xii PREFACE. 
The question has been repeatedly asked, and may 
be asked again, why the account of the doings of the 
Commission embraced in this narrative was not pub- 
lished by the government, alike with other reports of 
explorations made by its officers. In reply I have to 
state that, on my return home, after being superseded 
as Commissioner, I was desirous to submit my report 
to the Secretary of the Interior, for publication under 
his direction. To effect this a resolution was offered 
in the Senate by one of its distinguished members, 
General Houston of Texas, who takes a lively interest 
in the promotion of science, and particularly in the 
investigation of the unexplored regions of our country, 
to authorize me to prepare and publish a full Report 
of the labors of the Commission while under my charge, 
including the Natural History, in which so much had — 
been accomplished. The efforts of the learned Senator — 
however were unsuccessful, and the resolution was laid — 
on the table. This decision, a source of lively regret — 
to me, I trust is not to be regarded as final; and I 
cherish the hope that Congress will yet decide to place : ; 
the whole results of the Commission before the public _ 
in a suitable manner. 
cpio a i 
A RE 
eae me 
