WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1830
182
in the War-Office, when the account was settled. I then returned to the Agency, where I found Col. Meigs. Shortly after my return, Gov. McMinn arrived at the Agency. I was ordered to proceed through the nation, visit the different towns, and com- municate to them a talk written by the President, and sent to them; and to invite them to a Council at the Agency. After exe- cuting my instructions, I returned to the Agency, and there found a communication from the War Department, which in- formed me that Sub-Agents' salaries were reduced from $1296 to $500 per annum. Col. Meigs had also been informed that his perquisites had been curtailed, and his income of course reduced. Upon receipt of the information affecting my salary, I instantly resigned. Gov. McMinn and Col. Meigs then applied to me for the purpose of obtaining my services for a greater length of time, and offered to continue my salary at the rate of $1296 per an• num. I remained 20 or 30 days, but was indisposed to remain longer. This fact will place the matter beyond all farther con- troversy, by reference to the vouchers given to Gov. McMinn for my pay, and deposited to his credit in the War-Office. I never had a voucher rejected or returned to me as Sub-Agent in my life. So soon as I had located myself in civil life, Gov. McMinn con- ferred upon me the office of Adjt. General of the State of Ten- nessee, and continued his confidence until his death, with every mark of affectionate friendship. Col. Meigs did also. Now, is it probable that these venerable patriots would have bestowed their confidence and friendship upon a man who had been guilty of embezzling money, when that embezzlement must have taken place within their knowledge? "TeKatoka" charges me with being a defaulter to the Government, when I resigned the office of Sub- Agent. So far from being a defaulter, the Government actually o:wed me more than $270. The Second Auditor sent a claim of sixty odd dollars to the U. S. Attorney of Tennessee, with instruc- tions to bring suit upon it against"me, for advance pay. He was so well satisfied of the justness of my claims upon the Govern- ment, that the suit was never instituted against me; whether upon his representation or not I cannot say; but Mr. Calhoun, the then Secretary of War, admitted my account, and declared a balance in my favor of $270. I never was a defaulter to the Government one moment of my life, not to the amount even of one cent. "The charges concerning Col. Webber and my Indian Father, are very easily met. I had not seen Col. Webber more than once
I
Powered by FlippingBook