96 ADDRESS. 



account in this matter of giving names to places, with some of our 

 neighbours, which we may as well begin to have posted up, for 

 the purpose of preventing future disputes. 



In tracing on a chart the few attempts which have been made 

 to reach a high latitude, it will be seen that the circumnavigation 

 of the southern hemisphere will not, at most, bear an average of 

 more than 58 south latitude, which leaves, with the exception 

 of Weddell's track, about 300 of longitude, in which the An- 

 tarctic circle has not been crossed ! 



With such a wide field before us, and such a noble theatre 

 whereon to contend for mastery with the nations of the earth ; 

 now that the cloud which has so long hung in our political hori- 

 zon, and threatened to darken the heavens, and crimson the ocean 

 with blood, has passed away, leaving the glorious sunshine of 

 peace to our land ; and now when the treasury is full to overflow- 

 ing, we confidently indulge the hope that this measure will be 

 sanctioned without further delay. 



For high latitudes, the vessels should be small. The English 

 failed in this respect, and have since confessed their error. The 

 strength and efficiency of a vessel depend not more upon the 

 power of resisting than the facility of avoiding danger ; and this 

 remark applies to the navigation among the islands of the Pacific, 

 or amid regions of ice. Let it be remembered, that Hudson, Davis, 

 and Baffin, made all their discoveries in small vessels, and by 

 their intrepidity, perseverance, and skill, extended their researches 

 almost as far as the most recent and adventurous navigators. 



Parry pays the highest tribute of respect to their memories, and 

 bears witness to the correctness of their observations, even as 

 regards the longitude. " I feel," says he, " tlie highest pride on 

 one hand, approaching almost to humiliation on the other; of 

 pride, in remembering that it was our countrymen who performed 

 these exploits ; of humiliation, when I consider how little, with all 

 our advantages, we have succeeded in going beyond them." 



