LETTERS OF A CITIZEN. 119 



peated each year on different meridians, great acquisitions could 

 and would be made to our present knowledge of the southern 

 seas, and the nation would be reimbursed for its outlay by the 

 opening of new channels of trade in animal furs. 



Sir, talk as you may about the expense of the undertaking, the 

 country owes the amount, ten times told, for the revenue collected 

 from the varied trade in the regions alluded to ; a revenue ob- 

 tained without the expenditure of a dollar for the protection of the 

 contributors thereto. But even if the debt were not already due 

 to the unaided enterprise of our citizens, the benefits which must 

 follow would repav, with noble interest, the expenses incurred. 

 WIio, then, that looks at the great national purposes to be attained, 

 will assert that the force prepared is too large ? Sir, it should be 

 increased by two more small vessels of one hundred and thirty 

 tons each, if any alteration be made ; and this, too, Aviih reference 

 to ils important naval and hydrographical labours, which are the 

 primary and paramount objects that led to the action of Congress. 

 I have yet to speak of the corps of naturalists w^hich has been or- 

 ganized. What, in harmonious action with the naval officers, 

 may be expected from that corps 1 I undertake to show that no 

 comparison with " the most successful expeditions of like charac- 

 ter heretofore sent out by the maritime powers of Europe" will 

 justify a reduction of their numbers. Sir, I will go into the com- 

 parison anon in all its bearings, and you shall be welcome to 

 all the support you can draw from it. Upon the issue of that 

 comparison the friends of the expedition might fearlessly rest 

 their cause, as in it they will find a triumphant vindication of 

 what they have done and propose to do, notwithstanding the com- 

 mission you appointed in June last have told us that, had they 

 " been called upon before any preparations had been made, to 

 state the number and character of the vessels ivhich, in their 

 opinion, would be best calculated to secure the attainment of these 

 proposed objects, they certainly rcould not have recommended 

 those ivhich have been prepared:' Sir, I am astonished that you 

 should have introduced this isolated sentence in your report to 

 the president aixl Congress, though I can readily perceive the 

 motive for doing so. What, sir, were the " proposed objects," 

 for the attainment of which that board of officers would have rec- 

 ommended a different force ? The public will see when the in- 



