WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1856
302
APRIL-JULY, 1856
REMARKS ON A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE COURT-MARTIAL PROCEEDINGS ON THE TRIAL OF CAPTAIN RITCHIE, APRIL 3, 1856t I move to take up the resolution which I submitted on the 1st of April, calling for information in relation to the court-martial of Captain Ritchie. The resolution was read as follows: Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy be directed to furnish the Senate with copies of the proceedings of a naval court-martial recently held in the city of Philadelphia for the trial of Captain · Ritchie, and all the correspondence relating thereto in the De- partment. [Omitting the remarks of other Senators concerning the resolu- tion, Houston made replies to Fish, Pratt, and Bayard.] Mr. Houston [to Fish]. I am very sorry to differ in opinion with the honorable Senator from New York. It is always ex- ceedingly mortifying to me to disagree with any gentleman here in opinion; but on this occasion I hope the honorable Senator will excuse me for thinking that it is necessary and proper that this resolution should be passed. I can inform him that the answer that will be made to it will not be voluminous; perhaps there will not be more than three or four pages of the entire correspond- ence, as I understand. From the knowledge which I have of it I wish it to be brought before the Senate for the sake of the information which it will afford us. We are acting on the sub- ject to which it relates, and we cannot be too well informed in regard to it. I deem it a subject of much importance, and I wish to obtain all the information possible in reference to it. The gentleman from New York is a member of the Committee on Naval Affairs, and is no doubt familiar with the business before that committee; but on this point he will permit me to differ from him in opinion, with due reference to the committee and to him- self. I wish to obtain this information. I know that other Sen- ators wish to have it. Some who are favorable to the action of the board have told me this morning that they have thought of calling for the same information which an answer to this resolu- tion will give to us. For that reason I hope that it will be adopted.
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