352
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1856
on their conduct so long as I keep within the pale of the public records of the country. If I have transcended the privilege accorded to me-if I have violated the franchises of the Consti- tution, I am free to attack an arraignment. If I travel out of the record-if I- slander or traduce private individuals, let it be shown, and I shall always be ready to defend myself, on notice being given of the attack against me. My person is free to arraign- ment. I am responsible for my course. The views which I have taken on this subject have been fully sustained by the documents; and I could, from them, deduce facts going much beyond what I have presented. What would honorable gentlemen think of me if I were to make a statemei'lt like this: A certain member of the board, while the bill of the last session was pending, used his efforts to procure its passage. A certain gentleman was opposing it. The officer came to him and said, "What are you doing here opposing this bill?" "Why," said he, "I do not wish it to pass the Senate." The officer said to him, "I know very well why you are opposing it; you are afraid that such a man, your friend, Cap- tain so-and-so, will be prejudiced by the bill, and that is the reason why you oppose it. Now," said he-this was before the law was passed-"never mind; I will be a member of the board, and not one hair of Captain H's head shall be hurt." If any Senator asks me whether I can prove this statement, or desires to know the author, I tell him, grant a special committee that will go heartily into the investigation, and I will bring the wit- nesses who will substantiate the statement. I think this circumstance shows that all the talk that we have heard of the disinterestedness of the board amounts to nothing. These men were interested in the result of their own action. The whole thing had been concocting for years under successive Secre- taries of the Navy, until its consummation took place in the year 1855, with all the management and contrivances possible. This "packed conspiracy," as Commodore Perry designated it, was concocted for years. You may trace back four of its members, who co-operated consistently since 1838, 1839, and 1840, when a conspiracy was formed against Commodore Hull while he was in command of the Mediterranean squadron. I desire my fellow- citizens, the officers of the Government, to be rescued from such persecution. I shall not arraign the board. I do not say they are not honest-I shall cast no reflection on the chivalry of the navy. My feelings in regard to the board perhaps may be illustrated by a transaction which occurred in Augusta County, Virginia, before Judge Coulter, a gentleman of distinction, and a remark- able Democrat.
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