294 SPEECH OF 



portion of our commerce might be rendered more secure, and 

 probably greatly increased, by vessels sent properly prepared to 

 examine such islands.' Such is the language of this practical and 

 ab]e officer. In the letter of Captain Jones to Mr. Reynolds, we 

 have the following sentiments : 



" * My recent cruise to the Pacific Ocean, in the course of which 

 I spent some time among the Society, Sandwich, and other islands, 

 afforded me a good opportunity of seeing, in partial operation, 

 most of the branches of commerce, the advantages of which you 

 so clearly demonstrated in your address to the Committee on 

 Naval Affairs. 



" * That there is a great field open for national enterprise in the 

 region to which you have invited the attention of the American 

 people, cannot be doubted ; and I accord most heartily with you, 

 that such a voyage as you contemplate would open to our com- 

 mercial, and of course national interests, sources of great wealth, 

 which cannot be brought into action without the protecting aid of 

 government.* Such are the opinions of another intelligent and 

 experienced naval officer, who is intimately acquainted with the 

 whole subject. 



" Now, sir, the gentleman from Kentucky, (Mr. Hawes,) I 

 expect, was never out of sight of land in his life ; he resides far in 

 the interior, and has not devoted much time to the examination of 

 this question ; and yet he sets up his opinion in opposition to these 

 gentlemen, and pronounces the whole scheme to be useless to the 

 country, and perfectly visionary. Let me ask the gentleman te~ 

 pause before he takes such strong ground, and review his opinions. 

 He may find good reason to retract what he has heretofore be- 

 lieved, and to become the advocate of a measure which rallies 

 such able men to its support. 



" It has been said in the course of the discussion, that this sub- 

 ject is new to us, and we want more information before we act 

 definitively in relation to it. Are gentlemen aware that in 1 827, '28, 



