and will continue to issue their anathema maranathas until justice is done to these much injured officers. We ask by what rule was this Board selected? Did they pass the ordeal of a secret inquisition? Or have they since their appointment passed another 'careful examination' by a Board?"
Senators Jefferson Davis and Stephen Mallory, prominent advocates of the original Bill establishing the Retiring Board, both strongly opposed Maury's reinstatement when a Bill praying for justice for those injured by the action of that Board was introduced into Congress. One afterwards became President of the Confederate States, and the other his Secretary of the Navy, and, both before and during the war, were inimical to Maury. At this time the following appeared in the New York Herald of December 15th, 1855. appeared in the New York Herald of December 15th, 1855.
"We learn that the Russian Minister yesterday waited on Lieutenant Maury, at the National Observatory, to deliver, by command of his Government, the following autograph letter from the Grand Duke Constantine, Commander in Chief of the Russian Navy:—
To Lieutenant Maury.
| Sir, | St. Petersburg, December 2nd, 1855. |
It is now a long time since the eminent scientific works, for which navigators of every nation are indebted to your zeal and your talents, attracted my attention. . . . . I should rejoice, sir, to present you with a testimonial of my esteem; but, knowing the laws of your country, which do not permit you to accept anything from foreign Princes, I must confine myself to the expression of my sentiments. They are as exalted as your own merits; and, in my official capacity, I may say to you that you do honour to the profession to which you belong, as well as to the great nation which you have the honour to serve. Receive, sir, the assurance of my goodwill and esteem.
