53
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1854
Sir, it would be tedious, or I would go on and give letters confirmatory of the facts which have recently transpired here in relation to similar matters. I will now, however, give a few specimens of the style in which I have been spoken of by this individual, to show that he has descended to personality; but I will not follow in that respect. At page 175 of his book, when speaking in reference to the proclamation which was issued, and which I have read, he uses this language : "The infamous course adopted by the President was hard to endure-a bitter return for years of unrequited services-caustic to the wounds which poverty and distress had engrafted on the very soul! And had it not been for the redress which the form of our Government guaranteed; had President Houston been an autocrat in fact, as in imagination, he would have become the outlaw he desired us to become, and have resisted authority in self-defense." Sir, I think he had resisted the authority as far as possible. If he did not resist, he certainly totally disregarded his orders. I have no disposition to retaliate on him; but I will read a little more of his abuse, and then I will show some of the cause for it; and, finally, I will read President Jones's veto, to show what he thought of this matter. The Commodore says : "having obeyed the injunctions of the high-handed and in- famous proclamation." The fact is, he did not obey the proclamation. It was an excuse for his getting off and avoiding the enemy. What obedience! What subserviency to law and order! I think it very illy comported with his other acts. Surely it shows a great amiability! Now let me read his dishonorable discharge, of which he complains so much, and for which, he says, there was no authority of law. After enumerating the various orders which he had disobeyed, it goes on to say: "You entered into a compact with the authorities of Yucatan, the inhabitants of a portion of the territory of our common enemy, without the sanction or knoweldge of the authorities of this Government. This was treason. For these various acts of disobedience and contumacy you were, on the 21st of March, 1843, suspended from the command of the navy of the Republic, and ordered to report to the Department of War and Marine in arrest. "After the reception of this order of suspension and arrest, you, in violation of law, without authority, and disregarding the
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