Debates of the Convention, 1845
| Debates of the Texas Convention. Wm. F. Weeks, Reporter; published by authority of the convention. Houston: Published by J.W.Cruger, 1846. |
Table of Contents
July 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 28 29 30 31
August 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 26 27 28
Important: the text of the debates is in PDF format and requires Acrobat Reader.
| TOP^ | |
| TOP^ | |
| July 4, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Credentials of delegates | |
| Election of president | |
| President's address | |
| Election of secretary | |
| Letter from president of Republic of Texas | |
| Ordinance and joint resolution concerning annexation of Texas to US | |
| Adoption of ordinance | |
| July 5, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Ordinance concerning US troops in Texas | |
| Elections for convention officers | |
| Formation of committees | |
| July 7, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Committee assignments | |
| Report by committee on privileges and elections concerning delegates | |
| Resolution concerning introduction of US troops into Texas | |
| July 8, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Resolution concerning drafting of bill of rights | |
| Resolution concerning committee on education | |
| Resolutions concerning gratitude of convention to Pres. Tyler | |
| TOP^ | |
| Resolution concerning organization of militia | |
| Matters in connection with convention rules | |
| Matters in connection with printing of rules | |
| July 10, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Committee of education members | |
| Resolution concerning granting of property to US | |
| July 11, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Report concerning bill of rights and general provisions | |
| Report concerning executive department and militia | |
| Matters concerning support of education through revenues | |
| Resolution concerning land titles | |
| Communication from Charles Wickliffe concerning annexation | |
| Matters concerning credentials of delegates and Bowie County | |
| July 12, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Matters concerning land grants to US | |
| Matters concerning credentials of delegates | |
| Report concerning judiciary | |
| Resolution concerning colonization contracts | |
| Resolution concerning number of legislators | |
| Matters concerning delegates from Bowie County | |
| Resolution concerning education financing | |
| Matters concerning adjudication of land titles | |
| Matters concerning jurisdiction of courts | |
| Discussions concerning relation of US and Texas judiciary | |
| Discussions concerning Texas and US constitutions and the judiciary | |
| Discussion concerning adjudication of land titles | |
| Resolution concerning wife's property | |
| July 14, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Resolution concerning number of legislators | |
| Resolution concerning wife's property | |
| Resolution concerning appointment of officers in judicial districts | |
| Report concerning legislative department | |
| Appointment of committee to consider taxation | |
| Matters concerning colonization contracts, land titles, and land office | |
| July 15, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Matters concerning credential of delegates | |
| Address by individual claiming seat | |
| Discussion of claimant's right to seat | |
| Debate concerning forfeited land titles and judiciary | |
| Matters concerning preamble | |
| Discussion of amendments to bill of rights | |
| Discussion of freedom of press, libel and slander | |
| Discussion of private vs. public citizens | |
| Debate concerning requirement that indictments be brought before grand juries | |
| Resolution concerning taxation | |
| Resolution concerning trial by jury for libel | |
| Debate concerning freedom of press, libel and slander | |
| July 16, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Report by committee on education | |
| Resolution concerning taxation and expenses | |
| Resolution concerning amendments to constitution | |
| Resolution concerning legal remedy for collection of debts | |
| Matters in connection with Spanish versions of ordinances | |
| Matters in connection with amendments to bill of rights | |
| Resolution concerning indictments for libel | |
| Continued debate on freedom of the press | |
| Discussion of double jeopardy provision | |
| Discussion of prosecution of public officers | |
| Continued discussion of freedom of the press | |
| Resolution concerning bail provision | |
| Discussions concerning taking of properties | |
| Resolutions concerning equal rights of individuals | |
| Discussions of provisions concerning imprisonment for debt | |
| Resolution concerning necessity of indictments on criminal charges | |
| July 17, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Resolution concerning consistency of laws of Texas and US | |
| Resolution concerning legislative representative apportionment | |
| Communication from individual protesting invitation to US troops to enter Texas | |
| Resolution concerning citizens qualified to vote for representatives | |
| Discussion of term of office of governor and other state officials | |
| Debate concerning requirement that governor be native-born | |
| Discussion of salary of governor and other public officials | |
| July 18, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Resolutions concerning land titles | |
| Discussion of seat of government or alternate locations | |
| Resolution concerning reports of governor to legislature | |
| Discussion of ability of governor to grant pardons and rules applicable to same | |
| Resolutions concerning lieutenant governor | |
| Debate concerning appointment or election of secretary of state and other public officials | |
| Discussion of seal of state and character of office of secretary of state | |
| July 19, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Matters concerning apportionment of representatives | |
| Resolutions concerning forced sales and legal remedies for collection of debt | |
| Appointment of additional delegates | |
| Resolution concerning division of counties for election of first representatives | |
| Matters in connection with establishment of land offices | |
| Resolution concerning private and general bills | |
| Lengthy discussion of governor's veto power | |
| Resolutions concerning militia and conscientious objectors | |
| July 21, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Chaplain's address | |
| Resolutions amending provisions on legislature | |
| Resolutions concerning role and responsibilities of lieutenant governor | |
| Discussions concerning lieutenant governor's service as president of senate | |
| Resolutions concerning legislature provisions | |
| Discussion of taxation of Indians | |
| Discussion of deletion of word 'white' in qualifications of citizenry | |
| Proposal concerning age of electors | |
| Resolution concerning soldiers' ability to vote | |
| Discussion of adoption/acceptance of constitution by US | |
| Various resolutions concerning legislative provisions | |
| Discussion concerning clergy members' ability to serve in legislature | |
| July 22, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Resolution concerning printing of journals | |
| Continued debate concerning ability of clergy to serve as members of legislature | |
| July 23, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Resolution requiring public officials to believe in God and future state of rewards and punishments | |
| Discussion of basis of representation and calculation of representatives - consideration of slaves, wives and children | |
| Discussion of requirement that electors pay taxes | |
| Various resolutions concerning legislative provisions | |
| Discussions concerning seat of government | |
| Resolutions concerning various legislative provisions | |
| Discussion of provision requiring public officials to believe in God | |
| Continued debate concerning basis of representation, requirement of property ownership, slaves, women, and children | |
| Statement concerning institution of slavery | |
| July 24, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Matters concerning representatives from Montgomery County and basis of representation | |
| Continued discussion of basis on which representatives are apportioned | |
| Debate entry concerning immigration | |
| Continued discussion of basis of representation and participation of women | |
| Continued discussion of basis of representation | |
| Discussion of relationship between representation and taxation | |
| Discussion of relationship between suffrage and representation | |
| July 25, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Resolution concerning creation of chancery courts | |
| Resolution concerning apportionment of representatives pending census | |
| Continued debate concerning basis of representation as it relates to slavery | |
| Debate entry concerning basis of representation as it relates to Mexican population | |
| Continued debate concerning basis of representation as it relates to slavery | |
| Resolutions concerning representation, terms of representatives, and elections | |
| Discussions of chancery courts | |
| Discussions of right of appeal in criminal cases | |
| July 26,1845 | TOP^ |
| Chaplain's address | |
| Matters in connection with particular colonization contract | |
| Matters concerning election of judges | |
| Debate concerning terms and appointments of judges | |
| July 28, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Various amendments to bill of rights and general provisions | |
| Matters concerning rules of convention | |
| Matters in connection with judiciary article | |
| Debate concerning jurisdiction of district courts | |
| Debate concerning right to trial by jury | |
| Continued debate concerning right to trial by jury | |
| Introduction of draft general provisions article | |
| Introduction of draft impeachment article | |
| Introduction of draft schedule article | |
| July 29, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Chaplain's address | |
| Introduction of draft slavery article | |
| Amendments to judiciary article | |
| Debate concerning jurisdiction and habeas corpus | |
| Proposed amendment concerning judicial districts | |
| Debate concerning salaries of judges | |
| Report concerning Texas land titles and adjudication of same in US courts | |
| Report concerning adjudication of land titles and investment of proceeds of forfeiture in education | |
| Matters concerning salaries of judges | |
| Matters concerning judicial districts | |
| Proposed amendment concerning judicial districts | |
| Matters in connection with removal of judges | |
| Additional amendments to judiciary article | |
| July 30, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Various amendments to bill of rights and general provisions | |
| Discussion of imprisonment for debt | |
| Discussion of provision on emigration | |
| Discussion of right of assembly provision | |
| Discussion concerning right of legislature to suspend laws | |
| Matters concerning conscientious objection | |
| Matters concerning right to bear arms | |
| July 31, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Various amendments to executive article | |
| Discussion of period of residency required for public officials | |
| Continued discussion of various amendments to executive article | |
| Discussion of status of conscientious objectors | |
| Matters concerning obligations of ministers of the clergy | |
| Aug 1, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Protest concerning manner of election of governor | |
| Matters concerning obligations of ministers of the gospel | |
| Debate concerning citizenship and residency required for public officials | |
| Discussion concerning eligibility of delegates to serve as public officials | |
| Various matters concerning general provisions article | |
| Discussion of inclusion of provision on dueling | |
| Debate concerning voting by ballot or viva voce | |
| Matters concerning compensation to public officials, agents and contractors | |
| Aug 2, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Continued discussion of general provisions article | |
| Proposal concerning private laws and relief | |
| Discussion concerning banking institutions | |
| Continued discussion of general provisions | |
| Matters concerning establishment of penitentiary | |
| Continued discussion of penitentiary and county public schools | |
| Aug 4, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Proposal concerning section of general provisions | |
| Discussion concerning land or head rights | |
| Matters concerning public schools | |
| Discussion concerning jurisdiction of courts and venue | |
| Debate concerning arbitration | |
| Discussion of legal profession | |
| Continued discussion on provisions concerning arbitration | |
| Proposal concerning legal remedy for collection of debts | |
| Proposal concerning revision and publication of laws | |
| Proposals concerning marriage and divorce | |
| Discussion concerning families of slaves | |
| Proposal of additional sections on subject of slavery | |
| Discussions concerning land titles | |
| Further discussion of forfeited land titles | |
| Discussion of colonization contracts and forfeiture of land | |
| Discussions of relationship between laws of US and laws of Texas and rights to land | |
| Further statements concerning colonization contracts | |
| Further discussions of relationship between US and Texas laws and distinction between things executed and executory | |
| Continued discussion of Texas laws in relation to US laws | |
| Aug 5, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Report on expenses of land office | |
| Matters concerning land districts | |
| Dissent from report on land office and land titles | |
| Motions concerning general provisions | |
| Resolution concerning land system | |
| Discussion concerning citizenry of individuals evading participation in 1836 revolution | |
| Continued discussion concerning relations between Texas, US, and Mexico | |
| Continued discussion concerning possible forfeiture of lands | |
| Communication from land office | |
| Statement concerning physical extent of Texas and scrip issued | |
| Continued discussion concerning forfeiture of land titles | |
| Resolution concerning sale of homestead | |
| Continued discussion concerning homestead rights | |
| Aug 6, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Discussion of taxation section of general provisions | |
| Continued discussion of taxation provision, specifically in relation to slave holding | |
| Discussion of systems and basis of taxation | |
| Protest concerning ad valorem taxation | |
| Resolution concerning exemptions from taxation | |
| Continued discussion of general provisions' taxation section | |
| Discussion of ad valorem system of taxation | |
| Resolution concerning liquor sales | |
| Resolution concerning establishment of state bank | |
| Continued discussion concerning banking privileges | |
| Aug 7, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Protest concerning homestead exemption | |
| Resolution concerning publication of proceedings | |
| Resolution concerning exemption from taxation | |
| Resolutions concerning private corporations | |
| Resolutions concerning banking privileges | |
| Continued discussion concerning banking privileges | |
| Resolution concerning compensation of public servants | |
| Resolutions concerning scrip, money and promissory notes | |
| Aug 8, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Report concerning status of slaves | |
| Report concerning issuance of money | |
| Resolution concerning borrowing by state | |
| Resolution concerning establishment of new counties | |
| Debate concerning jurisdiction of state | |
| Report concerning status of individuals refusing to participate in revolution and status of their land titles | |
| Report concerning legal effect of marriages | |
| Report concerning chancery courts | |
| Resolutions concerning mode of amending the Constitution | |
| Resolution concerning quartering of soldiers | |
| Various amendments to general provisions | |
| Matters concerning status of slaves and Art VIII trials of slaves | |
| Matters concerning land offices | |
| Aug 9,1845 | TOP^ |
| Resolution concerning commercial & agricultural bank | |
| Vote on forfeitures | |
| Vote on report on marriages | |
| Motion concerning compensation of public servants | |
| Motion concerning status of citizens of other states | |
| Various amendments to judiciary article | |
| Aug 11, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Resolution concerning property exempt from taxation | |
| Various amendments go judiciary article | |
| Matters concerning jurisdiction of appellate courts | |
| Matters concerning compensation of judges | |
| Report concerning status of slaves in certain geographic areas | |
| Various amendments of judiciary article | |
| Debate concerning definition of electors | |
| Matters concerning status of Indians | |
| Continued debate concerning definition of electors | |
| Aug 12, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Report of judiciary committee concerning property of parties in marriage | |
| Minority report concerning separate property of wives | |
| Report concerning pre-existing claims against the State | |
| Resolution concerning congressional districts | |
| Discussion of basis and ratio of representation | |
| Discussion concerning eligibility for citizenship | |
| Discussion concerning frequency of legislative sessions | |
| Continued discussion of frequency of legislative sessions | |
| Amendment concerning term of legislators | |
| Proposal concerning length of regular legislative sessions | |
| Report concerning new states within territory of Texas | |
| Report concerning printing of ordinance and Santa Fe territory | |
| Report concerning census and apportionment of representatives | |
| Discussion concerning eligibility of representatives for office | |
| Aug 13, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Report concerning senatorial districts | |
| Debate concerning apportionment of senators | |
| Continued discussion concerning basis of representation in senate, specifically in relation to slavery | |
| Continued discussion of senatorial representation | |
| Debate concerning basis of representation and disparity among eastern and western counties | |
| Aug 14, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Proposal for senatorial apportionment | |
| Report concerning definition of qualified electors and entitlements to citizenship | |
| Proposals concerning election precincts | |
| Discussions concerning apportionment of representation | |
| Discussions concerning eligibility of legislators for offices | |
| Proposals concerning seat of government | |
| Amendment concerning houstead exemption from taxation | |
| Proposal concerning term of senators | |
| Aug 15, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Protest concerning number of representatives assigned to western counties | |
| Statement concerning eligibility of ministers for legislative position | |
| Report concerning division of Texas into 2 US congressional districts | |
| Resolution concerning transfer of government from republic to state | |
| Continued debate concerning eligibility for citizenship and as electors | |
| Continued discussion of definition of qualified electors | |
| Aug 16, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Debate concerning transfer of government and establishment of provisional government | |
| Continued debate concerning qualifications of electors and eligibility for citizenship | |
| Continued debate concerning qualification of electors, especially in relation to US naturalization laws | |
| Amendment concerning claims against Republic | |
| Discussion concerning community property and rights of wife | |
| Continued discussion concerning separate and community property | |
| Aug 18, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Resolution concerning compensation payable to delegates | |
| Proposal of concerning appointment of treasurer and tax collectors | |
| Discussion concerning colonization contracts and land titles | |
| Continued debate concerning possible forfeiture of rights granted under colonization contracts | |
| Continued debate concerning suspension of colonization contracts and consistency with US laws | |
| Continued debate concerning constitutionality of colonization contracts | |
| Discussion of colonization contracts and Sam Houston's relationship to same | |
| Continued debate of validity of colonization contracts and relationship to individual r ights | |
| Aug 19, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Protest concerning entitlement of individuals to citizenship | |
| Report concerning separate property of wife | |
| Communication concerning distribution of powers of government | |
| Statement concerning habeas corpus | |
| Resolution concerning public debt | |
| Proposal concerning distribution of powers of government | |
| Adoption of bill of rights | |
| Resolution concerning notaries public | |
| Report concerning transfer of government from republic to state | |
| Proposed ordinance concerning referendum on annexation | |
| Proposals concerning separate property of wife | |
| Continued debate concerning validity of colonization contracts and rights to land | |
| Aug 20, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Report and discussion concerning preamble | |
| Various matters concerning legislative article | |
| Discussion concerning validity of land grants | |
| Continued discussion concerning possible rescission of colonization contracts | |
| Statement concerning States rights in relation to colonization contracts | |
| Aug 21, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Proposals concerning colonization contracts | |
| Discussion concerning appointment of tax collectors | |
| Report concerning head rights claims to land by fictitious persons | |
| Continued discussion concerning validity of land claims | |
| Motion concerning salaries of judges and governor | |
| Continued discussion of appointment of tax collectors | |
| Aug 22, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Matters concerning colonization contracts | |
| Statement concerning Commodore Moore | |
| Resolution concerning printing of constitution in Castilian | |
| Proposals concerning legal proceedings against colony contractors | |
| Proposal concerning State land offices | |
| Continued discussion of validity of colonization contracts | |
| Discussions concerning education article | |
| Aug 23, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Report and ordinance concerning colonization contracts | |
| Continued discussion of provisions on education and support of same by forfeited lands | |
| Aug 25, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Proposal concerning salaries of governor and judges | |
| Matters concerning separate property of wife | |
| Continued discussion of colonization contracts and land granted by governments of Mexico and Spain | |
| Amendment concerning banking privileges | |
| Proposal concerning colonization agencies | |
| Proposal concerning laws repugnant to those of US | |
| Proposal concerning monies due Republic of Texas for political offences | |
| Proposal concerning vote of people on Constitution | |
| Matters concerning Sam Houston | |
| Continued discussion regarding people's vote on annexation | |
| Various amendments to schedule provisions | |
| Matters concerning ceding of public buildings to US | |
| Aug 26, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Matters concerning captain Moore | |
| Matters concerning compensation to offices of convention | |
| Discussion concerning duties of offices during change in government | |
| Continued discussion concerning transition of government | |
| Proposal concerning incapacity of President of Republic | |
| Proposal concerning collection of import fees | |
| Proposal concerning election of officials and representatives | |
| Matters concerning fraudulent land claims | |
| Proposal concerning validity of land grants | |
| Passage of education report | |
| Proposal to provisions on validity of land grants | |
| Resolution concerning compensation of reporter | |
| Resolution concerning printing of convention records | |
| Resolution concerning creation of new states | |
| Proposal concerning validity of state actions | |
| Various amendments to schedule provisions | |
| Proposal concerning people's vote on annexation | |
| Aug 27, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Protest concerning provisions dealing with transition of government | |
| Matters concerning ordinance relating to colonization contracts | |
| Report concerning land titles | |
| Discussion of application of vacant lands to payment of public debt | |
| Matters concerning adjournment of convention - payment of contractors, printing of records, etc. | |
| Aug 28, 1845 | TOP^ |
| Statement concerning land titles report | |
| Other matters concerning conclusion of convention | |
| Final address from President of Convention |