WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
449
There was a blow up at Galveston the other day about the Navy. Galveston cut herself right off. They would not let the President execute the law. [He didn't happen to be present.] Why? because the Mexicans might come and take them !-They were now fitting out a secret expedition-destined for Galveston! It would be a subject of wonder to every sensible man if this disloyalty would not encourage Santa Anna. He will say, "If I go to Texas, I shall at least find such a division among the people, and such an opposi- tion to the authorities of the country, as will render them an [paper torn] cy." What has our navy done? It has cost us millions of dollars. It has been a dead expense, and has acquired neither honor nor glory to the nation. The commodore has received one hundred and odd thousands dollars, and .has never accounted for one dollar! When Tobasco was taken, he received twenty-four thou- sand dollars, and but a pittance was disbursed to the officers and seamen. He has recently received forty thousand dollars from Yucatan-Government has been saddled with the responsibilities. The Commodore received eighteen thousand dollars this summer was a year ago, with instructions not to hypothecate it within ninety days. He went to New Orleans with positive orders to that effect. He hypothecated it: no, he did not hypothecate it. But fifteen hundred dollars was returned by the boat, and the balance was squandered. · Is it necessary to foist up a man who disregards the orders of the government because he is opposed to an individual who, per- chance, has not the fortune to please certain Janus-faced politi- cians? I will say this: That the individual who has done these things, when it was announced to the government that it was impossible for the vessels to leave the port of New Orleans, was ordered to bring them to Galveston. An express was sent the Commodore in February; he stood off, and would not receive it.-Another in March, and he stood off again, and would not receive it. He came home in May, and went to New Orleans. Congress at last session Passed a secret act, upon the recommendation of the President, for which there were good grounds, as he had reason to believe. It was then thought we could never get the vessels home-that we should lose them, perhaps by an act of piracy. The secret act passed, having for its object to get possession of the vessels, without its being known, so that they might be [a] hie either to pay off the debt . . . or to relieve the starv . . . lance to go • . . nothing mysterious in this . . . voting for a loan commis- sioner [to Eu] rope to get millions.~ People might very well vote
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