Nov 7, 2015: COLONIAL TEXAS HERITAGE DAY PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Colonial Texas Heritage Day has its origins in honoring Stephen F. Austin’s November 3^rd birthday.  San Felipe was the home of Stephen F. Austin, the “Father of Texas,” during all his life in Texas, except the last few months after his home burned, and

WHEREAS, Conventions of 1832 and 1833 and the consultation of 1835 were held at San Felipe as a prelude to the Texas Declaration of Independence, and

WHERE AS, The colonists realized a confrontation with the Mexican Government was inevitable, it was clear to them that lines of communication would have to be kept open with the colonists.  As a result, the Texas Postal System was established in San Felipe in 1835, and San Felipe was the Colonial Capital of Texas and was the Social, Economic, and political hub until 1836, and

WHEREAS, During the Texas Revolution, William B. Travis, a San Felipe Lawyer, and his men, left for the Alamo and whereas, Travis’ immortal message of “Victory or Death” was sent to San Felipe “by Express night & day,” and

 WHEREAS, A company of men led by Moseley Baker, with the San Felipe Flag, handmade by the women of the settlement, defended the river crossing after the town was burned on March 29, 1836 to slow the advance of the Mexican Army, and

WHEREAS, the “ranging” companies that would eventually be known as Texas Rangers began at San Felipe; and whereas, the Texas Declaration of Independence was published by the Telegraph and Texas Register in 1836 in San Felipe and later signed at Washington-on-the-Brazos,

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that all citizens to remember “The Colonial Capital of Texas” at San Felipe and observe with solemn pride November 7, 2015 as

“Colonial Texas Heritage Day.”