CHAPTER XIII

COAST SURVEY

Professor A.D. Bache tenders charge of Coast Survey office-- Accepts conditionally--Retains charge of works--Assumes new duties--Estimate of General Taylor--Magnitude of Coast Survey Office--Organizes the force--Reforms the office-- Meets "men of Mexico"--General Shields--Approves compromise measures--Puritan father condemns Webster-- Visits Bucksport--Daughter Gertrude Maude born--Wound breaks out afresh--Contemplates leaving Coast Survey--Moves family to Newport--Pays $400 on house--Generous in money matters--Spends summer in Washington--Letters to his wife-- Ideals of woman, marriage, duty, ambition--Admiration for Henry Clay, the master spirit--Compromise measures passed--Fine health--Carries appropriation--Truth and directness superior to low cunning--Office improving, duties more pleasant daily--Publishes Campaigns of Rio Grande and of Mexico--General Scott takes offense 241