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WRITINGS OF 5AM: HOUSTON, 1856
for "pretended." It is thought by some gentlemen that unless this change is made, the resolution will be objectionable; there- fore, I ask the consent of the Senate to have the alteration made. [Reid of North Carolina thought that either "pretended" or "alleged" might reflect upon the Secretary of the Navy.] M1·. Houston. I believe the Chair announced that the altera- tion would be made by unanimous consent, and I supposed that it would be done. I will remark, however, to the gentleman from North Carolina, that in drafting this resolution I had no inten- tion to cast the least imputation on the Secretary of the Navy, because I entertain for him the highest respect as a gentleman and an officer. His ability is well known. His excellence and purity of character, I believe, are not questioned. I did think, however, that if the resolution was not worded in the phraseology which I employed, or in similar language, it would be considered as amounting to at least an implied indorsement of the action of the naval board; and I do not intend in the slightest degree to imply an acquiescence in, or approval of, anything done by that board. For this reason I inserted the words "pretended execution"; but as that language was thought by some to imply perhaps a reflection on the Secretary of the Navy, I was willing to substitute the word "alleged" for "pretended," and I under- stood that it was done. I do not wish to have the passage of this resolution delayed. I should be very willing to debate the question, but I know that it would lead to a discussion of the whole subject, and that is now unnecessary. I confess that I am somewhat tenacious about this matter, for I think that nothing was done properly by this board. I intend, however, to cast no reflection on the Secretary of the Navy, and I desire the Senate so to understand me.... My fear is that unless the word "pretended" be employed, the resolution may be considered as implying that the law has been executed by the action of the board. That is a question that I do not intend to yield. It seems to me that the resolution, if amended as I propose, can cast no reflection on the Secretary of the Navy. It surely was not so intended. I have disclaimed any such purpose. I have stated that I have no unkind feelings to- ward the Secretary of the Navy; and it seems to me that this disclaimer in the Senate would relieve the resolution from any such construction. Some gentlemen claim that the nction of the
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