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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1856
been retained, to whom he alluded, I take great pleasure in speak- ing, because I have respect for them; and I will give my reason for not mentioning the others. I have respect for Gibbon and Herndon. They have contributed to science and to the honor and usefulness of their country. I have no objection to interpose to the assertion as to the retention of scientific men, so far as regards those two cases; but I can not consent to include others who have been receiving official prefer- ence and favor, and who have been promoted by the action of this board, or had a hand on it. It is immortality enough for them that they were indorsed by the "immortal fifteen." They have passed the ordeal of the slaughter-house of reputation. Let that be their indorsement. What I say, humble as I am, is to become history, and I will not give them immortality by stating their names. They do not deserve it, and I will not do it. They may look for fame to what the venerable Senator from Delaware said of them; though I believe he has no indorser; but as it was his "sincere testimony," I suppose it will pass current. [Laugh- ter.] They are the men who happen to be retained. I am perfectly aware of what has produced this excitement. I have not had persons contributing to my means of information who had access to the Navy Department. I have not had such persons to run to the department for me and obtain every musty document that would assail the reputation of any man. But, Mr. President, when you compare the documents which I have read and the evidence on which I relied, with that introduced by the venerable Senator from Delaware, I think the inference must fairly be drawn that I am less obnoxious to the charge of having used a drag-net than that Senator himself. How has he assailed Maury? He has gone back for fifteen years. I can very well understand the object of the venerable Senator in that. He did not intend to insult the Senator from Tennessee [Mr. Bell], who had taken an interest in Maury's case. He read from a speech which I had made, where I said that I had been Maury's patron, and was proud of it. Sir, I am, I was, I will be, proud of him! I feel that he has been wronged; and I hope that he will be redressed, and that the country will be benefited by honoring him with what he deserves. But what has the venerable Senator from Delaware done? ·was it necessary for the examination of any matters connected with the action of the board that he should present what he did pre- sent in regard to Lieutenant Maury? I did not go into the personal affairs of Mr. Du Pont or other gentlemen; but he went into the
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