INTRODUCTION. 



had borne in silence his unprovoked hostility to myself. I had seen, 

 with deep mortification, impediments wilfully thrown in the way of 

 Commodore Jones, the particulars of which, in justice to that offi- 

 cer, I hope will one day see the light. I at once resolved to ar- 

 raign the secretary at the bar of public opinion, regardless of all 

 consequences to myself. Of this determination I informed a mem- 

 ber of the cabinet on the eve of my departure for this city. If I 

 have been severe upon the secretary in my letters, it will be seen 

 that, in his defence, he waived the dignity of high station for the 

 luxury of being scurrilous towards me. I have given him the ben- 

 efit of that defence, by inserting his letters entire. With these re- 

 marks I refer the reader to the correspondence between " Citizen" 

 and "A Friend to the Navy." 



Of the remaining letters, addressed to Joel R. Poinsett, I have 

 only a word or two to say ; indeed, they explain themselves. 

 When the support of President Van Buren could no longer sustain 

 Secretary Dickerson against the current of public opinion and the 

 almost universal censure of the press, without reference to party, 

 Secretary Poinsett came in to perform his part ; and I cheerfully 

 leave the public to judge of the manner in which he performed 

 his duty, and of the meed of praise to which he is entitled. 



I have carefully noted all that has been made public of the 

 movements of the expedition since its departure. Several of its 

 best officers have returned, disgusted with the weakness, vanity, 

 and overbearing deportment of its commander. We are told 

 that a Southern Continent has been discovered. Sincerely did I 

 rejoice at this intelligence ; but mortification was mingled with my 

 pleasure when I learned that our flag had coasted sixteen hundred 

 miles of coast without a landing having been effected, and that, 

 instead of planting the Stripes and Stars high on the mountain top 

 which any Stonington sealer could have done the commander 

 contented himself with detaching a few particles of rock from the 

 floating ice around him. 



The scientific corps, though labouring under many disadvantages, 

 will return laden with rich treasures in science ; and, on the whole, 

 I think it may be fairly anticipated that the expedition will effect 

 enough to show what might have been accomplished had it been 

 permitted to depart unmutilated, and under more experienced and 

 able supervision. 



