CORRESPONDENCE. 





NEW YORK, July 16, 1836. 



MY DEAR SIR Judging from the announcement in the "Globe," 

 which reached me yesterday, I should conclude that the main 

 difficulty was now at an end; and that your appointment to the 

 station of corresponding secretary, in the intended South Sea expe- 

 dition, must be regarded as a sure proof of the high favour in which 

 you stand with our Executive. Nor has this favour been mis- 



d 



placed. If I know you well, (and our long acquaintance leads me 

 to think that I have some claim to that privilege,) no one could 

 have been selected, as the head of the scientific corps, better calcu- 

 lated to bring all things into full and efficient operation, and to 

 direct them in such a way as must lead to ultimate success. A 

 mere naval officer would never have answered for such a post. A 

 mere civilian would have been equally unfit. An individual was 

 required, who should be conversant with both elements, and in 

 whom enlarged and liberal views should be found, not the result of 

 information obtained from others, but the offspring of his own ma- 

 tured and manly intellect. I am glad to find that our Executive 

 had the good sense and discrimination to select such an individual, 

 and to scorn all the petty and disreputable influence, which sought 

 to confer on another what, in honest fairness, was alone due to 

 yourself. It would have been too bad, although, at the same time, 

 but too much in accordance with the ordinary routine of life, for 

 another to have reaped the harvest of praise, after your untiring 

 labours had fostered so goodly a crop. Let me congratulate you, 

 then, my friend, on this auspicious commencement, and, in so doing, 



