465
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1854
what honor was due to the civilians, or maritime gentlemen, who interfered in the rescue and salvation of the crew, and to relieve, if possible, the vessel. It is to ascertain what honor, on the part of this Government, would be considered either com- plimentary or remunerative to them. That is one distinct branch of the subject, and I think a very important one; for we have no example of a case so extraoTdinary as this-as to the fidelity of purpose which these mercantile gentlemen lay claim to; they surrounded the wreck and rescued the crew. I believe, therefore, that some honor worthy of,this Government, worthy of humanity, and worthy of the daring gallantry of these men, ought to be rendered to them. Whatever remuneration is necessary to be made for them, or for the survivors, and the heirs of those who perished, is another distinct part of the subject, separated and disconnected from the other entirely. By referring these subjects to different committees they will have an opportunity of making more rapid progress, and the consequence will be, that it will meet with more ready dispatch. They shall thus show the promptitude of this Government on occasion of this kind, in giving expression to its sense of obliga- tion, and how it feels for the generous conduct of those who rescued the ill-fated beings who were found on the wreck. It will show that this Government is never laggard in discharging its duty as the representative of a generous people; for whatever may be the action, no matter how generous and liberal towards those who are to be remunerated for their conduct, or whatever may be the expressions of Congress, I am satisfied that the American people will cheerfully respond to it. Well, sir, believing that it will hasten the objects contemplated in this resolution more rapidly by referring the resolution of the honorable gentle- man from Maryland to the Committee on Naval Affairs, and the other to the Committee on Military Affairs, and that it will not be offering disrespect to either the Navy, or the War De- partments, but will be simplifying matters and presenting them to the Senate more clearly, with less delay, and enable them to ascertain with more despatch, and perhaps with equal justice, in the end, I am in favor of referring the resolution of the gentleman from Maryland to the Committee on Naval Affairs, and the resolution of the Senator from Illinois to the Committee on Military Affairs. These are the views which I entertain. I insist that they are right. I have confidence in the capacit~• and investigating powers and industry of both committees; and
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