72 LETTERS OF A CITIZEN. 



without Stopping to consider what month will bring them off the 

 cape. Niinnbers of our fellow-citizens engaged in other occupa- 

 tions, and that, too, not unfrequently, in vessels little larger than 

 pilot-boats, make the passage at all seasons. But these are mer- 

 chantmeriy and the " officers of the navy," says their judicious 

 friend, " would prefer a different season for doubling the cape" 

 than the terrible months of June and July. It is to be hoped they 

 will exhibit a due sense of gratitude to the friend who kindly 

 makes known to the world his endeavours to gratify them in so 

 commendable a preference. How you can think of allowing offi- 

 cers to go as near as possible to the South Pole, whose lives you 

 would not risk in doubling the cape in winter, I have yet to learn. 

 In conclusion, if you have any influence with " A Friend to the 

 Navy," advise him to keep his temper, as well as more closely to 

 his text ; counsel him to be careful how he wages a war personal 

 and vindictive with me. I have thus far confined myself to the 

 record, and the subject at issue between us ; tell him that whether 

 I am Mr. This or Mr. That is no concern of his. I have to do 

 with you and with the expedition ; let him answer for you as he 

 can, but inform him that shrinking from the main points of a con- 

 troversy, and the substitution of personalities for arguments, are 

 ever the dernier resort of a puerile, malignant, and defeated adver- 

 sary. Should it ever be discovered that such subterfuges were 

 used by a person high in place, they will be considered little to 

 his credit. People will be apt to say that the thick integuments 

 of his conscience had been penetrated ; that he felt the sling, and 

 was writhing under the merited chastisement of " Citizen," whose 

 homethrusts have told exactly where he wished, and the public 

 good required that they should tell. 



With great respect, I have the honour to be 



Your most obedient servant and fellow 



CITIZEN. 



New-York, August 18, 1837. 



