286
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1856
the Navy, the Saratoga, from joining our Pacific squadron. He was willing to take away from the force in the Pacific in time of w·ar not only his own efficiency, if you please, but the means and material of meeting the enemy. He knew not what enemies were to be met on that coast; and he certainly ought to have supposed, as a military man and a disciplinarian, that the Secre- tary of the Navy was the competent judge, and not Commodore Shubrick. Mr. Butler. What ship did the Senator say Commodore Shu- brick wished to send home? Mr. Houston. I said that, by his suggestion, the Saratoga returned from Rio de Janeiro; and in a letter which I have read he says he cannot suppose "there will be the least occasion for the additional force of the Columbus. It is clear that, in the opinion of the late Secretary, it was not the Columbus, but Com- modore Biddle, that wa.s needed here during the war." Commodore Stockton and Commodore Sloat had preceded him- I believe Commodore Stockton had relieved Commodore Sloat, and Commodore Shubrick Commodore Stockton. Was it not reasonable that he should be relieved from command, if his con- tinuance was not for the good of the service? He was not, in fact, ordered to be relieved; it was a mere intimation. He was not ordered to be relieved by Commodore Biddle until the 16th of May, and he had applied in January previous for leave to return. On the 7th of May, Commodore Jones was detailed to relieve him. Others can judge as well as ·r can of the pro- priety of desiring to come home with his pennant when the force in the Pacific was.not of a character to give much efficiency to our marine operations. It was weak, even with all the ships we had there, if it was necessary to blockade at a prominent point, and put down resistance to this Government. It is very easy to perceive what is meant, for Commodore Biddle says to him: "Your return to the United States, at this time, will be injuri- ous to the service, and will, I think, be injurious to yourself." On reflection, his determination to leave was changed. What the motive was I do not pretend to say; I only state his determi- nation. He had sailed in August, I think, and must have arrived between August and January; and in the month of January he applied for leave to return from the Pacific. He says further: "This affords me no satisfaction; what has passed cannot be recalled; and my only wish now is, to return in this ship or the
i r
Powered by FlippingBook