PROMOTION OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 65 



members of this Institute will, collectively and individually, use such influ- 

 ence as they may possess to further the progress and completion of the same. 



UNITED STATES EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 



A letter from the Secretary of the Navy, Samuel L. Southard, an 

 earnest and active member of the Institute, read on October 6, 1828, 

 announced recent action by Congress directing an exploring expedi- 

 tion to the southern Pacific, the preparations for which were in 

 progress, and as it was important to the cause of science that well 

 qualified men, with proper instructions, should accompany the expe- 

 dition, requested that the Columbian Institute would communicate 

 any suggestions or views, either as to the proper persons to be sent, 

 the subjects of scientific inquiry, the instruments necessary, or the 

 modes of investigation. Being sensible of the honor intended by so 

 flattering a mark of the confidence of the Government, the prepa- 

 ration of such plans, recommendations or suggestions as might be 

 necessary for the purpose was immediately confided to a committee 

 composed of Samuel L. Knapp, Dr. Walter Jones, Dr. Bailey Wash- 

 ington, IT. S. Navy, and Mr. William Elliot, which the following 

 corresponding members, namely, Representative Edward Everett, 

 Senator Mahlon Dickerson, Mr. F. E. Hassler, Prof. Parker Cleave- 

 land and Prof. Benjamin Silliman were subsequently requested to 

 assist. 



At least two reports made by this committee, and possibly more, 

 approved by the society, were transmitted to the Secretary of the 

 Navy, but no copies or even abstracts of these have been found with 

 the papers of the Institute and their character has not been ascer- 

 tained, except that F. Bailey's method of laying down a meridional 

 line was recommended and also one appointment, but only for a 

 minor position. The last reference to the subject in the minutes 

 was of date April G, 1829, and it is interesting to note that the com- 

 mander of the expedition, Lieut, Charles Wilkes, became a member 

 of the Institute in 1833, five years before the vessels sailed. 



