LETTERS OF A CITIZEN. 479 



trait painters were trifles in your estimation not worth a thought, 

 and though, like the others, provided at the public expense, were 

 sent to the right-about. 



What I have here stated as fact, not one word of which can 

 be controverted or shaken, is sufficient, one would imagine, to 

 place you in an attitude not very enviable before the science of your 

 country. I think, furthermore, that you are fairly fixed upon one 

 of the horns of the dilemma tendered for your choice ; but, as I 

 mean to bind you to it for the remainder of your life, I shall re- 

 sume the subject in my next. In the mean time, I am, 

 Very respectfully, your fellow 



CITIZEN. 



XVIH. 



To the Honourable Joel R. Poinsett, Secretary of War. 



SIR, 



In the concluding portion of my last letter I alluded to the 

 rude hand you had laid upon the scientific corps, and to the Goth- 

 ic spirit you had evinced in reference to the departments which you 

 had determined were unworthy of being represented in that body. 



I need not inform you that the savans of all Europe looked with 

 lively interest to the results of the expedition, and the announce- 

 ment of its authorization to the London Geographical Society, 

 while in session, was received by that distinguished body with en- 

 thusiastic cheers. The liberality of Congress, and the efficient or- 

 ganization sanctioned by President Jackson, were especially re- 

 garded as highly honourable to our national character. You had 

 often expressed great solicitude yourself for the success of the en- 

 terprise. So had Mahlon Dickerson, when it suited his purpose, 

 while he was doing all that he dared, if not all that he could, to 

 break down the undertaking. What he had not the strength or 

 weight of character to accomplish, you have the glory of having 

 in part effected. Are my remarks too general ? Have patience, 

 sir, and I will gratify you with a few details, which, perchance, 

 may prove more palatable. 



In the opinion of your commodore selected, we are told, for his 



