A convention of delegates representing 57 Texas communities met in Washington-on-the-Brazos to deliberate the pressing issue of independence from Mexico. This assembly took place amid escalating discontent among Texians regarding Mexican rule, particularly under President Antonio López de Santa Anna's centralist policies, which limited local authority and personal freedoms. The delegates, motivated by earlier grievances and a desire for self-governance, aimed to create a clear declaration that would articulate the reasons for seeking independence.

Key figures at this crucial meeting included Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, and James Fannin, among others, who had differing views on the topic. The debates were intense as delegates negotiated the limits of their authority and the fundamental principles they wished to uphold in an independent Texas. The atmosphere was charged with urgency given the advancing Mexican troops threatening communities across Texas, creating a backdrop of imminent conflict and uncertainty.

Ultimately, this convention resulted in the Texas Declaration of Independence, formally declaring Texas as a separate entity from Mexico. The decision marked a decisive moment, as it not only expressed the collective will of the Texian settlers but also set in motion a series of events that would lead to the Texas Revolution. The fundamental ideals of liberty and self-determination expressed in this declaration echoed throughout the ensuing conflict and laid the groundwork for future governance in the Republic of Texas.