WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1854
32
So far as my personal conduct has been concerned, Mr. Presi- dent, I am regardless of the opinions of the world, or their stric- ture upon my actions. They are fair game; and if they are a target that gentlemen choose to shoot at, they are welcome to waste their ammunition; but when my official acts, and my re- sponsibility in the body as a Senator, associated with another member, are called in question, I feel it my duty to vindicate my- self, and to lay before the Senate a character put fairly in issue by this charge of my accuser. In this same publication I see a charge made against the ex-President of Texas in the discharge of his official duty, and I am constrained, from a thorough knowl- edge of the facts of the case, to brand that in the outset with untruthfulness. The writer of the letter states: "During Sam Houson's first term as President of Texas he had a difference with the Secretary of the Navy, Hon. S. Rhodes [Rhoads] Fisher. The difference was of such a character that Mr. Fisher would not resign until it was settled beyond any doubt. The President impeached him, and he was tried by the Senate of the Republic, which body did not sustain the impeachment. Mr. Fisher then resigned." Now, Mr. President, this is a trivial matter; but as it is an opening wedge to others of more importance, I shall take the liberty of showing that it contains not one word of truth, so far . as the result of that transaction is concerned. The individual mentioned no longer exists; and I have no disposition, in vindi- cation of the President of Texas, to say aught against his mem- ory; but I shall use historical facts which exist. He had first applied to the President to get leave to take command of the navy of Texas while he was Secretary of the Navy. It was denied him. He obtained a furlough to visit his family; but instead of doing that he went to sea in personal command of the navy, on a cruise of three months. Transactions took place under his direction which involved the character of Texas and her finances to a con- siderable extent. At least $5,000 had to be paid to the British Government for the improper seizure of the Eliza Russell, a vessel that was seized contrary to the orders issued by the Secre- tary of the Navy himself to the commander of the navy. The seizure was in direct violation of law, because she had nothing contraband of war on board. When she came as a prize into the harbor of Galveston, the President referred all the facts to the Attorney General,3 a legal gentleman of high standing dispatched for the purpose, and on his return he ordered a clearance to the Eliza Russell. Such was the condition of the navy at the time,
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