Last time we chatted, Sam Houston and his troops had demolished Santa Anna’s forces at San Jacinto and captured the general — after finding him cowering in the weeds in another soldier’s uniform. Texans could now relax and enjoy their new freedom and celebrate bringing Texas into the embrace of a welcoming United States, right?

Not so quick. Winning a battle and capturing the president of Mexico, a military general, only guaranteed that the Battle of San Jacinto was over. Even when Santa Anna agreed to terms that signaled an independence for the Texans, it was only a document signed, not an accomplished feat. In fact, he would later negate the document, accusing that he had signed it under “duress.” You are allowed to chuckle since history would demonstrate that most surrenders are signed under “duress.”

The years between 1836 and 1845 seemed to drag on as the Texans negotiated their place in history — first as an independent nation (after some serious struggles) and then as the largest state in the union.

So, back to the story…

It was March 1, 1836, and 41 delegates gathered (the number would swell to 59 men later in the day), pondering Texas’s future. Their backgrounds represented the demographics of the new territory. Two had been born in Tejas and one claimed Mexico as the site of his birth. It was a relatively young group; more than 60% were not yet 40. Some had served in political positions in an earlier life, while several were European by birth. Few equaled the experience of Sam Houston, the hero of San Jacinto. He had served in the United States House of Representatives and as Tennessee governor, aided by a long, close friendship with President Andrew Jackson. Houston might have an advantage…

The delegates looked at each other as they charted a course of action. If their goal was independence, then they had to prepare quickly by drafting a constitution, establishing a civilian government, and reorganizing the military forces in preparation for a potential military Round #2 with Mexico.

George Childress, a former Tennessean and descendant of James Robertson, founder of Nashville, stood up on March 1 and presented a resolution calling for independence. He was assigned the role of chairman of a five-member committee that was to draft the resolution, and he gathered his group that evening. As they assembled, Childress greeted them and then pulled a draft resolution from his pocket based on the elements of the colonial Declaration of Independence.

Don’t you just love a leader who is prepared? The next day, March 2, 1836, the resolution was adopted, and 58 members would eventually sign it. The Republic of Texas was born!

The easy task had been completed and now preparations for maintaining independence began. All “able-bodied men” between 17 and 50 were called to military duty and offered land bounties for service. If a current resident refused to serve or left the region, he automatically forfeited all land claims, which would revert to the government. No more land would be granted to new residents until the future of the young nation was secured. And, gracious goodness, they needed money. The convention leaders were authorized to seek a $1 million loan from the United States and offer repayment via land grants.

Now they needed a constitution. One person from each municipality was appointed to a committee to draft a supreme governing document. David Thomas, also originally from Tennessee, emerged as the leader of the constitutional committee and is considered the “Father of the Texas Constitution.” Thomas was the son of a Revolutionary War patriot who had joined his three brothers in fighting for independence. Thomas had studied for the law in his native Wilson County (near Nashville) and then had moved with his family westward to Dyer County, near the Mississippi River. His passion for independence was noted by the delegates, and his ability to draft the necessary document proved so skillful that the convention adopted it at midnight on March 16.

The wheels were moving quickly.

What form did the Texas Constitution take? It was patterned on the U.S. Constitution and provided for a balanced government — i. e., legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The president would be elected to a three-year term but was ineligible to succeed himself. He would serve as the military commander-in-chief but could not lead the troops into battle without the authorization of the Texas House and Senate. Senators would serve three-year terms, with one-third standing for election each year, while House members were elected to one-year terms. Slavery was legalized but foreign slave trade was prohibited. Free blacks would be allowed to enter only with approval of the legislature. A bill of rights was drafted that reflected many of the elements of the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights.

Now the real work would begin.