WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 184,9
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in connection with his denunciations touching myself, or in a position appropriate to a Senatorial discussion ; and even the wolji.sh association, which you have given to his name will not provoke me to .make him a subject of special comment. The association is truly classic. His interesting relationship to the wolf, whether in wolfish or sheepish clothing, seems to be a discovery of which you can claim all the honor, and which may serve to garnish the pages of your promised history; as in this respect, he may challenge comparason with the twin founders of the Eternal City. But whether, in the approved spirit of historic license, you will be pleased to liken him t_o a Remus, or a Romulus, or a Priapus, I am unfortunately in the dark. My vote on the Oregon Bill, was, as I understand, the cause of your charge against me of "coalescing with the enemies of the South." For that vote I gave my reasons in the Senate; but it so happened, that, for some cause, hereafter to be explained, the publication of my remarks was suppressed. This was the only speech omitted in the published debates of the Senate for that session.-What were the peculiar reasons for this single and somewhat singular omission, will probably hereafter be made known. In that speech the reasons for my vote were fully given and were, to my own mind, and as I believe will be to the minds of my constituents, sufficient and satisfactory to justify my course in relation to that measure. Acting in this belief under a like responsibility with other Senators, I denounced no one, who voted adversely to me. Since this reply to your communication has drawn from me a partial and informal exhibit of my views on some matters which have produced considerable popular excitement, I am compelled, in justice to myself, to make this exhibit somewhat more full and extended. I voted in accordance with the Missouri Compromise. As a Texian I could not consistently have voted otherwise. That Compromise forms a part of the Constitution of the State of Texas, and her Senators and Representatives in Congress must be bound by it, so long as it constitutes a portion of her Organic Law. Upon her citizens, her officers, and agents, in whatever capacity they may be acting, it rests with paramount authority,
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