292 SPEECH OP 



suffer in public estimation from the remarks which had been made, 

 if they remained entirely unanswered. 



"What were the evidences of public opinion in favour of this 

 expedition ? In a government like ours, public opinion was every 

 thing. It was proper that it should be so. Enlightened public 

 opinion was always right ; and it was a great moral lever which, 

 in a good degree, now governed the civilized world ; and the time 

 was rapidly approaching when it would be completely triumphant 

 in all the political movements that took place in this country. 



" This measure had been asked for by the whole commercial 

 and navigating community, so far as they have expressed an 

 opinion. The members of the legislatures of eight different states 

 have, within a few years past, recommended it to our favourable 

 consideration : New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsyl- 

 vania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and Ohio, had, in this 

 manner, decided in its favour. Many of the commercial towns and 

 cities had petitioned for it. The East India Marine Society of 

 Massachusetts, all of whose members, by the constitution, must 

 have personally doubled either Cape Horn or the Cape of Good 

 Hope, had sent us a pressing memorial in its favour. This docu- 

 ment was entitled to great weight. It came from gentlemen who 

 had experience, combined with intelligence, upon this subject. 

 They had personally seen and braved the dangers which every- 

 where meet the navigator who penetrates into the regions, which 

 it would be the business of this expedition to explore and describe. 

 To their testimony might be added that of two of the most able 

 and experienced commanders in the American navy, Commodore 

 Downes and Captain Jones. Their letters were among the docn- 

 ments upon our tables. They were valuable for more purposes 

 than one ; they refuted the idea advanced by some, that our ordi- 

 nary squadron sent out to the Pacific to protect the trade of our 

 citizens, could accomplish all that was desirable. Speaking of 

 this subject, Commodore Downes says, ' An expedition fitted out 



