COMMERCE. i 255 



in bolder relief, and the protection of government implored in 

 stronger terms. I speak from practical knowledge, having myself 

 seen the dangers, and painfully felt the want of the very kind of 

 information in the guidance of a vessel in those seas which our 

 commercial interests so much need, and which, I suppose, would 

 be the object of such an expedition as is now under consideration, 

 before the committee of Congress to give. Indeed, the whole of 

 this business, it seems to me, is a plain and practical affair. The 

 commerce of our country has extended itself to remote parts of 

 the world; is carried on around islands and reefs not laid down 

 on the charts ; among even groups of islands from ten to sixty in 

 number, abounding in objects valuable in commerce, but of which 

 nothing is known accurately ; no, not even the sketch of a harbour 

 has been made, while of such as are inhabited our knowledge is 

 still more imperfect. It would seem to require no argument to 

 prove, that a portion of our commerce might be rendered more 

 secure, and probably greatly increased, by vessels sent, properly 

 prepared, to examine such islands. There are also immense por- 

 tions of the South seas, bordering on the antarctic circle, well 

 deserving the attention of such an expedition, especially during 

 the most favourable months of the southern summer. Islands 

 discovered in that quarter will probably be found to yield rich 

 returns in animal -fur. Indeed, discoveries of this kind have been 

 recently made by some English whalers, supposed to be of great 

 extent, the vessels having sailed along three hundred miles of 

 coast lying south of the Cape of Good Hope. This may lead to 

 other very interesting discoveries, which will probably be found, 

 on further examination, to be a continuation of Palmer's Land, 

 lying south of the South Shetland islands, or only separated from 

 it by a narrow channel. Much might be said in favour of a 

 speedy examination of this portion of the South seas ; indeed, I 

 hardly know where au expedition could go where it might not be 



