232 PACIFIC AND 



graphical Society, in the year 1833. It appears, from this paper, 

 that one Captain Biscoe, in the brig Tula, accompanied by a small 

 cutter, the Lively, on the 8th of February, 1831, discovered land, 

 and during one whole month remained in the vicinity of it. He 

 clearly discerned the black peaks above the snow, but he was una- 

 ble to approach nearer than thirty miles to it, from the boisterous 

 state of the weather and ice. The stormy petrels were the only 

 birds seen, and no fish. It has been named Emberly's land, lon- 

 gitude 47 30' east, latitude 66 30' south ; an extent of 300 miles 

 was seen. In consequence of the bad state of the health of his 

 crew, Captain Biscoe was compelled to return into warmer lati- 

 tudes ; but, in the eany part of February, 1832, he was again in 

 the vicinity of an immense iceberg, when it fell to pieces, accom- 

 panied by a tremendous noise, and, on the 15th of the same month, 

 land was seen to the southeast, latitude 67 15', longitude 69 

 29' west. It was found to be an island near the head-land of what 

 may hereafter be called the Southern continent. On the island, 

 about four miles from the shore, was a high peak, and some 

 smaller ones. On the 21st of February, Captain Biscoe landed in 

 a spacious bay, on the main land, and took possession, in the 

 name of his majesty William IV. It will probably, on futher ex- 

 amination, be found that this very land is but a continuation of the 

 same chain of islands which are entirely and undoubtedly an 

 American discovery ; but the honour may be snatched from us, 

 and the glory of naming them be lost to the country, should the 

 present expedition fail, to say nothing of the advantages that may 

 be lost in the collection of animal-fur. I will not trouble you 

 longer, sir ; I may already have taken a liberty in writing to you 

 on the subject. I have too much pride in my country, to suppose 

 for one moment that a few months will not see the South Sea ex- 

 pedition filling to the breeze, and wafting on to national fame. 

 Few hearts in the navy will not beat high with hope of participa- 

 tion, and many (and I say it with professional exultation) yea, 



