LETTERS OF A FRIEND TO THE NATY. 55 



be some reduction in the million and a half of dollars which this 

 exploring expedition is about to cost us. 



The " Citizen" accuses the secretary of the navy of deceiving 

 the commissioners as to the objects of the expedition. 



The objects stated to the commissioners are the same as vv^ere 

 stated in the report of the 6th February, laid before the House of 

 Representatives, and not disapproved of by them. 



The commissioners were informed that the cruise of the ex- 

 ploring expedition would continue three years ; that its objects 

 would be chiefly to explore the oceans and seas of the Southern 

 Hemisphere, more particularly in high latitudes, and in regions as 

 near the pole as may be approached without danger. 



That some portions of the Pacific north of the equator might 

 probably be visited by the squadron, or some part of it. 



That the scientific corps to be attached to this expedition would 

 consist of from fourteen to eighteen individuals, whose duty it 

 would be to make in the regions to be explored all practicable sur- 

 veys and observations of the same, with such accurate descrip- 

 tions and drawings as may be most useful for the purposes of 

 navigation and commerce ; and to make such researches as the 

 opportunities of the expedition would afford in all branches of 

 science, which have attracted the attention of the governments of 

 Europe in fitting out expeditions of a like character with this. 



Surely this embraces enough for the consideration of the com- 

 missioners, whose professional experience enables them to deter- 

 mine with accuracy what is meant by the terms surveying and 

 exploring expedition. 



The duties to be performed under the commander of the squad- 

 ron will be pointed out to him in detail in his final instructions, 

 but need not be communicated to the commissioners. 



The " Citizen" thinks the vessels of this squadron should have 

 been sent out long since, fit or unfit for the service, for he says 

 the expedition should " now be doubling the cape, and every one 

 engaged in the enterprise full of hopes of having immediate op- 

 portunities of fulfilling their country's expectations." 



Now, although it is very pleasant weather here in June and July, 

 it is quite the reverse at Cape Horn ; it is winter there, and the 

 ofiicers of the navy would prefer a different season for doubling 

 the cape, if a " Citizen" will permit them. 



