504 LETTERS OF A CITIZEN. 



" Washington, August 1, 1838. 

 " SlR, 



" I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 30th July, 

 and, in reply, assure you that I knew nothing of the application in 

 relation to your situation in the Exploring Expedition made by 

 your friends in Congress. I received myself a letter from a gen- 

 tleman in Ohio, asking that you should be appointed commercial 

 agent, to go out with the expedition ; but I knew the president had 

 decided that no such officer should be appointed, nor could I, with 

 my views of the subject, recommend such a measure to his favour- 

 able consideration. 



" Being about to take my departure from Washington, and ex- 

 pecting to be absent some weeks, I addressed a letter to the sec- 

 retary of the navy, in which I expressed my opinion of the compo- 

 sition of the scientific corps : their number and description, but 

 without designating the persons. I think he ought, and presume 

 he will, be governed in his choice by the wishes of the commander 

 of the squadron, for it is essential to the success of the expedition 

 that the utmost harmony should exist between the naval officers 

 and the members of that corps. 



" Your desire to accompany the expedition is natural, and, under 

 ordinary circumstances, your having, in some measure, originated 

 the design, would give you a strong claim to be indulged in your 

 wishes ; but all subordinate considerations must yield to the para- 

 mount one of conducting the expedition to a successful issue. 



" Your letter has been sent to the Navy Department. 

 " I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 



" J. R. POINSETT. 



J. N. Reynolds, Esq., New- York." 



How puny, evasive I had almost said cowardly is this reply. 

 You knew nothing of the application made to the president by my 

 friends in Congress, except what you learned from somebody in 

 Ohio ! ! While in courtesy I am bound to believe you, I feel dis- 

 posed that the public should know how well informed you make 

 yourself on public matters before you come to a decision. That 

 you had conferred with President Van Buren in reference to me is 

 admitted in your letter, where you say, " but I knew that the pres- 

 ident had decided that no such officer (as commercial agent) should 



