190 REPORT. 



being about 200 tons burden, and calculated for cruising in the 

 high southern latitude, and among the ice islands and reefs which 

 are known to exist there. This vessel has been received and 

 placed at the navy yard, upon the .express agreement, that a 

 recommendation should be made to Congress to authorize its 

 purchase, and if the recommendation was not approved, that it 

 should be returned to the owner. No money has been expended 

 under this arrangement. That satisfactory evidence might be had, 

 both of the fitness of the vessel and its value, directions were 

 given to Mr. Eckford, of New York, and Mr. Hartt, the naval 

 constructor at Brooklyn, to examine it, and report on these points. 

 Their report fixes the value at $10,000. I cheerfully discharge 

 my obligation under the agreement, by an earnest recommenda- 

 tion that Congress authorize the price to be paid. Should this 

 not be done, the vessel will be returned. 



Measures have been taken to procure information of the present 

 state of knowledge in our country, on the subjects pointed out in 

 the resolution, from our citizens who have been employed in the 

 navigation of those seas, and who possess information derived 

 from experience, which is confined very much to themselves and 

 their log-books and journals. An agent has been usefully and 

 successfully engaged in this object, and has found few obstacles 

 thrown in his way. Those who have been most acquainted by 

 business and interest with that portion of the globe, feel the 

 deepest solicitude for the success of the enterprise. The expe- 

 dition will be enabled to sail with better guides than are usually 

 possessed by those who embark in similar undertakings. 



With a view to give the most useful character to the enterprise, 

 it is important that persons skilled in the various branches of 

 science should partake in it. Correspondence has therefore been 

 held with scientific men, and some selections have been made, 

 and others are now making, by the department, of astronomers, 

 naturalists, and others, who are willing to encounter the toil, and 



