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never been explored by the hydrographer. The navigator sails over them with 

 dread, for there exists no chart to warn him of the dangers he may encoun- 

 ter ; and the works erected by Government along their shores, for refuge in 

 times of storm, are too incomplete to answer the purpose. As to the interior of 

 our country little ia known scientifically and accurately. It may be said that it is 

 the province of the States to construct maps of their several territories. It may be 

 so, but without some common centre, from whence uniform plans and instructions 

 issue, State maps will be laid down upon different projections, and be wanting in 

 astronomical accuracy. A map of the United States, to be useful, ought to be 

 constructed upon a uniform plan, and under the immediate direction of the scien- 

 tific officers of the United States. Such a work is required by the best interests of 

 the country. Its completion would develop the vast resources of our extensive pos- 

 sessions, enable the Government to comprehend all iheir relative advantages, and to 

 open new avenues of conmicrce. It would aid the emigrant in his search after ad- 

 vantageous .settlements, direct the merchant to the readiest route for the transpor- 

 tation of goods, teach the farmer where to seek a market for his produce, point out 

 to the soldier whence to draw his supplies, the shortest lines of communication 

 and the best sites for encampment, or for the erection of permanent works of de- 

 fence. In short, such a work would be eminently useful to all classes of our fel- 

 low-citizens, and contribute largely to the commerce and security, and to the rapid 

 settlement and improvement of our country. All the Governments of Europe 

 have been sensible of the importance of geographical knowledge, and trigonomet- 

 rical surveys of every empire and kingdom arc completed or in progress there. In 

 those countries geography was first cultivated for warlike objects; their maps were 

 originally military, and many of thetn are constructed with such minute accuracy! 

 that armies may march and encamp, and sentinels be posted, with no other knowl- 

 edge of the country than such maps afford. With their aid alone positions are 

 chosen, and all the chances of war calculated in the closet as on a chess-board. 

 By their means the statesman can determine on the expediency of opening a canal 

 or of constructing a road, and becomes possessed of a perfect knowledge of the cli- 

 mate, the structure, and the physical resources of the country, the interests of 

 which it is his duly to watch over and protect. We arc wiihout any of these ad- 

 vantages ; our maps are so inaccurate, that large amounts are sometimes wasted in 

 attempting to construct roads and canals which are found to be impracticable, or 

 which lead to no beneficial results when executed. So important is this branch of 

 science considered, that the Governments of Europe have depots of maps from the 

 earhest ages, and thai of France, especially, possesses an extensive collection, begin- 

 ning at the thirteenth century. Societies, too, exist in their principal cities, who 

 aid the Government, by preparing instructions for expeditions, whether for pur- 

 poses of science or pxploration, themselves giving premiums for maps and charts, 

 and fitting travellers out at their own expense, and sending them to explore un- 

 known regions. In short, these institutions spare no pains to encourage and pro 

 mote the ends of science, and ilieir success has been equal to iheir real" 



