LETTERS OF A CITIZEN. 509 



try where he was raised, have long admired the ability and utility 

 which have attended his devotion j and, I may add, they would be 

 much gratified if this meritorious son of the West could be placed 

 in a situation where he might earn still higher distinction for him- 

 self, and, at the same time, confer greater advantages upon his 

 country. 



" With sentiments of the highest esteem, 



" Your friend and most obedient servant, 



" GEORGE L. KINNARD." 



To the President. 



" Senate Chamber, Washington, 3d July, 1836. 

 SlR, 



"I would inform the president that many of my constituents 

 feel a deep interest in the Exploring Expedition authorized during 

 the present session, and which I understood the executive has de- 

 cided to fit out the present season j and that, having a high opin- 

 ion of the character and qualifications of J.. N. Reynolds, Esq., 

 and of his capabilities to be useful in said expedition, I respectfully 

 recommend him to the president for the highest civil appointment 

 connected with the expedition ; and will add, that his appointment 

 will afford me personally much gratification. 

 " I have the honour to be, 



" Respectfully, your obedient servant, 



" JOHN M. NILES." 



Washington, 5th July, 1836. 



" DEAR SIR, 



" I enclose you several papers in relation to the appointment of 

 J. N. Reynolds, Esq., as chief of the civil and scientific corps 

 which goes out with the exploring squadron to the South Seas. 



" No. 1 is the unanimous recommendation of the representatives 

 from Ohio (without distinction of party) that he be thus appointed. 



" No. 2 is the recommendation of some forty or fifty members 

 of Congress from other states, asking for him the same station. 

 This paper was got up without the knowledge of Mr. Reynolds or 

 any of the Ohio delegation, and I have no doubt a hundred addi- 

 tional names could have been obtained, if any one had taken the 

 trouble to circulate it through the House. It was not deemed ne- 

 cessary, and was not therefore done. 



