LETTERS OF A CITIZEN* 411 



sailed. Your annual report shows the quo animo with which you 

 still regard it. New commissions are to sit in judgment upon it ; 

 the delusive impression is still to be kept alive, that a reduction 

 of its force would render it more efficient and more likely to se- 

 cure the important objects for which it was authorized. Is this 

 true ? Why are you not more explicit ? Why do you not state 

 what force you would substitute, and show the manner in which 

 the great purposes of the enterprise can be fulfilled by that force ? 

 Sir, there is no organization that would suit you. I remember 

 that, three years ago, you were hostile to the measure in every 

 shape and form. I recollect that the year following, when the 

 legislature of New-Jersey passed a resolution recommending it to 

 the favourable notice of Congress, you so modified your hostility 

 as to consent to have the word " exploration" inserted in the gen- 

 eral navy appropriation bill for 1836. You would not, even then, 

 listen to the suggestion of an expedition being especially provided 

 for, but said you would send out one or two small vessels, to act 

 under the orders of the commanders of the Pacific squadron. 

 These were your enlarged notions of a great national enterprise ; 

 an enterprise in which we were to make our debut in the field of 

 maritime discovery; and these opinions you expressed in my 

 presence, and in conversation with me. 



Sir, the truth is, and of this you are well aware, that, from the 

 beginning to the end, in your private as well as official capacity, 

 you have been an enemy to the undertaking, and never omitted 

 any effort that could retard or tend to defeat it. I do not assert 

 that you have been bold and manly in your opposition. Far from 

 it. At first your attack was open ; but, as the current of public 

 opinion began to set strongly in favour of the measure, and the 

 pride, and intelligence, and science of the country became enlisted 

 in its behalf, your opposition assumed a more covert form. You 

 now, on many occasions, professed yourself friendly to the expe- 

 dition, but then all was wrong about it; another organization 

 would have been the right one ; and every available incident was 

 made a plea for delay. If an officer wished to disconnect him- 

 self from the exploring squadron, his wish was almost anticipa- 

 ted ; if another, from Missouri, was desirous of joining it, he could 

 have permission to do so, provided he bore his own expenses to 

 Boston. Was an excuse wanted for the tardiness of your depart 



