Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1837-12-25
NV PRosrrCr lllLr, VIRGINIA.
Dccemhel 3, 1887.
To JANrs ARMSTRONG. Esq.
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fo JANIS ARMSTRONG. Esq
Commander of the T.. 5. Ffigate Macedonian.
Ny Dear Sir--ihr state of,nv health at the time
Of my departure FROM New York prevented me nom
personally taking leave OF the officers aud ncn com
rti1pg lie crews ct the several vessels Of tie South
SEA Survey ling aud Exploring ENpedirinn
he seemingly uncermoulouS hlulnp down of the
insignia OF my command, winch an informed took
place At meridian on the 5n nstam, appraised YOU of
an event winch was no. myself informed OF ull the
receipt lew moments since of communication
from the ZION. Secretary OF tn Navy bearing dare
ashiugton, December the tjlh.
The ties which connected ire wilh those under my
late command being thus suddenly severed both asra-
gads tmr aud circumstances, leaves me no oppnrtu-
nity OF othrally addressing them: bu should do VIC
lcncr 10 my uwnieelngS and injustice to those who
have won any esteem ani highest approbatiop nv
thcn jealous aud devoted services, if | should pafl
from them IN silence and without attempting at least
10 express some OF those emotions which such an
event is calculated To inspire.
We all embarked, my dear sir, in a noble under
taking Que worthy OF u EepnbIic aud IN the sue
cfSSu termination OF which might have indu . ID
the Snrest hopes OF winning reputation for ourselves
aud lmpcflshable honor Tor our country. The Con
gTess oi the Union. responsive to the will OF then
constituents with alberahty which has received the
applause OF the world, long since appropriate the
ncanS to carry uto effect out FIRST great national en-
terptlse, upon scale commensurate with the great
obectsto be attained but aitc DELAYS the most uu,,e-
ccdenttd, embafraSsmrntS the most ycXatious and
dnicullles hitherto unknown in any equipmeut and
IN any outit, the expedition sul fingers in the wa.
icfs ot the United States and you still lett in doubt
aud uncertainty, well as the time of YOUR tlcpar.
tnfe as to the final plan OF your VOYAGE and the lu-
ration aud extent OF your operations.
II is not meet that should speak in detail OF tn,
dfhcnles and endorsements which have beer
thrown in my way in almost every matter connected
with m, command, oeo the causes from which those
dlthoulties and embalrassments spring less OF
the circumstances under which | was constrained Ia
abandon the expedition. When these shall all be
knc''n as one day they will be- it will be found thai
have not been more jealous Of my own honor and
proiessln nal repn alton than regaru OF the rights
Interests aud fame of those over whom was placed
! as Commander-in- Chief
Leave the expedition with spirits wearied out by
continued dlsappontments, and with my health se,i
ousiy impaired by the mcessant and extraordinary
duties which have been imposed upon me-but con
seions oil the purity OF my motives and the int O.
MY OF my conduct shall have nothing TO regret.
save The prosiration othe proud hopes which nspir-
ed me IN the undertaking. and the parting with those
VINO have stuck to the through GOOD report and
though eviitfport-.hom neither the hope of fayoI
couid scdhee, nor the accumulation of dflicultiec
could DIVE from the expedition and upon whose
zeal and devotion TO their duty, might at all times
with such confidence have rehed
lie who hall be. or y no i already named ne mt
successor, TO carry INTO e!Ire, the wishes aud inien-