296 PASSAGE OP 



probably the largest commercial marine afloat upon the ocean. 

 Supposing this to be so, we were now the first commercial people 

 upon the globe ; and the amount of capital invested in this branch 

 of national industry was daily increasing. Should it be said that 

 we were so penurious, so illiberal, or so destitute of skill and enter- 

 prise, as not to extend adequate protection to our valuable and 

 adventurous citizens who had embarked in this trade ? Would 

 this reproach be just ? He did not believe it. He was satisfied 

 that the intelligence of the country expected us to act promptly 

 and liberally upon this subject ; and that every consideration of 

 wisdom, justice, and sound policy, which could operate upon an 

 American statesman, required us to make this appropriation." 



The bill, as amended, had now passed the house, and only want- 

 ed the concurrence of the senate to become a law. 



The next day, May 10th, the amendment as amended by the 

 house, came up in the senate. After some conference among the 

 friends of the measure, comprising, with one or two exceptions, 

 every member of the senate, all the amendments of the house 

 were concurred in, excepting part of the following amendment 

 made by the house : 



" The President of the United States be, and he hereby is, au- 

 thorized, if, in his opinion, the public interest shall require, to send 

 out a surveying and exploring expedition to the Pacific Ocean and 

 >outh Seas : and for that purpose to employ a sloop of war, and 

 to purchase or provide such other small vessels as may be neces- 

 sary and proper to render the said expedition efficient and useful ; 

 and, for this purpose, the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand 

 dollars be, and the same is hereby, appropriated out of any money 

 in the treasury not otherwise appropriated ; and, in addition thereto, 

 if necessarv, the President of the United States is authorized to use 

 other mfcans in the control of the navy department, not exceeding 

 one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, for the objects required." 



