136 LETTERS OF A CITIZEN. 



prise, and the number of its scientific observers, with equal surprise 

 and derision. They would recollect that, forty years ago, France, 

 with her finances disordered and energies apparently taxed to the 

 utmost by a long and expensive war, and England, when similarly 

 situated, both sent out splendid expeditions of discovery. The 

 former detailed a numerous corps of savans, which accompanied 

 the memorable army of Egypt, requiring that particular attention 

 should be paid to facilitating their labours. 



They will remember, moreover, that whatever the military re- 

 nown which was reaped by France on the Egyptian plains, it was 

 not greater or more imperishable than that which accrued from the 

 investigations of its scientific attacliees into the natural history, the 

 topography, the antiquities of the country. With these reminis- 

 cences they would be excusable in receiving the news of such an 

 imjustiiiable sacrifice as that proposed, though urged on the plea 

 of economy (after the whole expense of preparation had been in- 

 curred), with feelings as much akin to contempt as astonishment. 



In my next I will hold you to a comparison of this expedition 

 with what " the maritime powers of Europe have done ;" and will 

 show that, if the naval appropriation for 1838 must be reduced, 

 the exploring squadron is the last object to which, if we have a 

 due regard for our interest and honour, that reduction should be 

 suffered to apply. 



I have the honour to be, 



Very respectfully, your fellow 



CITIZEN. 



N«w-york, January 1, 1838 



XII. 



To the Honourable Mahlon Dickerson, Secretary of the Navy. 



Sir, 

 Had you been more specific in your frequent allusions to the 

 expeditions sent out by the maritime powers of Europe, from be. 

 hind the models of which you so frequently assail the arrange- 

 ments made for the first similar enterprise from this country, it 

 liAd been a much easier task to meet and confute you ; it had 



