46 LETTERS OF A FRIEND TO THE NAVY. 



correcting those statements by a narrative of facts not generally 

 known, and which must be understood before any just opinion 

 can be formed of the charges exhibited by this citizen against the 

 secretary of the navy. 



In consequence of a report of Lieutenant Tattnall, on his return 

 from a cruise to the coast of Mexico in the Pioneer, one of the 

 barks which had been constructed for the South Sea surveying 

 and exploring expedition, that she was unfit for the service ; and 

 from reports from various quarters that the schooner Pilot, built 

 for the same expedition, was a dull sailer, as well as an unsafe 

 vessel, Commodore Jones was instructed to make an experimental 

 cruise with the Pioneer and Pilot, together with the bark Con- 

 sort, in order to ascertain how far those vessels might be consid- 

 ered as safe and proper for this expedition. After an absence of 

 eight days Commodore Jones returned and reported favourably 

 of the vessels, but recommended that they should be taken into 

 drydock and examined ; in consequence of which. Commodores 

 Chauncey, Morris, Warrington, Patterson, and Wadsworth were 

 appointed commissioners to examine into the condition of those 

 vessels, and further to inquire whether the exploring squadron 

 could not be reduced in number of vessels and men with advan- 

 tage to the country, and without prejudice to the great objects of 

 the expedition. 



This measure has excited the rage of this " Citizen," who, in 

 your paper of the 29th of June, and of subsequent dates, comes 

 out in a virulent attack upon the professional character and con- 

 duct of the secretary of the navy, accusing him of a total neglect 

 of duty in promoting the expedition, and of being governed by 

 motives of hostility to the measure. He further accuses him of 

 a wish to defeat the enterprise by reducing the squadron to a 

 smaller compass, and of deceiving the commissioners as to the 

 great objects of the expedition. 



This angry " Citizen" is, no doubt, Mr. , who has suc- 

 ceeded in producing an impression through the country that this 

 is his expedition ; an impression much strengthened by the publi- 

 cation, in October last, of his address, delivered on the 3d of April 

 of the last year in the hall of the House of Representatives be- 

 fore members of the two houses of Congress and others, together 

 with letters addressed to him on the subject of this expedition, in 



