an order to go to sea. My estimate of the importance of the scientific service required from the officers of the Navy is sufficiently manifested in my report to the President, in December 1852, upon the organization of a Hydrographical corps, to be charged especially with such duties as those to which you have applied yourself with so much advantage to the country and to your own reputation. I still hope to see that subject attract the attention of Congress, and in the establishment of the corps to furnish an appropriate occasion to the Government to avail itself of your services under conditions equally comfortable to your wishes and your deserts.
Very truly, my dear sir, yours,
| To Lieutenant M. F. Maury, | |
| United States Navy, &c. | |
| Dear Sir, | Smithfield, April 20th, 1856. |
Your letter of 20th of March was received at my residence, during my absence from home on a visit of several weeks, and has, therefore, remained unanswered thus long. I sincerely regret the delay. When I entered upon the duties of Secretary of the Navy, you were at the head of the Observatory at Washington as Superintendent. The post you occupy is one of the highest importance and interest to the Naval Service of the United States. Under your able and efficient administration of its duties, it has and will confer important benefits, not only on the Navy, but on the entire commercial interests of the country. It requires, however, that the Superintendent should possess the acquirements, habits, and tastes of the scholar and man of science, as well as those of the officer and seaman. I found you in the office, familiar with its duties and fulfilling the duties assigned you with constantly increasing labour, enthusiasm, and success, in the midst of investigations and researches that then promised, as they have since conferred, great practical benefit on the service to which you belong, and lasting honour on the country and age in which you live. No imperative demand for sea-service
