WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1854
56
Constitution. The joint resolution, therefore, assuming a ·func- tion not belonging to the Legislature, the Executive believes, is a violation of the fundamental law. But were it not so, he conceives the country has already suffered too much in blood and treasure from insubordination and disobedience of orders for such a palpable instance of it in an officer of the grade of Captain Moore to receive the extraordinary need of legislative forgiveness and reward. The sympathies of Congress and the Executive might indeed be invoked in his individual behalf: but it might well be refused, unless Antonio Laudois, James Hudgins, Isaac Allen, and William Simpson, who were executed at the yard arm of the ship Austin, by hanging for one hour, and until dead, for a similar offense, by order of Captain Moore, while under arrest himself, could be restored to life and partake of its efficacy. Could the "deep give up its dead," and the sympathy claimed be made general in its operation, the Executive would gladly listen to its dictates. But he can never sanction a rule which hangs the poor sailor, and rewards his officer for offenses of congenial character. "The joint resolution proposes to allow Captain Moore several thousand dollars as his pro rata pay. Were there no other ob- jection to this allowance, than the fact that he stands charged upcn the books of the auditor of public accounts for a lat'ge balance, the simple existence of this fact, would be a sufficient reason, in the opinion of the Executive, for its rejection. From the inclosed certificate of the auditor, it appears that Captain Moore has received at different times since June, 1842, of public money $72,726.74; and that up to the present time he has ac- counted for $21,851.38-leaving in his hands, unaccounted for, the sum of $50,875.36. Besides this, the Executive is informed, there is still a balance standing against him on the auditor's books at Austin. "In addition to these, under a proclamation issued by my predecessor, claims have been filed against the Government for debts contracted by Captain Moore to the amount of $20,000; making an aggregate of between $70,000 and $100,000. Should the joint resolution now proposed become a law, it will act as a virtual release to Captain Moore from all responsibility for this large sum; and the pay which is stipulated to be given him, could only be viewed as a reward for disobedience and insub- ordination to the laws and authorities of the country.
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