70 ADDRESS. 



from any cause cannot be accomplished by individuals, become 

 the legitimate objects of public care, in reference to which the 

 government is bound to employ the means put into its hands for 

 the general good. Indeed, while there remains a spot of untrod- 

 den earth accessible to man, no enlightened, and especially com- 

 mercial and free people, should withhold its contributions for 

 exploring it, wherever that spot may be found on the earth, from 

 the equator to the poles ! 



Have we not, then, shown that this expedition is called for by 

 our extensive interests in those seas interests which, from small 

 beginnings, have increased astonishingly in the lapse of half a 

 century, and which are every day augmenting and diffusing their 

 beneficial results throughout the country ? May we not venture 

 on still higher grounds ? Had we no commerce to be benefited, 

 would it not still be honourable ; still worthy the patronage of 

 congress ; still the best possible employment of a portion of our 

 naval force ? 



Have we not shown, that this expedition is called for by national 

 dignity and honour ? Have we not shown, that our commanding 

 position and rank among the commercial nations of the earth, 

 makes it only equitable that we should take our share in exploring 

 and surveying new islands, remote seas, and, as yet, unknown 

 territory ? Who so uninformed as to assert, that all this has been 

 done? Who so presumptuous as to set limits to knowledge, 

 which, by a wise law of Providence, can never cease ? As long 

 as there is mind to act upon matter, the realms of science must 

 be enlarged ; and nature, and her laws be better understood, and 

 more understandingly applied to the great purpose of life. If the 

 nation were oppressed with debt, it might, indeed it would, still be 

 our duty to do something, though the fact, perhaps, would ope- 

 rate as a reason for a delay of action. But have we any thing of 

 this kind to allege, when the country is prosperous, without a 

 parallel in the annals of nations ? 



