20 ADDRESS. 



object was the extension of the bounds of geographical knowl 

 edge ; thus mingling the bays of science with the laurelled 

 wreaths of martial glory. It is farther worthy of especial notice, 

 as redounding infinitely to the credit of the French government, 

 that upon its being announced that the expedition of Captain 

 Cook was on its return homeward, laden with stores more valua- 

 ble than gold, the collections in all departments of science and 

 natural history, and the fruits of the three years' labours, the king 

 published a proclamation, wherein, after reciting the objects for 

 which the voyage of Cook was undertaken, proceeds to forbid 

 any French subject from capturing or detaining him ; but, on the 

 contrary, commands them to grant every aid in furtherance of the 

 ends of the expedition ; thus paying a homage to science, thus 

 consecrating the flag of a rival nation by a perpetual flag of truce. 



Since the general peace of Europe, the spirit of enlightened 

 research has been actively employed, and great and valuable 

 acquisitions have been the result. Russia has been engaged in 

 prosecuting discoveries in every part of the globe. She has sent 

 land expeditions into the unknown regions of Tartary north of 

 Thibet, and under the shadow of the snow-capped range of Him- 

 maleh and Imans, and into the interior of the northwest portion 

 of our continent. Men of science have been commissioned to 

 explore the northern boundary of Siberia, and to determine points 

 on that extensive coast, hitherto of doubtful position. In the 

 Southern Ocean her ships have penetrated as far as the 70 

 parallel of latitude, and discovered islands which had escaped the 

 searching eye of Cook. They also boast of having rounded the 

 Sandwich Land of that celebrated navigator. 



The recent contributions of the French to literature and science, 

 from the voyages of Freycenet, Duperre, Bougainville, and others, 

 have been of the greatest value, imparting to geography and natu- 

 ral history an attic elegance, unapproached by any other people 

 of past or present times. 



