290 SPEECH OF 



and provisions ; to make observations tending to throw new light 

 upon the obscure laws which govern the magnet ; to open an inter- 

 course with the natives, and to cause our flag to be known and 

 respected in those seas : these and other kindred duties, requiring 

 great prudence and capacity, with unusual skill and professional 

 attainments, would furnish employments to the naval officers 

 having charge of the squadron. 



" Upon the scientific corps other duties would devolve, no less 

 arduous and important. He could not descend to details. It was 

 sufficient to say, that the whole field of natural philosophy and 

 natural history lay open before them. No part of it should be 

 neglected; for its objects entered largely into the elements of 

 commerce, and had an acknowledged value among all civilized 

 nations, and with all enlightened minds. The animal productions 

 of those remote regions, whether inhabiting the land, the ocean, 

 or the air, would require particular attention. The vegetable and 

 mineral productions could not be overlooked. Every object con- 

 nected with the present commerce, or calculated to open new 

 channels for trade, would be journalized and preserved. The 

 executive should be able to speak of this corps in the language of 

 \ President Monroe's instructions to Major Long : 'Great confidence 

 is reposed in the acquirements and zeal of the citizens who will 

 accompany the expedition for scientific purposes ; and a confident 

 hope is entertained that their duties will be performed in such 

 a manner, as to add both to their own reputation and that of our 

 country.' The two corps, thus selected and constituted, each 

 filling its appropriate department, though blending and aiding e?xh 

 other in harmonious action, could not fail to acquire a mass of 

 valuable information calculated to enrich our commerce ; to give 

 new vigour to enterprise ; to enlarge the boundaries of science, and 

 to increase our national renown by an additional wreath of glory. 



" This led him to notice some remarks that fell from the gentle- 

 man from Kentucky, (Mr. Hawes,) in relation to an individual who 



