REPORT 



COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE 



February 7, 1835. Mr. PBARCE, of Rhode Island, from the Committee on Commerce, 

 made the following report: 



The Committee on Commerce, to whom were referred numerous memorials 

 from citizens of various sections of the United States, praying that 

 an exploring expedition to the Pacific ocean and South seas may be 

 authorized by Congress, report : 



THAT the number and character of the memorialists, and the 

 opinions they have expressed upon the subject of the memorials, 

 have called the committee to an attentive and careful considera- 

 tion of the objects to be attained by the expedition, as well as of 

 the reasoning and facts adduced in favour of the undertaking. 



It is represented that the intercourse between the different parts 

 of the nation and the islands and countries of the Pacific has 

 become a matter of public interest, and deserving the protecting 

 care of the national legislature. The fur-business hitherto carried 

 on between the Pacific islands and China, has afforded rich returns, 

 and increased the wealth of our common country. Besides this 

 employment of national industry and enterprise, it is represented 

 that there are engaged in the whale-fishery, from various parts of 

 the country, an aggregate of one hundred and thirty-two thousand 

 tons of shipping and ten thousand men. 



Besides this amount, engaged directly and exclusively in the 

 trade, there is a vast amount of capital incidentally dependant on 

 it, and in transporting oil to Europe, and in return cargoes, as well 



