LETTERS OF A CITIZEN. 27 



brethren, though such pretensions be endorsed by you, the hon- 

 ourable secretary of the navy. 



But I will not dwell long on a position so untenable. It was 

 only assumed, in common with many others, to increase the weight 

 of your opposition to the measure at the last session, by adding 

 professional prejudice to your other weapons of attack. 



How infinitely more worthy and becoming in you, the head of 

 the department, had you either checked the first expression of 

 this disorganizing spirit, or given it a more noble direction. Why 

 did you not point out to these gentlemen that it would soon be 

 regarded as a reproach to the navy if a hydrographical bureau 

 were not established in your department ? But perhaps we should 

 overlook your omissions of this nature, when the increase of the 

 forces to be led against the expedition was the paramount consid- 

 eration in your mind. 



I do not feel it a part of my present duty to dwell particularly 

 on the various difficulties which have occurred between the naval 

 officers, although I think I could give the public some additional 

 light as regards the part you have had in fomenting those dissen- 

 sions, and shall do so whenever such a course may seem expedi- 

 ent or necessary. 



In my next I shall take up that section of your annual report 

 which alludes to the expedition. 



Very respectfully, 



Your obedient servant and fellow 



CITIZEN 



New-York, July 17, 1837. 



V. 



To the Honourable Mahlon Dickerson, Secretary of the Navy, 



Sir, 

 In your annual report to the president, under December 3, 

 1836, we find, for the first time, a faint and shadowy type of the 

 assertion which, since that period, you have so confidently put 

 forth, that the South Sea expedition was an enterprise having no 

 connexion with the protection of our commerce. Thus, speaking 



