LETTER FROM J. N. REYNOLDS 



,^ ; -- iK^-iJt .->1^H! 



TO THE SPEAKER OF THE 



HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 



UPON THE SUBJECT OF AN EXPEDITION : 



ACCOMPANIED WITH PETITIONS PROM INHABITANTS OF SEVERAL STATES, PRAYINO 

 THE AID OF GOVERNMENT IN CARRYING THE SAME INTO EFFECT. 



JANUARY 22, 1838. *A^ 

 Read and referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. 



SIR : I have the honour of transmitting to you several memorials, 

 signed by citizens of the United States, recommending to the 

 favourable consideration of Congress the importance of affording 

 some efficient aid in fitting out a small expedition to explore the 

 immense and unknown regions in the southern hemisphere. 

 They believe that an expedition could scarcely fail in making 

 discoveries of some interest, by finding new islands, or increasing 

 our knowledge of those already laid on the maps ; that commerce 

 might be benefited by surveying the coast frequented by our 

 hardy fishermen, and upon which they frequently suffer ship- 

 wreck, with many privations, and loss of property. 



It is believed new channels might be opened for commercial 

 pursuits in animal-fur a trade out of which an immense revenue 

 accrues to the government, and which greatly augments our 



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