406
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1857
·that have taken place in the system of our naval service, and that -it is in a most healthful and prosperous condition. I desire to have its true condition made known to the Senate and to the nation. Having no other object than to ascertain whether the intelligence which we have received was correct or incorrect, I desired to have from the official source-the proper Department of the Government-the information necessary to enable us to arrive at a proper conclusion as to the facts. We are assured by the Executive, in his late annual message to Congress, that, "The condition of the Navy is not merely satisfactory, but exhibits the most gratifying evidence of increased vigor. . . . " This indorsement of the Navy of the United States by the Chief Magistrate of the country illy comports with the intelligence which we receive from other sources. The contrariety of state- ments in relation to the facts demands of the Senate, in my opinion, an investigation. I expect to obtain nothing but correct information from the Department. If it corroborates the state- ment of the Executive--which we regard as official-so much the better for him and for the service. Then all the side-bar insinua- tions, all imputations discreditable to the discipline of the Navy, . to its present organization, and to its efficiency, will be put to rest. The service will receive additional eclat from the investiga- tion. If the charges which reach our ears be true, a remedy should be applied to the existing evils, and the condition of the Navy should, at least, be commensurate with the demands of the coun- try, and the assurances which the Executive has given us of its necessities. Mr. President, the chairman of the Naval Committee asks us to extend extraordinary mercy in behalf of individuals who have been delinquent, and have resigned: he says that they are the very last ones who would desire to have the facts exposed that the world may see the cause of their resignation. This may be very reasonable; but how strangely and how wonderfully changed are the opinions and feelings of that gentleman since he sustained, with so much earnestness and ability, the action of the naval board, that seemed unscrupulous as to the wounds it inflicted on ·the minds of honorable men who had the highest indorsement of the nation in behalf of their character and their conduct! Sir, it was then just; it was right; it was proper to strike down men without cause. He admitted that a few honorable men had suf- fered wrong, but he said that a large majority of those who had been injured by the action of that board were unworthy. Then we found no sympathy for the degraded and dishonored officers
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