[RonDog]

Has the case for the Relief of Susan Decatur been ruled out as the naval officers widow?

It does appear to fit the description. Although, I can't find a recorded speech by Crockett, there is a great one given by a Mr. Chilton on pages 3818 - 3821.

The plot THICKENS...

Perhaps I spoke too soon! I just this e-mail answer from Dr. Paul Hutton , Professor of History at the University of New Mexico, and Executive Director of their Western History Association:

Dear RonDog:

I have not read the article,
But Crockett did indeed give a speech against the pension
(which was, by the way, for the widow of Stephen Decatur).

Paul Hutton

> RonDog wrote:
>
> Hi, Dr. Hutton - Perhaps you (or some of your graduate students) can
> help us.
>
> Some of the members of the conservative news forum
> www.FreeRepublic.com are currently attempting to establish the FACTS
> behind the classic "Not Yours to Give" article which has been widely
> circulated over the Internet, in a discussion thread at:
> http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/614198/posts?page=125#125
>
> Our general consensus to date is that David Crockett DID in fact vote
> against allocating federal funds for the widow of a popular military
> officer, and MAY have had a political mentor similar to the man
> identified in the article as "Horatio Bunce," although he was almost
> certainly NOT in Congress when they voted to provide aid to the
> sufferers of the tragic fire in the District of Columbia.
>
> You seem to be very well-informed about Colonel Crockett. What is
> YOUR opinion about "Not Yours to Give?"
>
> Thank you,
>
> RonDog

(FWIW, I used my REAL NAME, address and phone number in my e-mail to Dr. Hutton - NOT RonDog)

It looks like we are BACK to the drawingboard! (Or, not?)

Note that I did not mention WHICH widow that we thought Col. Crockett had voted against: Brown OR Decatur.
He volunteered that information about "the widow of Stephen Decatur." Good job finding that, michigander!

[Huck]

Note that I did not mention WHICH widow that we thought Col. Crockett had voted against: Brown OR Decatur. He volunteered that information about "the widow of Stephen Decatur."

I am putting my skeptic's hat on, RonDog. First, while you didn't mention Decatur by name, you linked to the thread here at FR where we DID mention the name. Second, how does he know Crockett made the speech? It is a little hard to believe that he would know that, and not know of this story, given that it appears to be the sole source of the tale. Could you press him for a source? A kindly reply?

Anyway, Horatio Bunce is the real wild card in this whole tale. Any leads there?

[Chapita]

This has turned out to be a great exercise in the reality of "the Information Super-Highway"!

[michigander]

But Crockett did indeed give a speech against the pension
(which was, by the way, for the widow of Stephen Decatur).

As I recall (I'm not going to go back and look), her request for relief was a VERY drawn out piece of legislation.
If you haven't already, check out that oratory by Mr. Chilton, he really put the screws to it.