LETTER. 163 



improving the boundaries of knowledge : And whereas the gov- 

 ernment of the United States has attained a high standing among 

 the nations of the earth, the practical result of the most stupen- 

 dous, as well as successful, experiment ever made in politics ; a 

 population fast increasing ; commercial relations and interest co- 

 extensive with the civilized world ; nautical skill, perseverance, 

 and enterprise, if not unequalled, at least unsurpassed : And 

 whereas the sending out of one or two vessels on a voyage of 

 discovery would not be attended with any very heavy demands 

 on the public treasury, and would seem to be in strict accordance 

 with the character and liberal policy which ought to be pursued 

 by a government whose political existence is, in a great measure, 

 dependant on the general intelligence of her people : And whereas 

 a great number of the most enlightened citizens, of different sec- 

 tions of our country, have memorialized the senate and house of 

 representatives of the United States, in congress assembled, and 

 have set forth in their memorials that, under the patronage of the 

 United States, an expedition should be fitted out without delay, 

 and proceed to acquire a more correct knowledge of our own con- 

 tinent ; or, if possible, to enter the more interesting and extensive 

 field for enterprise in the southern hemisphere ; and, provided for 

 the purpose with hardy seamen and scientific persons, to bring 

 home to us the result of their labours, for the honour of our coun- 

 try and the benefit of mankind : And whereas voyages of this 

 kind, even when they fail of making important discoveries, 

 bespeak a liberal policy, and give character to the people who 

 undertake them : Therefore, 



"Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Maryland, 

 That we do highly approve of the views of the said memorialists, 

 believing that a polar expedition, if properly conducted, could 

 scarcely fail in adding something to the general stock of national 

 wealth and knowledge, and to the honour and glory of the United 

 States." 



