ADDRESS. 79 



"And articles of commerce they may need or furnish, and to 

 what extent. 



" A.nd, considering the interest which every nation has in extend- 

 ing and strengthening the authority of reason and justice among the 

 people around them, it will be useful to acquire what knowledge 

 you can of the state of morality, religion, and information among 

 them ; as it may better enable those who may endeavour to civil- 

 ize and instruct them, to adopt their measures to the existing 

 notions and practices of those on whom they are to operate. 



"Other objects worthy of notice will be 



"The soil and face of the country, its growth and vegetable 

 productions, especially those not of the United States ; 



" The animals of the country generally, and especially those not 

 known in the United States ; 



" The remains and accounts of any which may be deemed rare 

 or extinct ; 



" The mineral productions of every kind, but more particularly 

 metals, limestone, pit-coal, saltpetre ; salines and mineral waters, 

 noting the temperature of the last, and such circumstances as may 

 indicate their character ; 



" Volcanic appearances ; 



"Climate, as characterized by the thermometer, by the propor- 

 tion of rainy, cloudy, and clear days ; by lightning, hail, snow, 

 ice ; by the access and recess of frost ; by the winds prevailing at 

 different seasons ; the dates at which particular plants put forth, 

 or lose their flower or leaf; times of appearance of particular 

 birds, reptiles, or insects. 



"Although your route will be along the channel of the Missouri, 

 yet you will endeavour to inform yourself, by inquiry, of the char- 

 acter and extent of the country watered by its branches, and 

 especially on its southern side. The North river, or Rio Bravo, 

 which runs into the Gulf of Mexico, and the North river, or Rio 

 Colorado, which runs into the* Gulf of California, are understood 



