieftains have, by force of arms, over- thrown the Federal Institutions of Mexico, and dissolved the Social Compact which existed between Texas and other Members of the Mexican Confederacy-Now, the good Peo- ple of Texas, availing themselves of their natural rights, SOLRMNLY DECLARE- ]st. That they have taken up arms in defence of t.heir Rights and Liberties, which were threatened by the encroach- ments of military despots, and in defence of the Republican Principles of the Federal Conf:titution of :Mexico of eighteen hundred and twenty-four. 2d. That Texas is no longer, morally or civilly, bound by the Compact of Union; yet, stimulated by the generosity and sympathy common to a free people, they offer their support and assistance to such of the .Members of the l\lexican Confederacy as will take up arms against military despot- ism. 3d. That they do not acknowledge, that the present au- thorities of the nominal Mexican Republic have the right to govern within the limits of Texas. 4th. That they will not cease to carry on war again.st the said authorities, whilst their troops are within the limits of 'rexas. 5th. That thev hold it to be their right, during the dis- organization of • the Federal System, and the ·reign of despotism, to withdraw from the Union, to estnblish an
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