112 CORRESPONDENCE. 



YALE COLLEGE, May 30, 1836. 



DEAR SIR The expedition destined to explore the Southern 

 Ocean, I consider as of the most vital importance to science, 

 navigation, commerce, benevolence, and national honor. 



Upon the liberal basis on which our government has placed it, 

 under the care of distinguished naval officers, and enriched by the 

 first scientific acquirements of our country, we have every cause 

 to anticipate an immense accession to the various departments of 

 natural science. 



Money, in an expedition so national as the present, should be a 

 secondary object, when placed in competition with the acquisition 

 of high talent in the walks of science. 



Instruments of every kind will necessarily be one of the first 

 items in this vast undertaking. I would recommend that dupli- 

 cates, in every instance, be taken out ; and where frequent 

 exposure to injury may, by possibility, take place, many of the 

 same kind should be procured. 



Allow me to present to your attention the following objects, as 

 deserving of especial notice in your voyage towards the South 

 Pole: 



1 . Temperature of the Air. 



2. State of the Barometer. 



3. Winds and Clouds. 



4. Thunderstorms and Electricity. 



5. Tornadoes and Whirlwinds direction of the wind. 



6. Currents their force, width, direction Temperature. 



