69
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1826
pointed out the objectionable items of the claim. Could the object of the friends of the claim be to gain time? If that was their wish, ·why not move at once to lay the bill on the table? There was no need for such an object, to trouble any of the De- partments. But if that was not the object intended, why not let the House take up the subject, and discuss and decide upon it? No advantage could accrue, either to the c!aim, or to the House, from further delay. If the bill was ·to be taken up at this session at all, the sooner the better. Let its friends have a full oppor- tunity to bring all its merits into view, and press them at large upon the consideration of the House. He was aware that the Second Auditor had reported favorably with regard to some items of the claim. Let these be paid. If Massachusetts wants the money, let her have all that has been allowed; a part of the sum will be some benefit; and let her have it: why should the money lie in the Treasury? Did Massachusetts wish it to lie there, that it might give a handle to the demand of the whole balance claimed? If she cannot get her claim altogether, let her have it by piece- meal; but at all events let Congress keep in its hands the whole management of the affair. If the claim must be referred some- where, let it go to a select Committee, but do not send it to a Department, that it may receive imposing features, which did not uaturally belong to it. 3 1 Gales and Seaton, Regist'c1· of Debates of Cong1·ess, III (1826-1827), 532-533. 2 See Houston's speech of March 25, 1826. 3 After Houston's speech several other Representatives spoke on the sub- ject. "The question was then taken, agreeing to Mr. Bartlett's motion, and decided in the affirmative by a large majority." See Gales and Seaton, Registe,· of Debates of Cong·ress, III, 533.
1827 TO ANDREW J ACKSON 1
v\Tashington, January 5, 1827. Two kind favors have come to hand from you, one
before you visited Ala' and one since your return. For each and both of them I thank you. Since the receipt of the last I have not seen Mr Randolph, but will on today, when it will be fit to execute your suggestions. When I have seen him he has always been very polite, and enquiring for you with much interest. I presented you to him, ·which appeared to give him much pleasure.
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