394 LETTERS OF A CITIZEN. 



quently as convenient, allow them an opportunity of putting their 

 ardour and courage to the proof. I should think under your di 

 rection we might venture to fight Mexico, or, perchance, one of 

 the Neapolitan states ! 



From this lofty martial tone " A Friend to the Navy" comes 

 down to the use of language which evidently shows the contempt 

 with which he would inspire the profession for all the duties of 

 the service save " battle." Hear him. 



"Respect is due to the pride and feelings of gallant officers oj 

 whom unusual, unexpected, and subordinate duties are required. 

 Great additions will be made to science highly interesting to gen- 

 tlemen engaged in making discoveries, and highly honourable to 

 the country ; but somewhat irksome to officers performing a sub- 

 ordinate part in these operations, and who aspire to service more 

 properly belonging to their professional duties" 



" To such labours and discoveries no more force should be 

 employed, than what is absolutely necessary" Can any one read 

 the above extracts, and fail to perceive the obvious design of the 

 writer ? Would you not be ashamed to append your name to a 

 document containing such sentiments ? You have at all times 

 urged the reluctance of officers to enter this service ; do not the 

 foregoing quotations convict the writer of unworthy efforts to 

 produce that very feeling ? Have you not frequently predicted 

 that disagreement and bickerings would occur between the offi- 

 cers and naturalists ; and do not the passages transcribed prove 

 the full intentions of the author to bring about the very evils you 

 have prophesied ? Does the functionary who is capable of la- 

 bouring with such intent deserve the cognomen of " A Friend to 

 the Navy ?" 



Is it an irksome and subordinate duty to protect the commercial 

 interests of our country ; to explore new regions ; .succour cast- 

 away seamen ; make charts of harbours ; survey dangerous pas- 

 sages and important groups of islands ; to " bind down the strong 

 arm of the mutineer ;" hold conferences with the natives ; in- 

 crease our trade ; and render more secure the lives of our marin- 

 ers ? All these, you would teach, are but "subordinate" duties, 

 and quite beneath the ambition of men who have entered " the 

 service with the hope of distinguishing themselves in battle ! ! ! !" 



Why have you not been more explicit in pointing out wherein 



