WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1858
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implore the Senate, if they regard Texas or Texans, if they re- gard peace, if they regard the civilizations of the Indians, the harmony of the frontier, and our defeaseless condition, to vote for this amendment. [Mr. Davis speaks.] Mr. Houston. No, sir; not a foot of it. I will explain to the gentleman. It has been purchased by the Government for an Indian reservation, but I do not want a Texas Indian to go on it at all. The gentleman misapprehends me. [Davis expressed surprise at Houston's attacking the character of the Indian agent.] Mr. Houston. The gentleman's surprise, I am sure, did not exceed mine,.and does not exceed it now. I would be glad if the gentleman would be so kind as to tell me what remarks of a personal character I applied to his friend, the Indian agent? [Davis insisted that Houston's remarks were disrespectful to the agent.] Mr. Houston. I said it was unfortunate to carve out a superin- tendency there, but I said nothing against the gentleman. Now, sir, this goes out to the worl~ as if I had availed myself of my senatorial position wantonly to attack the character of an in- dividual. As the Senator does not know what it was, and asks me if I did not do it, I tell him, no sir, I did not do it. . [Davis interrupted.] Mr. Houston. The gentleman has made a charge that I uttered a word disreputable to this gentleman. I deny it completely. The inference I drew, and which is the only thing that could be construed into such a thing, was, that it was a scheme to carve out a new superintendency there. I did not use the name of that gentleman; I do not know him, as I have stated. I did say that he had made this remonstrance, but that the Choctaws never did, and never wrote a protest. The Senator from Arkansas con- curred in it at the time it was made. I have used no epithets. I have called him by no degrading name or term, and I am not going to be charged indirectly with such things by any gentle- man, on this floor. I have only to say to the gentleman, that if he belongs to the peerage, I am satisfied he should claim it. I have no ambition to belong to the peerage. I belong to the House of Commons. But, sir, I have assailed the character of -nobody. I said that that officer, for his disreputable reply when he was called upon to give aid, by saying that if they wanted protection he would go
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