Columbia's Role in the Discontent

Columbia's Role in the Discontent. . , Under Mexican rule, the municipality of Columbia was a part of the Department of Brazos, State of Coahuila and Texas. In early 1830, the Mexican government imposed a series of new policies in an effort to strengthen Mexico's hold on the colonists and avoid an American take-over. Former Americans living in Texas vigorously protested these policies. As discontent with Mexican rule began to grow, Columbia became the scene of many meetings to express displeasure. A "very large and respectable meeting of the citizens of the jurisdiction of Columbia” was held on June 28, 1835. This movement for public meetings spread throughout Texas with many calling for a consultation of representatives from all municipalities to meet in San Felipe. On December 25, 1835, Josiah Bell presided over a meeting of 600 persons whose "Christmas Day Resolutions” called for a convention in March of 1836 to declare independence and write a new constitution. The Columbia Resolution hastened the events that were to follow.