44
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1854
imputation of swindling any individual who rendered service to that country. This man has been munificently requited for everything he has done, and even a bonus was given to him far beyond what was received by any individual who participated in the struggles through which Texas has passed. It is due to Texas that she should be vindicated from such an aspersion, and that she should be vindicated on this floor. From that vindica- tion, however grating it may be to the feelings of the individual, I shall not shrink, and I shall rely upon documents unquestionable in their character. I shall not go out of the record to impute a single thing not sustained by documentary testimony. Again and again has this man acknowledged that he had no means; in the very correspondence with Yucatan he acknowledged it, and yet, in various instances, he attempted to create an impression that he made large pecuniary advances to Texas. He charges the President of Texas with having oppressively dis- charged him from the navy of that Republic, and arraigns him as having acted without law. After the facts which have been already exhibited, it will be seen that there was no alternative left for the Executive but to discharge him for his contumacy and dis- obedience of orders, and for the discredit and injury inflicted upon the country. He complains that he was illegally discharged, because the laws of Texas provided that no individual should be tried except by his equals in rank; and he being Commodore, and there being but one Commodore, of course there was no way of trying him. This is a very nice plea; but the face of the very commission which he had in his pocket declared that he was to hold office under the commission during good behavior, or during the pleasure of the President. The President, after these acts of enormity, finding no other alternative left, gave him a dishonorable discharge. It was the only possible way in which he could act. This man had disregarded all the orders of the Government. He had ceased to recognize the Government as in existence. He had formed an alliance with a foreign Government, and took upon himself the whole control of the navy. Was not this sufficient cause for his dismissal? But, really, what were his great achievements in this Yucatan expedition, in which he says he accomplished so much? In the last action he had only two vessels there. The other vessels engaged were of the squadron of Yucatan off Campeachy, where the last action was fought. His vessel was literally cut to pieces, five or six gallant men were killed, and a number wounded. Was all this for the purpose of rendering the country any service? Was it to execute
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