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usefulness, not to say the necessity of such an establishment, for them immedi- 

 ately to appreciate the object, and, so far as the powers of the Government extend, 

 to furnish the means to carry it into effect. I am aware that this has already been 

 ably done in a report on the proper application of the Smithsonian bequest, pre- 

 sented to Congress, at its last session, by a gentleman with whom I am happy to 

 be associated in promoting the progress of science. His long continued efforts to 

 establish a National Observatory will, I trust, be finally crowned with success, and 

 I shall always reflect with satisfaction on having, on the first occasion that pre- 

 sented itself, seconded, however feebly, his liberal and enlightened views. 



"Second to Astronomy in its importance to the wants and interests of Naviga- 

 tion, and essential to those of commerce, is Geography ; a science which equally 

 requires the fostering care of Government. In this respect it has been more fortu- 

 nate than Astronomy. The expedition of Lewis and Clark, undertaken by direc- 

 tion of Mr. Jefferson, and destined to explore the route across the Rocky Moun- 

 tains to the Pacific Ocean ; that of the brave and gallant Pike; and those under 

 that enterprising officer and accompUshed observer Long, still further to examine 

 that portion of our territory ; the coast survey which is now in progress under the 

 learned and accurate Hassicr ; the exploration of the country lying between the 

 Missouri and Mississippi rivers by that indefatigable and scientific traveller Nicol- 

 let; and the expedition under the command of Lieut. Wilkes, intended to explore 

 unknown seas, to discover new sources of commercial enterprise, and to point out 

 the dangers which beset the paih of the navigator, while it sweeps from the charts 

 those islands and shoals which have no existence, save in the imagination of for- 

 mer hydrographers ; have been fitted out and supported by the Government, and 

 have attracted the favorable notice of scientific men throughout the world. The # 

 Geographical Society of France speaks, by its President, of that expedition in the 

 following terms : 'In calling your attention to the voyages round the world, and to 

 other maritime enterprises which have, in our time, so largely contributed to the 

 establishment and progress of geography, I have to observe, that it is no longer 

 from our old Europe alone that these great expeditions set forth. The new world 

 now rivals the old. The Government of the United States of America— of that 

 nation which, in less than half a century, has taken a prominent station among the 

 maritime powers — sends out, in its turn, an exploring expedition towards the An- 

 tarctic pole.' There is every reason to hope that the results of this expedition will 

 prove as useful and honorable to the nation as its conception was creditable to its au- 

 thors. It is a remarkable fact, that three national expeditions on voyages of discov- 

 ery and for purposes of science, were traversing the same ocean at the same period : 

 the American and French squadrons being in sight of each other, in a stormy sea, 

 on an unknown and ice-bound coast, and striving with each other for the honorable 

 distinction of priority of discovery. We await with impatience the rich harvest of 

 new scientific observation and physical facts which the re'.urn of our exploring 

 •quadron will bring us. Much, however, remains to be done for the advancement 

 of geography in our country. The vast inland seas which form our northern 

 boundary, covered as they are with vessels, and teeming with commerce, have 



