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WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1855
As to the "number of passes," it is left to your discretion en- tirely. I declare to you, my dear Sir, that I cannot designate the Phases of the Subject which I will present, because I do not know myself. If the particular points are not stated, it will create a greater interest in the community. I hope to be in Boston on the 21st proximo. Truly Thine Sam Houston [Rubric] Dr. J. W. Stone
1 Shettles Collection, University of Texas Library.
CONCERNING THE RELIEF OF THE OWNERS AND CREW OF THE BRIG "GENERAL ARMSTRONG" 1 January 26, 1855 I shall have to vote upon this subject, and I have very little to say upon it. I have taken up no time of the Senate thus far this session, and I shall now take but a few moments. It appears, from all that I can glean in regard to this matter, that the claim- ants were not consulted in relation to the reference to the arbitra- tion of the Emperor of F1·ance. The Government assumed the right to refer it. The demand was against Portugal for a viola- tion of the law of nations. The individuals had no recourse upon England. The only recourse was upon their own country, to see that their rights, as individuals, were vindicated. It was referred as I have stated, and it appears, according to the extract read by the Senator from Michigan, [Mr. Stuart,] contained in the deci- sion of the Emperor of France, that it was not ascertained that the boats which went to attack the General Armstrong were armed when they were challenged, and that a response not being made, they were fired into. Hence, it is that the French Emperor decided that the aggres- sion was on the part of the American vessel. Now, Sir, I should like to know what induced those boats to go unprepared. Are we not to act upon the presumption that they were there to board the vessel; that they had gone to attack it? If they launched their boats, and advanced within hail of the American vessel, and would not answer, they ought to have been fired into and sunk, every one of them. If this Government referred the subject to a foreign potentate for arbitration, without consent of the indi- viduals interested, and the decision was adverse to the interests
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