II
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1846
483
[Mr. Sevier and Mr. Atherton speak.] Mr. Houston explained, that all the soldiers in the fort-all the army and navy employed in that service-were embraced in the command of General Taylor. It had been the uniform practice only to vote a sword to the commanding officer, not to the sub- ordinates. In the War of 1812, the States of which these officers were natives, voted them swords; but there was no instance where Congress had voted a sword, except to the commanding officer. The motion to refer the resolution to the Committee on Military Affairs was agreed to.
'Cong1·essional Globe, 1845-1846, 900-901.
REMARKS CONCERNING THE CALL FOR TROOPS BY GENERAL GAINES 1
Mr. Houston regretted that the debate had taken such a dis- cursive range. He would not protract it. He did not think the subject of the resolution was a proper subject of discussion there. It was matter for a court-martial. He could not believe but that General Gaines acted in a spirit of proper devotion to his country, and it was not likely that he would commit an error except by accident. When the call was made, it was simultaneous with the report that Paredes was advancing with a great force. Detached as he was, the General may have violated the rules of war. But could he have waited until Congress acted? No. His duty was clear in the emergency. As the lieutenant of the Execu- tive, he had an undoubted right to make the requisition. If he was satisfied that the emergency required it, it was his duty to act as he had done. Even if he had transcended his orders, the action of the Government subsequently in approving what he had done, made it legal, of course. But till the factors were before the body, it was not proper to be going into idle speculation or discussion of the matter. It was not just or necessary to arraign officers before that body until they had full possession of all the facts. He could not believe that General Gaines had acted in any manner inconsistent with patriotism and honor. In voting on the resolution, he did not conceive that he impugned the conduct of General Gaines. The purest motives, he was confident, had actu- ated that officer. He had felt all the southern excitement against the insidious character of the Mexicans. It was only fair to judge General Gaines according to the circumstances in which he was placed. Mr. H. deprecated any judgment in the case in advance of proper investigation. General Gaines had always been for his country, ready at any time to sacrifice his life in its defence.
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