SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION TO MEXICO. 415 
doubt but that, by virtue of their labors, certain branches of our knowledge will 
be stimulated and extended—others, perhaps, created, and that new facts will 
produce new and fruitful ideas which shall give to our comprehensive studies a 
salutary impulse. 
In order to assure to the scientific expedition of Mexico every guarantee of 
success, I have the honor to propose that your Majesty will be pleased to con- 
stitute, by decree, a commission which shall hold its sessions at the department 
of public instruction. Composed of men eminent in science and in the state, or 
of savants who have already explored Central America, this commission will 
give to travellers the necessary instructions, will follow the progress of the ex- 
pedition, and will prepare for the scientific world the publication of a work 
which will prove, I trust, a monument of the patronage which your Majesty 
condescends so directly to accord to this noble enterprise. 
I flatter myself that the public offices will cordially associate themselves with 
the designs of the Emperor ; and, consequently, I have also the honor of praying 
your Majesty to cause to be laid for examination before the council of state the 
draught of a law for opening a credit of 200,000 franes in behalf of the ministry 
of public instruction in order to defray the expenses of the expedition. 
