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WRITINGS OF S01 HOUSTON, 1826
when they could receive it either by the voluntary act of the Executive, or, when this House should deem it proper, without reference to any particular state of affairs, to call on the Execu- tive for it. There was, Mr. H. said, something peculiar connected with the history of this resolution. It was introduced at a time when it was thought the information was desirable to some gentlemen, but owing to peculiar circumstances, or to suggestions made to· the mover of it, it was thought inexpedient at that time to urge it on. Affairs, since then, had assumed a different aspect. One of the co-ordinate departments of this Government, they were told, and he trusted he did not violate any rules of this House in saying so, had acted, as far as they had power to act, with reference to this subject. Another department of the Govern- ment, they were informed ► had not acted upon it. When the co- ordinate departments should have acted, and presented the sub- ject to this House, then, he thought, would be the proper time to call for this information. It seemed to be presumed that,_ when it came before them in proper shape and character, they would have to pass upon an appropriation for this object; and if such should be the, fact, they would acquire all the information which it was proper for the Executive to submit. They would require all the information connected with this subject; for, as it was to form a new crisis in the politics of this country, it would be proper, certainly, to have all the premises before them, that they might act understandingly on it. Mr. H. said he would, in such a contingency, urge to have all the infor- mation laid before them; but he could not perceive, from the attitude which the subject at present assumed, that any infor- mation was necessary at this particu!ar time, for this House, more than it was at the commencement of the present session. If it was necessary now, why was it not necessary at the com- mencement of the session? He could not see.that the passage of this resolution was necessary now, unless this House was to be. called upon to express an opinion on a subject not officially or properly before it. Desirable as this information was, Mr. H. said, they had the privilege of conjecturing what it might be. He had no rays of light on .this subject but such as were disseminated to all the members of the House. The arguments of some of the gentle- men appeared to him to be hypothetically urged, pr~senting the subject in such an enlarged view as indicated a superior knowledge
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