WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1856
306
good Miniature type taken of you, and with my hair placed in it. It is rather tasty. Of course, I wear it in my bosom, suspended by a blue and white Ribbon. Whether or not you wished me thus to arrange it, I wont say, but as I have a fancy to have you in by bosom, I concluded to act upon my own whim, without advise- ment from you. If you should blame me I hope soon to have an opportunity of making suitable apology for the offence! Sam says that the crop is getting on well, and I am glad that it is so. He says Cousin Martin has invited him to make a speech at Independence on the 21st Inst. It might be well to do so! Sam tells me of Charley's wedding! I reckon Sam feels a little more kinish towards Charley than he has been doing heretofore! Love to all. Thine Ever Houston Margaret. 1 From the original in Mr. Temple H. Morrow's collection of Houston materials. CONDEMNING THE ACTION OF THE NAVAL RETIRING BOARD AND THE LAW THAT CREATED IT, APRIL 23, 1856 1 The Senate having under consideration the Resolution of Mr. Iverson for the appointment of a Special Committee to examine the members of the Naval Board under oath- Mr. Houston said: Mr. President, I am suffering from hoarse- ness and indisposition; and the explanations which have just been made have occupied a large share of our time; but yet I shall proceed to occupy a portion of the time of the Senate to-day with some remarks in relation to the action of the Naval Retiring Board, which is now before us for consideration. It is proper for me to state, prefatory to the remarks which I propose to submit, why it is that I am under the necessity of now addressing the Senate on this subject. Sir, I have been charged with dragging into this debate, personalities and individual char- acter in a manner calculated to produce irritation and bad feeling. When I spoke before, I disclaimed any intention of that kind; and I believe that the records of the Senate will verify the fact, that I not only disclaimed it, but that, in point of truth, my former remarks are not liable to such a construction. It will be recollected, Mr. President, that this debate was first inaugurated into the Senate by the venerable Senator from Dela- ware [Mr. Clayton], in secret session. He referred to a resolution which I had introduced for the purpose of obtaining from the
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