122 LETTERS OF A CITIZEN. 



tibn from which it emanated. You spoke to him of what other 

 countries had done, and he told you what this country should, do. 

 In proof of his design that the enterprise should be all that its 

 best friends desired, behold your own words, quoted from your 

 annual report in 1836, in which you vouch for the late president's 

 liberal sentiments in the following conclusive statement : 



".4^, however, it ivas your earnest wish that the intentions Oj 

 Congress in authorizing this measure should he carried into ef- 

 fect xuith the least possible delay, and that the expedition should 

 befitted out on the extensive and liberal scale which the indica- 

 tions of public opinion seemed to require,'''' &c., &c. 



And how have you fulfilled, how are you now fulfilling, the 

 wishes of the late head of the nation ? But I forbear ! The prin- 

 cipal appointments in the corps were made twelve months ago, 

 and its members severally accepted their commissions. Relin- 

 quishing all other employments, they iield themselves in readiness 

 for active service at a moment's warning; and Congress, at the 

 last session, made provision for their pay for 1837. Some of these 

 gentlemen were connected with the most respectable institutions 

 in the country ; and others, to my knowledge, had refused pro- 

 fessorships. From December to the 4lh of July last you kept 

 them in suspense, and without salary; although each of them, du- 

 ring that interval, was more or less employed, in some instances 

 under the authority of your department, in labours having direct 

 reference to their duties as members of the scientific corps. 



" Thousands at his bidding speed, 

 Who post o'er land and ocean without rest : 

 They also serve who only stand and wait." 



But I waive, for the present, further details respecting this por- 

 tion of your official conduct, as I wish to speak of the organiza- 

 tion of the corps. 



There is no part of the preparations of this expedition, sir, more 

 commendable, in every respect, than the arrangements made for 

 scientific research. To enlarge on the utility of such observation 

 would be insulting to the intelligence of all who pretend to keep 

 pace with the intellectual progress of the age. The science of 

 the whole country, individually and collectively, is deeply con- 

 cerned in the result of the expedition. Its votaries have looked 

 forward with pride to the not distant day when this country should 



