LETTERS OF A CITIZEN. 457 



with the South Sea Exploring Expedition ; and I regret sincerely 

 that the subject is not a more inviting one. 



It may here be proper to state, that about the time Captain 

 Gregory was relieved from the command, or, more correctly speak- 

 ing, superseded, an impression prevailed to a considerable extent 

 that the older officers of the navy had not shown a becoming read- 

 iness to take charge of the expedition, and that they had success- 

 ively declined or evaded the service, on grounds incompatible with 

 professional duty and ambition. As a general charge, I leave this 

 point in media ; while in many instances I know the imputation 

 to be alike wanton, ungenerous, and unjust. I know farther, and 

 so do you, that the extraordinary selection finally made was justi- 

 fied on this assumption in derogation of older officers. It was so 

 intimated on the floor of the Senate, in the quasi defence which, 

 from a few weak points, you received there. Many members of 

 Congress were under this impression, and were not a little in- 

 fluenced by it, in maintaining silence when they saw the rules 

 of the service and the rights of the officers alike trampled on by 

 your appointment. Sir, did you not give currency to this impres- 

 sion ? Will you deny having done so 1 Did you not say that 

 the older officers had received a rebuke or lesson from which they 

 might profit in future ? And what atonement have you made, or 

 can you make, personally, to those you have so deeply injured ? 

 You have paltered, in a double sense, with truth and honour : what 

 I charge I'll fix upon you. The appointment of your commander 

 was justified on the ground that his seniors and superiors declined 

 the service. Now mark how plain a tale shall put you down. 



Sir, neither you nor Governor Dickerson dare deny that Captain 

 Kearney did agree to take charge of the squadron substantially as 

 Commodore Jones left it ; that he agreed to take the whole scien- 

 tific corps nay, refused to object to them, as it was more than in- 

 timated to him that he might ; that he asked no change in 

 commanders, and only required that Lieutenant Gedn'--,- 

 taught Lieutenant Wilkes the rudiments of hydrography ; 



be appointed second in command on board the Macedoni 'int 

 Governor Dickerson did agree to and ratify this arrangement ; that 

 Captain Kearney, with that promptness peculiar to his character, 

 on the strength of the authority given, actually directed Lieutenant 

 Gedney forthwith to prepare letters to Messrs. Lieutenants Dornin 

 U 



