116 MATTHEW FONTAINE MAURY 



Mexican War and had been refused; that other officers 

 retained on the active list had a larger proportion of 

 shore duty than he; and that he had been kept at the 

 Naval Observatory by the various Secretaries of the 

 Navy because of his special fitness for the work. This 

 latter statement was proved by personal letters, of which 

 the following from William A. Graham will serve as an 

 example: "In answer to your inquiry, why you were not 

 ordered to sea during my connection with the Navy De- 

 partment, I have to state that I considered your services 

 at the National Observatory of far more importance and 

 value to the country and the navy than any that could 

 be rendered by an officer of your grade at sea in time of 

 peace. Indeed, I doubt whether the triumphs of navi- 

 gation and of the knowledge of the sea achieved under 

 your superintendence of the Observatory will not con- 

 tribute as much to an effective Naval Service and to the 

 national fame as the brilliant trophies of our arms". 



Resolutions in favor of Maury's restoration to the 

 active service list were passed by the state legislatures of 

 Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, Maryland, New Jersey, 

 Virginia, and New York. Of those passed by the last- 

 mentioned state, he wrote, "These resolutions uttered 

 by a great state in the manner of a free people have a 

 charm that is lacking in these honors which, in the shape 

 of medals, orders of knighthood, crosses, and decora- 

 tions, have been conferred by the hands of strangers". 



Finally, in view of the findings of the court of inquiry 

 and the sympathy for Maury which had been aroused 

 throughout the whole country, the President not only 

 restored him to the active service list but also promoted 

 him to the rank of commander. The announcement 

 of this promotion was as follows: "Sir: The President 



