118 CORRESPONDENCE. 



and though the " British drum may hail the dawn, every hour of 

 the day," let the moral light of the American nation illumine 

 every sea. 



You may call me a dreamer ; (but mark me, this is no dream,) 

 and if you do, I can bear almost anything from you. But ever 

 since our baby expedition of the Annawan, that lovely little sea- 

 bird, I have entertained great hopes from the future exertions, to 

 the same point, of an efficient equipment. 



There is a rumor, a kind of inarticulate whisper, which some- 

 times intimates that you may not hold the position you deserve in 

 this high adventure ; but those who would wish it, and, perhaps, 

 wish me to give words and form to their own " misgivings," find 

 no response. I do not even understand them, for I cannot be- 

 lieve it. Ever since I heard your lecture here on the whale fish- 

 try, as connected with the Annawan's expedition, to say nothing 

 of our many long and social conferences, and found that an Ohio 

 boy (excuse me, for we are apt to play, if we do not feel the old 

 man, when we deal with our juniors,) could teach the descendants 

 of Nantucket something of their own craft, I have had only one 

 opinion, and that is, that you ought to hold a prominent place in 

 the enterprise. For, let there be power, skill, and science com- 

 bined, together with the highest moral qualities our navy affords ; 

 and all these things must be, still, without that enthusiastic devo- 

 tion and love of adventure, which would give soul to the under- 

 taking, it would not be so likely to succeed. Yet, if there be any 

 truth in these things, let me know it ; and though I will not pro- 

 fess much, I could send you a good voice from the east. And if 

 you should wish my services, you will find me in Boston again 

 the last of this month. I expect to leave here the next week for 

 Hartford, and, after passing a few days there, shall bring up at 

 the council chamber of old Massachusetts on the 28th of June. 

 Our governor makes short sessions, and I shall have plenty of 

 time for you. We shall probably sit till after the 4th of July, and 



