WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844,
518
To COLLINS & RuGELY 1
Washington, January 18th, 1844.
To Messrs. Collins & Rugely, &c.,&c., &c. Gentlemen: In rep]y to your note asking certain information in relation to the conduct of the late commander of the Navy, I have the honor most respectfulJy to enclose herewith a statement from the Secretary of War and Marine, in relation thereto, with accompanying papers. Sam Houston. 1 Executive Record Book, No. 40, p. 307, Texas State Library. 2 R. M. Collins was a representative in the House from Brazoria County; John Rugely was a senator to the Seventh and Eighth Congresses from Matagorda, Jackson and Victoria. Rugely was elected to fill the unexpired term of Clark L. Owen; he took his seat, January 7, 1843. See E. W. Winkler (ed.), Secret Jom·nals of the Sencite, Re1n1blic of Texas, 1896-1845, p. 230; also see the journals for both the House and the Senate, Eighth Congress. Each of these men served on the Navy Committee of the chamber of which he was a member. To THE TEXAS SENATE 1 Executive Department, Washington, January 20, 1844. To the Honorable, the Senate: The bill "to fix the place for holding the sessions of the Supreme Court," having been presented to the President for his signature, has received mature consideration. The judicial branch of the government in every free country, is of the greatest importance to all its citizens; and in this, the supreme judicial tribunal, is the point to which they resort for the attainment of final justice and the protection of their rights. It is therefore but reasonable to suppose that every facility would be desired by them to enable them, whenever necessary, to give their personal attendance at its sessions, at the least possible expense. If this be true, the more central it is to the body of the population the more eligible its location. In removing it from the city of Austin to Washington, one of the arguments urged in favor of the measure, was the increased convenience which would thereby be afforded, to suitors on account of its more central position. If this was a sound reason for its removal to this point, in the removal now to Galveston, the reason would seem to lose all its force; for Galveston is quite as inconvenient
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