59
WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1854
our own coast exposed for three years without a vessel or an "armed canoe" under which the waves of the gulf quivered, while the gallant Commodore was at Campeachy, where he dis- tinguished himself in dodging sixty-two pound balls. I have before me a manuscript copy of a letter, of which I have already read a printed copy. This seems to be the original. Having seen that pamphlets were referred to in the Commodore's letter to the Senator from Maryland, [Mr. Pearce,] I thought they must contain something, I did not know what, but as I had never seen any pamphlets of his, I was anxious to look at them. So I called on the Senators from Maryland and obtained them. Of course they are public, and there is no betrayal of confidence on the part of that Senator. The Commodore sent them to him, but I doubt whether he ever read them. In the manuscript letter to which I have referred, and which is now before me, there is a postscript which was not published in the newspaper, but this is a mere private "snap," I suppose. In the postscript, he says: "The two pamphlets which I speak of, I send separate. In an interview I could explain to your satisfaction many things in relation to this subject, which would make a letter too long. I have not spoken to Sam Houston for more than ten yea'rs; his course towards me originated in a personal matter, and has continued to this day, from the same cause, at the same time, he holds himself irresponsible for his vile abuse and slanders. The accompanying letter will illustrate that fact. -E. W. M." He says that a personal malice against him originated with me in 1840. The fact is, that I never had a word of unkindness with him in my life. I have no recollection of any. He says it originated in 1840. When I was Pi·esident of Texas he was Commodore, but he had never been confirmed, and in July, 1842, I nominated him to the Senate and he was confirmed, and I commissioned him. Did that look like personal hatred? I think not. Surely there is some inconsistency or discrepancy here. Among the papers which he sent to the Senator from Maryland, I find a letter on which is indorsed "the following letter was delivered to General Houston the day it is dated." It is dated the 5th of May, 1845, and purports to be written at Galveston. I do not think I was there at that time. Let me read the whole of this indorsement. Here it is: "The following letter was delivered to General Houston the day it is dated, we being both in Galveston, Texas, at the time, and he not occu'P'lJing any official position.
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