47
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1854
Lieutenant Edwin W. Moore resigned his office in the Navy of the United States on the 16th of July, 1839, and he was then indebted to the Government in the sum of $906.11. This indebt- edness arose out of his having, by a power of attorney, authorized John T. Donaldson, president of a life insurance company at Baltimore, to receive a certain part of his pay monthly for three years from the navy agent at that place; and from his having subsequently, himself, received from the purser of the vessel to which he was attached more than the balance of the pay to which he was entitled, after deducting the portions thus allotted. On the 19th of February, 1839, his account exhibited the balance which I have mentioned as due from him. The account was reported to the Second Comptroller of the Treasury for suit.. He was arrested in New York, but soon afterwards he was released on bail. On the 3d of February, 1840, the solicitor of the Treasury remitted to the officer a certificate for $500, which was said to have been collected in a suit against Joseph Hopkins, the bail. Mr. Moore's account was credited with this sum, collected from his bail, but there is still upon the books of the Department an unpaid balance due from him to the Government. With all his professions of fervid patriotism toward Texas, with all his high respect for her institutions and her officers, could he have become so devotedly attached to them as to forget his personal credit in his country? Could he have left such a debt in his native country, and yet have been so munificent, as he alleges he was, to his· adopted land? Is it to be supposed, under the circumstances, when his bail was suffering for him, that he would not have paid that sum, if he at any time had possessed the means? The Fourth Auditor of the Treasury, under date of June 29, 1852, says "that there is a balance still standing on the books of this office against E. W. Moore, of $406.11 which still remains unpaid." Commodore E. W. Moore has drawn at different times, on account of his services in the navy of Texas, the sum of $14,888; and the Legislature not many years ago, appropriated $11,390 to reimburse him for advances which he had made on account of the navy upon vouchers that were equitably adjusted. Thus $26,178 were received by him from Texas. Has she not treated him well? But, sir, as he has charged me with crimes of a degrading character, it is proper that I should show from what source these charges emanate, and how far my Government is to be injured
Powered by FlippingBook