WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1856
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confront his accusers, when charges affecting his personal char- acter and professional honor are brought against him. 3. Resolved, That for reasons hereinbefore alluded to, the Sen- ators and Representatives of Virginia in Congress be earnestly requested to cooperate in effecting the passage of a bill which shall provide a fair opportunity to the parties aggrieved by the action of said board, to vindicate their tarnished honor; and sub- ject not only them, but the whole Navy, to a proper reform, upon just, rational, and legal principles. The form of this remedy it refers with confidence to the discretion of the Representatives of Virginia. 4. Resolved, at the same time, That this General Assembly owes it to the rights and the honor of its constituents, involved so largely by the action of the aforesaid board, to declare that it finds on the list of dismissed Virginians, names of men who have, by their achievements in war and peace, in arms and in science, not only commanded the thanks and the compliments of their own country, but had extorted, and, whilst this board was in session, were extorting the homage and admiration of all the great commercial and naval Powers of the world. 5. Resolved, That the clerks of the two Houses be directed forthwith to forward copies of these resolutions to our Senators and Representatives in Congress. Adopted March 5, 1856. Teste: Shelton C. Davis, Clerk of the Senate. S. G. Tucker, Clerk of the House of Delegates. Mr. Houston. Mr. President, I rejoice that the Old Dominion has spoken on this occasion. Her weight in the Confederacy, The peculiar position which she has heretofore occupied, and which she still occupies; her sound political adherence to correct prin- ciples in times past, with as few aberrations from a proper course as it was possible during the period of her existence for any State to pursue, entitles her to an attentive hearing. I am informed •that California, too, the youngest sister of the Confederacy, has spoken on this subject, though officially her voice has not yet been heard in this Chamber. Allusion was made the other day by the honorable Senator from Delaware, [Mr. Clayton,] to the influence exerted around these walls, and the appeals made to members of Congress by persons who think themselves aggrieved by the action of the Naval board, as though members felt it necessary that they should have prompt- ers to stimulate them to the discharge of their duties, and as l
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