
          steamer in order to divide the Scientific Corps & thus
increase its efficiency. At the Cape I was restored in
order to concentrate the Scientific Corps and thus increase
its [crossed out: efficiency] [inserted: conspicuousness]. Glorious consistency! Could he have imagined
that I neglected my duty on board the steamer
or did he think [crossed out: I] he could give me a better field of labor
on this ship or did he consult vanity wishing
as large a retinue about himself as possible. He
has certainly mismanaged the matter egregiously.

When we arrived here the wardroom mess hired a boat
for their own particular benefit in which I could go ashore
& return almost at any time I pleased. He quarreled 
with us about it till we discharged it and now I
get a shore [ashore] when the ship's boat is not on ship's
duty or when I can: and come off at any time
by paying boat hire.

At night. The Fennimore [Fenimore] Cooper is just in and now all the
vessels of the squadron are here. Where we will go next is as
great a secret as all our other proceedings have been. I doubt
whether anyone knows. I heard it once asserted that we were 
going on a nice little cruise, a very definite destination.
I have been dissatisfied ever since I was restored to this ship. 
I tried to plead off but he made fine promises which have not
been realized and I acknowledg that I am disappointed. I
fear too that my labors will be of but little value unless
I am assigned again to the steamer for which I have a
strong inclination to ask. In nearly every respect I have
been treated with great [crossed out: respect] [inserted: consideration} and I am very well pleased
with my mess. The officers however care not a fig, any of
them, for our labors and never put themselves to any
trouble to facilitate them. If they can eat good dinners, 
drink good liquors, and smoke their cigars, little do
they care how the world wags. I met with more sympathy
among rude teamsters on the plains of Texas than I expect
ever to find again among even gentlemen. I liked the officers
of the Hancock and judge from the manner in which we met

        