314 LETTERS OF A CITIZEN. 



by calling the attention of Congress to a single point, the Feejee 

 or Beetee Islands. This group consists of sixty or more in num- 

 ber, of which there is no chart pointing out their harbours, shoals, 

 &c., and yet no less than twelve vessels from the single port of 

 Salem have been engaged in procuring from this cluster biche- 

 le-mer, shells, and other commodities, in exchange for which east- 

 ern cargoes are brought into our country, thus contributing no in- 

 considerable amount to our national revenue. Many mariners 

 have been killed by the natives, their vessels lost or damaged, and 

 the sum total of losses would go far towards paying the expenses 

 of an expedition. 



Are the Feejee Islands near the South Pole ? 



The committee embraced in their report a letter from one of 

 the most practical, liberal-minded, and intelligent officers in our 

 service, Commodore Downes. It was written at the request of a 

 member of Congress. Commodore Downes had had some expe- 

 rience in the navigation of the less frequented parts of the Pacific 

 at an early period of his life. During his voyage in the Potomac 

 an opportunity offered to add materially to the knowledge acquired 

 in former years. While circumnavigating the globe, in accom- 

 plishing which he crossed the equator six times, and varied his 

 course from forty-two degrees north to fifty-seven degrees south 

 latitude, he had never found himself beyond the limits of our com- 

 mercial marine ! The accounts given of the dangers, privations, 

 and losses to which our shipping and seamen are exposed from 

 the extension of our trade into seas but little known, so far, in 

 his opinion, from being exaggerated, " would admit of being placed 

 in bolder relief, and the protection of government implored in 

 stronger terms." He spoke from practical experience. 



Pursuing the labours of the committee, you will find that which 

 must startle you, when contrasted with some of your recently ex- 

 pressed opinions. That body hold up to your view the policy 

 adopted by other countries for the protection of their fisheries, 

 and show how these very fisheries have been extended by ex- 

 ploring expeditions. The British nation has disbursed millions 

 in bounty to its whalers. The American whaler has received no 

 bounty. He requires none. He asks of his government only 

 ' protection. 



More especially, permit me to call your attention to the very 



