party, but to call on each for whatever official information concerning the commonweal they may have to communicate.

The house then adjourned until tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock.

Wednesday, March 2, 1836

The morning clear and cold, but the cold somewhat moderated.

The Convention met pursuant to adjournment.  Mr. Childers, from the committee, reported a Declaration of Independence, which he read in his place.[12]  It was received by the house, committed to a committee of the whole, reported without amendment, and unanimously adopted, in less than one hour from its first and only reading.  It underwent no discussion, and no attempt was made to amend it.  The only speech made upon it was a somewhat declamatory address in committee of the whole by General Houston.

Assistant clerks were appointed, and, there being no printing press at Washington, various copies of the Declaration were ordered to be made and sent by express to various points and to the United States, for publication; 1,000 copies ordered to be printed at ----- for circulation.  A committee was appointed to procure and attend to the dispatching of expresses.  Additional members attended, three from Nacogdoches, Rusk, Taylor and Roberts; Brigham from Columbia; Menard from Liberty.

A motion was made by Mr. Scates that the members of the Convention should arm themselves and wear their arms during the sessions of the Convention.  It was scouted and withdrawn.

A committee of one member from each municipality was appointed to draft a Constitution.  They subdivided themselves into three committees, on the executive, legislative and judicial branches; Zavala chairman on the executive.

A copy of the Declaration having been made in a fair hand, an attempt was made to read it, preparatory to signing, but it was found so full of errors that it was recommitted to the committee that reported it for correction and engrossment.

An express was this evening received from Col. Travis, stating that on the 25th a demonstration was made on the Alamo by a party of Mexicans of about 300, who, under cover of some old houses, approached to within eighty yards of the fort, while a cannonade was kept up from the city.  They were beaten off with some loss, and amidst the engagement some Texean soldiers set fire to and destroyed the old houses.  Only three Texeans were wounded, none killed.  Col. Fannin was on the march from Goliad with 350 men for the aid of Travis.[13]  This, with the other forces known to be on the way, will by this time make the number in the fort some six or seven hundred.  It is believed the Alamo is safe.