EXTRACT 



FROM THE ANNUAL 



REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, 



NOVEMBER 27, 1828. 



ON the 21st of May, 1828, the House of Representatives 

 passed a resolution requesting the President of the United States 

 "to send one of our ^rnall vessels to the Pacific ocean and South 

 seas, to examine the coasts, islands, harbours, shoals, and reefs, 

 in those seas, and to ascertain their true situation and descrip- 

 tion;" and authorizing the use of such facilities as could be 

 afforded by the department, without further appropriation during 

 the year. To this resolution it was your earnest wish that early 

 and full attention should be paid. 



There was no vessel belonging to our navy, which, in its then 

 condition, was proper to be sent upon this expedition. The 

 Peacock was, therefore, selected, and placed at the navy yard at 

 New York, to be repaired, and supplied with conveniences 

 suited to the object. Her repairs and preparations are now 

 nearly completed, and she will be ready to sail in a few weeks. 



In looking to the great purpose for which the resolution was 

 passed, and the difficulties and dangers which must necessarily 

 be encountered, it seemed to be both unsafe and inexpedient to 

 sen$ only one .vessel. But the department did not feel that it had 

 the authority either to purchase another, or to detach one more 

 of the small vessels of the navy, to be joined with the Peacock. 

 Nor, indeed, is there another in the service suited to this peculiar 

 employment. But the opinion and wish of the Department being 

 known, an offer was made to it of such a vessel as was desired, 



