THE WHITE WORLD 



a professional matter) of reiterating and vindicating my 

 opinions. That any intention existed of wounding my 

 feelings by this publication, I most perfectly disbelieve, 

 but I cannot help thinking that at least a thoughtlessness 

 and indifference has been shown by it towards me and my 

 position, which is humiliating. 



" On all sides, surprise is expressed to me, both by 

 officers and citizens, that such a publication should have 

 been made, and there seems to be but one opinion (as far 

 as I can learn) of the dilemma in which it places me, and 

 the duty which it enjoins upon me. 



" I learn also, with great regret, that, previous to your 

 experimental cruise, at the public table of a hotel of this 

 city, on an occasion when you were taking a glass of wine 

 with Chaplain Colton, that clergyman had the impertinence 

 and little self-respect to remark of me to you, that I was 

 'hyp'd in regard to my vessel, and that instead of rebuk- 

 ing him, you replied to this effect; ' Yes, he is very much 

 prejudiced.' " 



So Lieutenant Tattnall resigned. Everyone in the navy, 

 and indeed most persons out of it, knew the details of 

 this affair; and the difficulty of obtaining officers increased. 

 Before the end of 1837, twenty-three officers of various 

 ranks — among them David P. Porter, passed midship- 

 man — had declined to go with the expedition. The gos- 

 sip was increased when, instead of taking his vessels to 

 the South, Captain Jones ordered them back upon the 

 stocks, for alteration. At this period the delays of the 

 enterprise were still matters of public disapproval; they 

 had not reached the humorous stage. The people ex- 

 pected the expedition to get under way at any time. 



Nevertheless, during the summer of 1837 but little was 

 accomplished. The eighteen members of the scientific 

 corps were put on salaries and the seamen were recruited. 

 A board of commodores examined the vessels, and re- 

 ported that with alterations they would do, but recom- 

 mended that the complement should be reduced. At this, 

 however, Captain Jones protested, and again had his own 

 way. He discovered that the schooner was unfit for the 

 work, and upon authorization from Mr. Dickerson, bought 

 another for $8000, and spent as much more in fitting her up. 



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