WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1853
445
My friend from Virginia asks me if I have read the work? Sir, I desire to see it in print that I may read it. I do not like to read manuscript. [Laughter.] It ought to be printed, so that I and the Senate and the country may see it. [Mr. Hunter. I will ask the Senator if the book has been written?] The reports have been written. They are waiting the order of the Senate. They have been ready for some time. I insist that the Senator shall not move to lay the resolution on the table. He had better move to postpone it indefinitely. I have no ob- jection to its lying over until to-morrow. [Mr. Hunter. I desire to dispose of the resolution as it is up. We can dispose of it now, as well as tomorrow; and I hope my motion will be a test question.] We may have nothing else to do tomorrow, and it will be a very profitable subject to talk upon. I do not care much about the book. I am as little fond of books as anybody; but I have no doubt that this work will contain a great deal of valuable in- formation. As to the amount of expense, I think that very inconsiderable. I do not think the book ought to be regarded in the light in which some gentlemen seem to look at it. It win be a book of great value. We are to have an interesting and important relation hereafter to the section of country to which it refers; and if it referred to no other subject than the topography of the country, and the condition of the Indians, their numbers, &c., it would be a matter of great importance... If the Senate will postpone the resolution until tomorrow, I will ascertain that fact. If it is' not written, I shall not insist upon the resolution. Unless it has been prepared as an official document in relation to this particular subject, under the instruc- tions given to them by the Department for the prosecution of their work, I shall not insist upon it... I know nothing about the intention which may be had in regard to the publication of this work. I am satisfied from the source from which I have derived by information that it will be a valuable work, and that has induced me to offer this resolution. I am satisfied that it has no object to promote the interest of any bookseller or bookmaker; and· the individual from whom it emanates is as far from doing a thing indirectly as any man in America. It was Mr. Gray, who has been suppressed in the expression of his intelligence, that suggested this; and it was for
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