320 LETTERS OF A CITIZEN. 



country and any of the first maritime powers of Europe, this gov- 

 ernment would be compelled to dash her frigates, if not her larger 

 vessels, into the waters to which I refer ? There she has a com- 

 merce ; and where her commerce is, there must be her navy and 

 her ocean conflicts also. What would be thought of your present 

 policy in such an emergency ? and what would be thought of those 

 naval officers who have echoed your sentiments upon the subject 1 

 We are now at peace with the world, and this is the season to 

 acquire that knowledge which would most assuredly be needed 

 and most valuable in the event of war. 



One thing is certain ; were I the enemy, 1 should count upon 

 rich prizes in the Pacific before any vessel fitted out by your di- 

 rection could reach me. I should anticipate at least twelve 

 months uninterrupted pickings among the American whalers ; 

 and even then, in consequence of La Perouse having been lost, 

 I should expect nothing more formidable than a sloop-of-war to 

 come after me among the islands ! 



But why should I consume more time in exposing this part of 

 your official delinquencies ? You cannot defend yourself. Your 

 maladministration is indefensible. Why, sir, you cannot open 

 the document containing the authority under which you act with- 

 out seeing, on every page of the Senate's report, a complete refu- 

 tation of the extraordinary position you have assumed. 



You cannot look over the columns of speeches made by mem- 

 bers, explaining the true objects of the enterprise, without meet- 

 ing a withering rebuke. Allow me to commend to your attention 

 a speech of singular ability, made on this subject by Mr. Hamar, 

 of Ohio ; it has been published in all quarters of the Union. Per- 

 haps the enlarged and statesman-like views it exhibits may render 

 it, though not incomprehensible, at least unpalatable to you. Nor 

 does Mr. Hamar stand alone. Mr. Vinton, indeed the whole del- 

 egation from the state of Ohio, have ever stood as one man upon 

 this subject. Their weight and influence have told, and, if need 

 be, will again tell ! 



But the most extraordinary part of this story remains to be dis- 

 closed. After all we have seen in the character of your in- 

 structions to the naval board, and the object proposed by those 

 instructions, what will the community think when informed of 

 the fact that, for a considerable time after the expedition had been 



