Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-09-14
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
EXPLANATION BY SENATOR HOUSTON.

Mr. HOUSTON in pursuance Of an ntimaton previously
given be should ask leave briefly to notice certain state
published by writer in the "Souhen Press rose
and said
Mr. President on Friday last gave notice that should
to-day claim the indulgence of the Senate to offer personal
explanation relation to charges which have been pre-
ed against 1t appears from the date and the place OF
the accusation, that originated in the House OF Representa-
ves and the signature which attached to the commu-
nicaon indicates the individual who makes the accusa
ton is member of that body Sir, with abuse am some
what familiar. Until now when have passed the meridian
of @ have been much abused but have dlsregaded the
abuse which has been gatuitousy heaPed upon me- But
my position this ime and the relations which bear 70
members Of this body well the American people, seem
demand of that should not pass this attack unre-
garded. ...... a..
With me- sir subject of sincere regret to have contro
VERSES Of any kind. have always avoided them UP to
this period Of nv life have attacked mans reputation
In this case am not the assaant but being assaed claim
the right to repe unounded charges and accusations which
are calculated affect reputation SO lar as 1t is connected
with either the past the present. During the session.
have seldom obuded myself upon the attention OF the SEN
ate and as we are now hope drawing the business OF the
session toa conclusion, the reluctant that my pm
yate matters should occupy moment OF the precious time
of this body But ., it appears that my offence or that
which assumed to be offence, occurred IN debate In the
Senate for spoken in debate in this body one OF It's
members have been assaied by writer in paper called the
ssSou,hern Press and though the individual is unknown to
me- though with him have had intercourse the vindlcaton
of my conduct and its vndcaton in this chamber, Is due
alike to the Senate and to myself
For twentysx years have been occasionally connected
with dberaive bodes-for it is twenty-sx twenty
years since entered the House of Representatives MEM
br and have frequently served in debeatve bodies con-
situations and conventions in the State of which am now
czenand in the whole of that tme never to my
recollection have violated rule of decorum, or been called
to order for supposed violation. If had used any express
sion unbecoming station the respect due to this honor
able body am satisfied that gentlemen here would not have
permitted to pass unnoiced. The Senators from the State
South Carolina would have detected outrage committed
upon an absent member Of that community the dis in
puhed deceased Mr. CALHOUN who has been drawn into
this matter Their sense Of honor of decacy Of propey
renders them tenacious the honor their State and OF
its citizens 1t would have been the duty Of the President
too and the duty Of every Senator to have called to order
il had violated the rules Of decorum But inter
posed and hence may be reasonably supposed that nothing
was said or done call forth the resentment Of any
The charges sir, to which will call the attention Of
the Senate embodied in nterrogatoes ropounded by the
individual to whom aude After speaking to the editors
for some time, he says: t.,.
81 will for moment Mesrs. Editors change the venue
from you the Senator himself for the OF
ing to him few direct and plain and hope he
will favor the public with distinct answer to each
He then propounds them, proceeding to say:
al you sir did did Mr.. Madison, after the
battle of the Horse Shoe appoint you to the ONCE Oh SUD-
Indian agent for one of the Southern tribes !'
In that nterogatory will say that Mr. Madl-
SON did not appoint was appointed under the admins
tration President Monroe the 29h of September 1917
by Mr. George Graham, acting Secretary Of War.
His next interrogatory is
ibid or did YOU not SIR hold this Office until MIR. Monroe
power and Mr. Calhoun under him Secretary Of
War;" H..
This useless question, has been already answered,
and it has bearing the subject was not in office
when Mr. Monroe into power but appointed under
his administration 49,, :..". -" .>..@
He then proceeds: .'.*.-
And did or did not Mr. Calhoun you be removed
from the Office of sub-Indan agent for maeasance in office
Mark the word, sir aeasanee not deeming alto
geher good to term with which all familiar
a. nFf hae
you give direct to these nterrogaorie without
resorng your usual prevaricaton The public will be
gratifed doubtless, to hear your response"
Sir, I.never removed from any office have taken
some noube-and have doubt the clerks thought soto
have the archives of the country ranacked for
years back and the establishment, have no doubt OF
some, it will appear that my track is Clear that IS SMOOTH
and without brush in it. From the time enlisted as
private soldier the ranks of the United States army the
24h of March, 1873 up the ls Of March, 1918, when
resigned first lieutenant, never had mark against
If there marks they were the marks OF the enemy
upon my body, and not upon my escutcheon never was
"defauler for moment, sir was incapable of email
feasance :; and for my conduct sub-ndian agent will
produce the records testimony, and bring forward very
high authority which has not heretofore been pomuged to
the world because did not desire such aid to obtain the pub
lie appreciation. But, sir if have earned the approval OF
my fellow cizens should be false to them and TO myself
if did vndcae the character which they have accorded
me. ~
Sir, the office of subs agent unsought by II was
unsolicited because at that time suffering from the
effects of wound had been so for four years. and was
unable many believed to encounter the arduous duties
and exposure which must necessarily encounter IN per-
forming the duties of sub Indian agent and melting the In
dams of the Mississippi. But, SIR, because
seemed the interests Of the Government and be-
cause contributing aid to the great work OF pachcatne
and concilaing the feelings Of the Southfor Georgia was
not une1ced, and Tennessee anxious to occupy be-
chartered mits-I willing TO make sacrifice OF my OWL
individual comfort and health, need be- was the busi
ness General Jackson supervise the execution as ne has
been one Of the commissioners to make the treaty lie wa
chief of the military of the Southern division OF the United
States Many connected with the Indians OF tina
country were referred him indeed, believe he was en-
gagged in negotiating treaties with Indian tribes thar
any other individual within my knowledge Col. Megs,
man of the revolution and colonel al that time, being hel
uated and unable to perform the duties to which
it was thought a younger would be competent wa
detailed for the purpose General Jackson recommended M
in letter. an extract from which will read to the Senate
Extract of letter from AndreD Jackson, Major Genera
Commanding Division OF the South, to Geo. Graham
Esq., Acting Secretary Of War, dated Nashville 26f'
August, 1917. '"#..
of the Infantry, young OF sound integrity who ha
my entire confidence and in capacitated 70 NIL I'M
appointment. l would further remark, that Lieut. H. ma
claims upon Government for wound he
IN service, which may be considered disability"
commission was granted to me, dated August 29h
1917. Subsequent that time, Mr. Graham, in writing
Col. MeIgs, the agent, says: ,'
Your presence among them the Indaus) will, have
doubt, have most happy effect but hope the necessity
remaining with them will be obviated by tn
presence OF Lieut. Houston, who the very warm recon
mendaton OF Gen. Jackson has been appointed assar
agent and whom, preume you will have met with you
arrival at the agency" .'..
r there in tho diseha nf h, uvhp