LETTERS OP A CITIZEN. 499 



tails. The noblest reward of the noblest minds is self-approval in 

 the contemplation of the past. Few, I opine, will be envious of 

 the little consolation in store for you from such a source. Reflect 

 on the position you occupy, the high expectation which your for- 

 mer character had inspired, the opportunity and power you pos- 

 sessed of bringing order out of chaos, of securing the gratitude of 

 the navy, the thanks of the country, and the homage of the lovers 

 of science, not only at home, but in every portion of the civilized 

 world ; and then contemplate, if you can, without feeling your 

 cheeks burn with shame, the attitude in which you have placed 

 yourself by acting as a tender to Mahlon Dickerson. In the re- 

 jection of Mr. Randall, if you do not plead consummate ignorance, 

 then are you self-convicted of gross neglect of official duty. Such 

 is the dilemma, remember, upon one horn of which you are doom- 

 ed to hang during the remainder of your days ; and, while thus 

 hanging, the label pinned upon you shall read, " Be it known, at 

 home and abroad, that to the Honourable Joel R. Poinsett exclu- 

 sively belongs the unenviable distinction of having laid the last 

 hostile hand upon a noble enterprise, designed to enrich the field 

 and enlarge the boundaries of human knowledge." 



In your estimation, the department of entomology was not wor- 

 thy of a representative on board a great national expedition, de- 

 signed by Congress to be perfect in all its details, and for which 

 the most ample funds had been provided. Would that in charity 

 I could believe you had no just or adequate conception of the vast 

 range of research embraced by this rejected branch. Sir, it is not 

 for the purpose of inflicting pain on you that I write. But, while 

 I could feel no pleasure in beholding you writhe and your lips lick 

 the dust in contrition, still I owe a duty to the cause of science, 

 which you have rudely trampled upon, and to the feelings and 

 pride of the service, which you have grossly injured and insulted, 

 that will not permit me to suffer you to escape unwhipped of 

 justice. 



And how shall we estimate the extent and value of this discard- 

 ed department of entomology ? Surely by the importance attach- 

 ed to it by the scientific of all civilized countries, and the number 

 and characters of the men who have devoted their lives to its 

 study. By this ordeal must your decision be tried. 



You cannot object to the authority of Cuvier, at once the most 



