306 LETTERS OF A CITIZEN. 



tific corps. Why have they not been called together, and their du- 

 ties assigned them, and facilities given for the various and extensive 

 preparations necessary for their respective departments, in pursu- 

 ance of the written request or order of the late energetic executive, 

 under date of February 25th last ? No one knows better than you 

 that the late executive was fully resolved that the expedition, both 

 in its civil and naval departments, so far as he was concerned, should 

 go to sea wanting in nothing that could tend to promote its ultimate 

 object and triumphant success. It never occurred to his lofty and 

 indomitable spirit that petty excuses would be made by any offi- 

 cer of his for delays in a great undertaking ; nor did he wish that 

 the scientific corps should be sent on board at the hour of sailing 

 like a guard of marines. Of his share in this expedition I shall 

 hereafter have occasion to speak. You cannot soon forget it, nor 

 the manner in which he used to stir you up, as you have often 

 complained of what he made you do. Well do you know that 

 even in sickness he did not lose sight of the expedition ; and, had 

 his wishes been complied with, the expedition would now be doub- 

 ling the cape, and every one engaged in the enterprise full of 

 hopes of having immediate opportunities of fulfilling their coun- 

 try's expectations. 



I shall reserve many things for future consideration, and now 

 pass to your last attempt to strangle the expedition. Now, at the 

 eleventh hour of the thirteenth moon of the expedition, a new de- 

 vice is got up by you, if not to destroy it altogether, for that you 

 cannot do, yet to cut it down, derange its plans, and thereby ren- 

 der it inadequate to meet the expectations of Congress, of the late 

 executive, and of the whole country. 



You have now appointed a board of naval officers, consisting of 

 Commodores Chauncey, Morris, Warrington, Patterson, and Wads- 

 worth, to assist you in making up your mind on the proper means 

 requisite for the exploring expedition. These are all honourable 

 men, whose merits and virtues have been tried and found true and 

 trusty in days gone by ; and a most ungracious duty have you as- 

 signed them. Deceive not yourself, sir, the intelligence, the spirit, 

 and pride of the country have been awakened upon this subject, 

 and will not sleep again ; and long, and deep, and withering will be 

 the denunciations against the man or men who shall lay Vandal 





