LETTERS OF A CITIZEN. 391 



sir, when they had everything to originate and determine ; to fix 

 on models for vessels ; to range the country for timber ; cordage 

 to manufacture ; copper to import ; cannon to cast ; but now, 

 when a board of naval commissioners are in constant session to 

 price and purchase all materials ; when naval architects are ap- 

 pointed, and " all appliances and means" are in readiness, we hear 

 of the " difficulties of your situation," " the imposition of new 

 duties," and other wild phantoms of the imagination born only in 

 the brain ! 



There is one way to throw off the burden of these " new du- 

 ties" and " responsibilities," which I will point out, and which the 

 whole community, and especially the naval service, would feel 

 much pleasure in seeing adopted ; resign, sir, a station, the duties 

 of which, from your own showing, you find it so difficult, if not 

 impossible, to perform ! But, before you take this step, do let 

 the country know in detail how the naval service has been "seri- 

 ously injured" by the exploring expedition. In other countries 

 such undertakings have been considered most honourable to the 

 naval profession. 



As regards the French expedition, intended to sail on the 15th 

 of this month, and which your dilatory action has allowed to pre- 

 cede the American, such is said to be the enthusiasm elicited that 

 some of the most promising youth in the kingdom have volun- 

 teered their services even before the mast ; while you hold up a 

 similar enterprise as degrading to the officers of our navy ! 



Perhaps you meant the following incongruity as evidence that 

 the expedition has been of the most " serious injury to the service :" 



" Nor is it strange that he (the secretary of the navy) should 

 be opposed to the manner in which the provision for the exploring 

 expedition was introduced into the general appropriation bill for 

 the navy? 



" 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 eocpedition ; and there it remained, loaded 

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

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

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

 barrassed for want of the appropriations? 



This is not the first time I have heard of your high displeasure 



