62 LETTERS OF A CITIZEN- 



similitude in style and language, the familiarity with which refer- 

 ence was made to reports and instructions not yet made public^ 

 together with certain allusions to doings and intentions of the de- 

 partment which could be known to yourself alone, I could not 

 help imbibing the belief, here quite current, that the author or 

 " Friend to the Navy" was a personage high in place, who spoke 

 as one having authority. This circumstance, I thought, might 

 elevate to the dignity of deserving a notice compositions which, 

 without such adventitious aid, were absolutely beneath criticism, 

 and could only be attributed to a high source by supposing the in- 

 cumbent utterly incompetent to discharge the important duties of 

 his station. 



This is a melancholy reflection, and no less melancholy is the 

 task of noticing at all the defence of such a champion of the hon- 

 ourable secretary of the navy. 



" A narrative of facts not generally known" is promised in the 

 beginning by your defender. Has any narrative been given, sir, 

 which impairs the force of the charges I have brought against you ; 

 charges of which the justice is felt and acknowledged by all who 

 have had anything to do with your department or an opportunity 

 of seeing your tardy, insincere, and reluctant action in fitting out 

 the expedition ? 



Why was your defence, in point of time, commenced from the 

 late period when Lieutenant Tatnall returned in the Pioneer from 

 the coast of Mexico, ten months after the passage of the bill, and 

 more than eighteen months after you had set vour mighty ener- 

 gies to work for the purpose of preventing the expedition being 

 authorized ? What was your official action in the premises during 

 that period ? Why has not this point been met and explained 

 away ? Sir, do you suppose the community blind ? Do you flat- 

 ter yourself that you can roll bach, even assisted by the jyuissant 

 arm of " A Friend to the Navy," the current of public reprehension 

 which your official career has called down upon you? Make the 

 cfl'ort, sir, and preserve yourself if you can. 



The Pioneer was reported unfit for tlie expedition, and Com- 

 modore Jones, at his own request, was directed to make an ex- 

 perimental cruise. That cruise was made, and its result inspired 

 the commander with confidence in liis vessels, or, as you say, he 

 " reported favourably of the vessels." I have seen a letter written 



