256 COMMITTEE ON 



in the way of doing good ; to say nothing of the credit our country 

 would acquire in promoting such an enterprise. 



" As to my opinion of the class of vessels best suited for such 

 an expedition, I should unhesitatingly say : two brigs or barks, of 

 two hundred tons each, and a tender, of from eighty to one hun- 

 dred tons. A great many weighty reasons might be given to 

 show, that if, in the same ratio, vessels were beyond this size, the 

 chances of safety and extensive usefulness would be proportion- 

 ably decreased. 



" Very respectfully, 



" Your obedient servant, 



"JOHN DOWNES. 

 " Hon. JOHN REED, Mem. of Con." 



In the conclusion of the report alluded to by the committee on 

 naval affairs, dated February 10, 1828, (Rep. 209, 1st sess. 20th 

 Cong.) Mr. Reynolds holds the following appropriate language : 



"The opening of the ports in South America has already 

 changed our course of trade in the Pacific greatly for the better, 

 and will more and more benefit us, if we take care of our rights 

 in those seas, and send a sufficient force to protect our commerce, 

 which, no doubt, it will be the policy of our government to pursue. 



" To look after the merchant there, to offer him every possible 

 facility, to open new channels for his enterprise, and to keep a 

 respectable naval force to protect him, is only paying a debt we 

 owe to the commerce of the country; for millions have flowed 

 into the national treasury from this trade, before one cent was 

 appropriated for its protection. 



" The naval commanders we have sent into the Pacific have 

 done all that wise, active, and experienced men could do. They 

 have not only taught the natives that we are a powerful people, 



