282 SPEECH OF 



The power was to be found in that clause of the constitution 

 which allows us to regulate commerce with foreign nations and 

 among the several States. It was under that clause of the consti- 

 tution, he said, that we now had Mr. Hassler, with his splendid 

 apparatus and scientific corps, engaged in surveying the whole 

 maritime coast of the nation. No one doubted our authority to do 

 this ; and the most important and useful results were Kkely to 

 follow the surveys. Among others, he would name the recent 

 discovery of a channel at the city of New York, about two feet 

 deeper than any one known to the oldest inhabitants, or to the 

 most experienced and skilful pilots upon that coast. It was under 

 this clause of the constitution those surveys were progressing ; and 

 if we had a right to survey and note upon charts the channels, 

 the rocks, quicksands, and islands along our own coast, because 

 our vessels were engaged in navigation among these dangers, why 

 could we not make similar examinations, with the same object, in 

 any seas which were frequented by our vessels ? In principle, 

 there was no difference. The safety of our commerce was the 

 object in each case, and the mode of affording that safety was not 

 varied. 



"We had never sent out such an expedition upon the ocean, 

 although our public vessels were instructed to collect all such 

 commercial information as might fall within the range of their 

 observation, and to preserve it for the public benefit. But we had 

 had several such by land, to the great interior of this continent. 

 Every gentleman would recollect the expedition of Lewis and 

 Clarke to the Rocky mountains. What was the object of that 

 expedition? It was to acquire information with regard to an 

 unknown region of country; to open an intercourse with the 

 natives ; to ascertain the natural resources of the country, and to 

 promote the interests of science. By reference to the instructions 

 which were drawn up by Mr. Jefferson himself, it would be seen 

 that they were to notice the soil and face of the country ; its 



