LETTERS OF A CITIZEN. 25 



you too closely upon this point ; so I will waive it, and allow your 

 official acts to speak for themselves, as I shall take them up in 

 my next letter. 



It was now well ascertained in the naval service that you had 

 no partiality for the expedition, nor have you ever been known to 

 manifest any feelings of that nature towards those by whom it was 

 commanded. He who could depreciate the high objects, or find 

 most fault with the plan and scope of the measure, either in toto 

 or detail, was sure of finding in you a most graciously-condescending 

 and patiently-listening auditor. You have often said that the offi- 

 cers of the navy were opposed to the expedition. Did man ever 

 labour more zealously in any cause than you have done to produce 

 this very opposition ? Why, sir, the scientific corps has frequently 

 been held up by you as an encroachment upon the rights of those 

 officers, and you have as frequently stated that to be one reason 

 why the whole affair was so unpopular with them. This prepos- 

 terous sentiment, so freely and perpetually expressed by the head 

 of the department, could not fail to produce some impression, es- 

 pecially among the less informed and less considerate portion of 

 the profession. You even went farther, and maintained that the 

 officers had a right, if not to fix the salaries which should be al- 

 lowed men of science, at least to protest against their compensa- 

 tion exceeding a certain amount per annum. I am not aware how 

 many you may have found to echo this opinion, as I have never 

 myself heard any such language from the profession. 



You know how many there are and who they are who hold 

 such doctrine. I have no wish to learn the former or designate 

 the latter ; but, taking you as the authority, we are bound to be- 

 lieve that such sentiments are entertained, and that the ardour of 

 the service has been somewhat cooled towards the enterprise on 

 that account. Permit me to say, sir, that the worst enemy of the 

 navy could adopt no measure more injurious to its interests than 

 that of fomenting causeless jealousy between the officer and the 

 citizen in the few and far-between instances in which they are 

 brought together on duty. The title of citizen, sir, is a proud 

 title. This is a country of citizens. Citizens make the navy, 

 increase or diminish it at their pleasure, appoint and support its 

 officers, and will judge them ! ! For every year he is on active 

 duty, an officer may be two on shore, receiving pay in the latter 



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