INTRODUCTION. xx [ 
Thompson, Esq., with all the documents published, not only at the 
time of our visit, but since. The latter have been kindly forwarded 
by our Consul, J. H. Williams, Esq., to whom the Expedition is also 
greatly indebted. From all these documents I have been enabled to 
draw much valuable information, which I hope will be interesting to 
the general reader, as well as useful to our interests abroad. 
The reader who shall look to this Narrative for my version of the 
developements which were elicited by the proceedings of the courts- 
martial, will be disappointed, as I shall make no allusions that I can 
possibly avoid, to any of the subjects of a personal character that came 
before those tribunals, that occurred after the return of the Expedi- 
tion ; nor will the following Narrative embrace any personal matters or 
difficulties that may have taken place with the officers, for the reason 
that I do not regard such details as relevant or interesting to the general 
reader. The attempts to throw impediments in my way were unsuc- 
cessful, and I fully believe, that from whatever motive they may have 
arisen, those who caused them are now desirous that they should be 
forgotten. My countrymen will see that my duties were sufficiently 
arduous without having other difficulties to contend with, and I have 
the gratification of feeling that those duties have been performed, and 
the results fairly obtained. 
The performance of these duties is the best refutation that can be 
given to the many misstatements that have been circulated to the 
prejudice of the Expedition, but which, I trust, will now be set at 
rest. I have never had any personal feeling in the matter, except 
that which naturally arises from the wish to overcome all impedi- 
ments, of whatever nature they might be. I can, therefore, have no 
desire but to give the true version of every circumstance of a public 
nature that may concern the Expedition, and I hope that I shall be 
able to do it with impartiality and justice, touching as lightly as pos- 
sible on the faults of individuals, and bestowing praise wherever it is 
justly due. 
The objects intended to be accomplished by the Expedition, were 
such as to require not merely the usual obedience to the orders of its 
commander, but demanded, in addition, a zeal, that could only be 
