LETTERS OF A FRIEND TO THE NAVY. 357 



Early in the session this bill had been sent from the House of 

 Representatives to the Senate ; there an amendment was pro- 

 posed authorizing this expedition ; and there it remained, loaded 

 with this rider, until nearly the time of passing the bill on the 

 18th of May, 1836, more than five months after the commence- 

 ment of the session, and when the naval service was greatly em- 

 barrassed for want of the appropriations ; for not a dollar had 

 been appropriated for this service from the beginning of the ses- 

 sion until this time. 



Much delay has taken place in consequence of the condition of 

 these vessels ; but all difficulties as to the vessels can be removed 

 in time for sending out the expedition so as to double Cape Horn 

 at the most favourable season of the year. The two barks can be 

 so altered as to make them fit for this service, and the schooner, 

 should the officers place no confidence in her, can be left, and 

 another substituted ; and even the additional ship which Commo- 

 dore Jones now requires can be procured, should it be deemed 

 necessary. 



There is, however, a serious difficulty in the case not men- 

 tioned by the "Citizen," but produced in no small degree by him- 

 self, which requires examination : that is, the general disincli- 

 nation, on the part of the officers of the navy, to engage in this ex- 

 pedition, which arises, in part, from an impression that this is con- 

 sidered the expedition of an individual rather than of the country ; 

 and from the circumstance that two meritorious and scientific of- 

 ficers were excluded from the command of two of the smaller 

 vessels of the squadron. 



The officers of the navy are probably afraid that, from the 

 published opinions of various distinguished gentlemen of the 

 transcendent claims of Mr. , that he will have an undue in- 

 fluence in the movements of the squadron, as that of doubling 

 Cape Horn in June and July ; approaching too nearly to the 

 verge of this said opening of sixteen degrees around the pole, or 

 some other movements to test the truth of his strange theories. 



These fears have not been removed by the displays of science 



in Mr. 's published address, in which he informs the world 



that " the great improvements in mathematical instruments have 

 made the path of the mariner in the darkest night, and amid rush- 



