WRITINCS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1856
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So these powers inured to the President and Secretary before, and hence the absolute inutility of the law. There was no re- quirement for it except to suit the demands of a cabal here in the bureaus. They are nests of iniquity, and they are multiply- ing; but I want the eggs broken. Again: "But, whatever be the means adopted, he is responsible for the efficiency of his instruments. Congress have aided his judg- ment by giving him the benefit of the inquest by the board. They are as free to inquire as the President. They are subject to no other restrictions." What a pity it is that more restrictions were not placed on them, and then there would have been less ground of complaint to-day. This writer says: "They pass their judgment subject to the same responsibili- ties, and they are subject to none other." How proud, how omnipotent, how far above all revisionary power, how irresponsible they are! Further: "';['hey are bound to inquire fairly, earnestly, courageously; to be guided by public considerations alone; to give the country the full benefit of their knowledge and experience; to report the truth as it shall appear to them" ;-They italicize "truth"; otherwise, I suppose, it would have no weight. -"and to remember, that the blood and dishonor of any disaster to the American arms following from any neglect to report every case of incompetency coming within their knowledge will rest on them, and on their memory. Beyond this, they have no duty, no right, and no responsibility." Again they go on to say: "In the eye of the country, the first thing is that American seamen and officers shall not be sacrificed by incompetent com- manders." I shall have something to say in illustration of this position. It is a very good one. See how they enlarge upon it: "To this everything is subordinate, and for this the board was created. How individuals may be affected-whether the country have treated heroes ungratefully or not-is none of their busi- ness. They are charged to see that lives of American seamen, and the higher life of American honor, be neither thrown away nor jeoparded by hands of whose competency they are not con- vinced. If Decatur were alive, but blind, or a paralytic, or deaf and dumb, or so feeble as to be unable to encounter the hardships
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