MR. H A M E R. 289 



without producing some corresponding benefit to other, and often 

 to very distant portions of our population. 



" The expedition would not only perform a most valuable service 

 by correcting the position upon the charts, of islands, reefs, and 

 rocks, already known to exist ; by discovering and noting, others, 

 of which we have no knowledge ; but they would survey the 

 coasts of the islands, and ascertain where there were harbours, in 

 which ships might find shelter from storms ; points at which wood, 

 water, and refreshments could be obtained by our vessels engaged 

 in this trade. Besides these duties, they would open friendly con- 

 ferences with the natives ; they would succeed, perhaps, in rescu- 

 ing a number of prisoners, who were now undoubtedly among 

 these islanders ; the remnants of crews who had been shipwrecked 

 along their coasts. The rescue of a husband and father, and his 

 restoration to his disconsolate family, would be worth half the 

 expense of the expedition ; and the remainder would be covered 

 by the redemption of some unfortunate son from his savage mas- 

 ters, and his return to the arms of a widowed mother. We might 

 also succeed in impressing these people with a correct idea of the 

 friendly and pacific policy of our government ; our dispositions to 

 hold amicable intercourse with them ; and of our power and incli- 

 nation to punish outrages committed upon our citizens. 



" In addition to the intelligent naval officers who would super- 

 intend the movements of the vessels, a scientific corps would 

 accompany the expedition. The duties to be performed were 

 various, complicated, and arduous ; and the success of the expedi- 

 tion would require this organization. The labours of the naval 

 officers would embrace every thing essentially connected with 

 their profession ; an employment adequate to the highest intel- 

 lectual efforts. To ascertain with accuracy the latitude and longi- 

 tude of important places visited ; to correct the position of reefs 

 and islands upon the charts, and to give p. .... to new ones; to 

 explore harbours, and point out places for obtaining wood, water, 

 N 37 



