186 SAML. L. SOUTHARD. 



I entertain the opinion that such an expedition is expedient. 

 My reasons are briefly these : 



That we have an immense and increasing commerce in that 

 region, which needs the protecting kindness of the government, 

 and may be greatly extended by such an expedition. Of the 

 extent and nature of this commerce, it is not easy to write 

 briefly; nor is it necessary. It is better known to none than 

 to some of the members of the naval committee in the house 

 of representatives. The estimate of its value has been much 

 augmented, in the view of the department, by the reports which 

 have been made, under its orders, by our naval officers who 

 have commanded vessels of war in the Pacific, and which are 

 now on file. 



The commercial operations carried on in that quarter are diffi- 

 cult and hazardous : they are correctly represented in the memo- 

 rial of the inhabitants of Nantucket, to which I would refer, as 

 well as to some of the many other memorials which have been 

 addressed to Congress on this subject. It would seem wise in 

 the government to render these commercial operations less hazard- 

 ous, and less destructive of life and property, if it can be done by 

 a moderate expenditure of money. 



The commerce in the Pacific ocean affords one of the best 

 nurseries for our seamen. An expedition, such as that proposed, 

 would be calculated to increase that class of citizens an increase 

 in which the government and nation are deeply interested. 



We now navigate the ocean, and acquire our knowledge of 

 the globe, its divisions and properties, almost entirely from the 

 contributions of others. By sending an expedition into that im- 

 mense region, so little known to the civilized world, we shall add 

 something to the common stock of geographical and scientific 

 knowledge, which is not merely useful to commerce, but connects 

 itself with almost all the concerns of society; and while we make 

 our contribution to this common stock, we shall not fail to derive 



