As I write this, it is a cold wet dreary March morning in Texas as it was in 1836. My thoughts turn to what was happening 174 years ago in Coahuila y Tejas. Delegates to the Convention of 1836 were arriving at Washington, not yet named Washington-on-the Brazos. Tomorrow the delegates would elect Richard Ellis president of the convention and Texas would declare its independence from Mexico. Colonel Travis and the other defenders of the Alamo are wondering if any help is coming. Travis writes a letter to the Convention on March 3rd asking for the convention to let him know if independence has been declared. If independence is not declared then they will abandon the Alamo, however if independence is declared they "will die a hundred deaths against a blood-red flag." The blood-red flag was a red flag with a skull and cross bones that Santa Anna had flown from the spire of the Church of San Fernando that indicated no mercy would be given to the Texans at the Alamo. You can view scans of the original hand written Texas Declaration of Independence and a broadside version of it and other historic Texas documents at the Texas State Library & Archives Commission website at: http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/treasures/republic/declare-01.html
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