120 CORRESPONDENCE. 



NEW YORK, June 15, 1836. 



DEAR SIR The contemplated exploring expedition to the South 

 Seas has again attracted the attention of the Lyceum of Natural 

 History, and I trust I need not now assure you of the deep inter- 

 est we feel in its successful prosecution. Allow me to thank you 

 for the information you enabled me to make known to that society, 

 and to congratulate you that your exertions have been so far 

 Crowned with success. You may remember that some years ago 

 I had the honour of a correspondence with the Navy Department, 

 upon the subject of the scientific objects of the expedition, &c. ; as 

 I had then reason to suppose, that whatever had been matured in 

 relation to those matters had been committed to you, for your use 

 On a subsequent voyage, you will excuse me in calling your notice 

 to those transactions. 



It may be premature to address you in this way; but your 

 former services, present exertions, and the better part of a life 

 devoted to the South Sea discoveries, have so identified you with 

 this expedition, that I have no hesitation in doing so. You very 

 well know that it is the cause of natural science that I have very 

 much at heart. I speak for many others, as well as myself, in 

 saying, that some anxiety is felt that the organization of this expe- 

 dition should include a sufficiently numerous and skilful scientific 

 corps. Geographical discoveries would redound to the fame and 

 honour of a navigator; but with public men and public means, 

 we hope for something for the honour of the nation. The present 

 age would not be satisfied, under these circumstances, with merely 

 an amended chart. Animate and inanimate creation will be pre- 

 sented in each degree of latitude or longitude that is traversed 



