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WRITINGS OF 5AM: HOUSTON, 1854
I hope they will harmonize in their acts. In my humble opinion, this matter, to some extent, concerns the public honor. JCongressional Globe, 1st Sess., 33d Cong., 1853-1854, p. 175. On December 22, 1853, the steamship San Francisco, the property of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, sailed for California by way of Cape Horn. The $hip had been chartered by the United States War Department to convey troops and military stores to California. In addition to three regiments of artillery and the ship's crew, there were several passengers, among whom were some women and children. In all there were about 800 persons aboard the ship. On the night of December 23, the ship met a violent storm and became unmanageable. By the morning of December 24 the vessel was partially wrecked and about 200 persons were lost. On December 27, the American ba1·k Kilby attempted to give aid, but was itself so badly damaged by .the storm that it could do nothing. By December 31, the Three Bells, a British ship from Glasgow, although itself damaged and leaking badly, sighted the San Francisco, and in spite_of its own condition, lay by the wreck during several days of storm, trying to encourage those on board the San F1w1cisco not to give up hope. For nearly two weeks the shattered San F1·ancisco drifted, but the Three Bells did not desert her, and was finally able, with the help of another American vessel, the A nta1·ctic, to save nearly half of the persons on board the San F1·ancisco. On January 15, 1854, Mr. Pearce, of Maryland, offered the resolution to the effect that the Committee on Naval Affairs be instructed to make suit- able acknowledgments and present testimonials to the commanders and crews of the British ship Three Bells, the American bark J(ilby, and the ship Antarctic for the humanity and gallantry displayed in the rescue of the surviving officers, passengers, and crew of the San Francisco. The resolu- tion was adopted by unanimous consent, but debate then began upon the question whether to submit the resolution to the Naval or to the Military Committee, and what sort of remuneration should be offered. The debate it! the Senate was a long one, and when the measure was finally passed on to the House of Representatives, it became even more involved and hotly debated. ~ To WASHINGTON D. MrLLER 1 Washington, D. C. 6th Feby. 1854. My Dear Miller I have had the pleasure to receive your letter. Of the Carauchua League, I own 3/4, having sold to Mrs. Hetty McEwen in 1849, of Nashville, Tennessee, one quarter of the League next to the Gulf & fronting on "Kellers Creek," which deed is recorded in Jackson County. The other 3/4 I am williug to sell at $1. per acre, if I cannot get more, inasmuch as I have a good deal of land. I am wilHng to give ($200) two hundred dollars for making the sale or would be willing to give two hundred & fifty. But, I am indifferent about the sale of this Land as it must increase in value & price. The best way might be to
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