39 2 The National Geographic Magazinb 



instead of frittering away of time and 

 money on a heterogeneous variety of in- 

 vestigations of narrow scope and often 

 of small value. 



That there are other fields of investi- 

 gation of great value and promise within 

 the domain of this Congress goes with- 

 out saying. Recognized specialists in 

 these fields will bring them to the at- 

 tention of the Congress in their own 

 masterly way. 



I have spoken upon those things upon 

 which I think and feel strongly. 



In conclusion, I wish to express our 

 obligations and acknowledgments to 

 His Excellency President Roosevelt, 

 that splendid, vigorous, typical Amer- 

 ican, who stands at our head today, the 

 fearless, unhesitating man of magnifi- 

 cently wedded thought and action, who 

 has graciously consented to head the 

 Congress ; 



To Baron Richthofen and his col- 

 leagues of the Executive Committee of 

 the Seventh International Geographic 

 Congress, for the way in which they 

 have carried out the work intrusted to 

 them by that Congress ; 



To our distinguished foreign visitors 

 and friends, who have demoted so much 

 time and effort to be present ; 



To those who, prevented by circum- 

 stances from being present in person, 

 have sent us most valuable papers ; 



To Professor McGee and his col- 



leagues of the Committee of Arrange- 

 ments ; and 



To Professor Davis and his colleagues 

 of the Committee on Scientific Program, 

 for their-tireless efforts in behalf of this 

 Congress. 



I cannot close without a word or two 

 expressing my deep appreciation of the 

 honor shown me in electing me Presi- 

 dent of this distinguished organization, 

 a position previously held by such emi- 

 nent men as De Lesseps, Sermoneta, 

 Gobat, Markham, and Richthofen. 



I have accepted the honor in the spirit 

 in which I believe it was tendered, 

 namely, as an expression of the sym- 

 pathy and approval of the geographers 

 and geographical associations of this 

 country, and their interest in the work 

 and aims with which I have been identi- 

 fied for the past fifteen years. 



As such, I greatly prize it. 



Further, I deeply regret that insistent 

 press of that same work has made it 

 impossible for me to labor for the Con- 

 gress as I should have done. 



The full and entire credit for the Con- 

 gress, both in scope and detail, is due 

 to the able and tireless chairmen and 

 members of the Committees of Arrange- 

 ments and Scientific Program and their 

 associates, and to the delegates and 

 members who have contributed the 

 progeny of their brains to make it a 

 success. 



SOME EARLY GEOGRAPHERS OF THE 

 UNITED STATES* 



By Rear Admiral C. M. Chester, U. S. Navy 



ON an occasion like the present 

 one, when distinguished men 

 from all parts of the world 

 meet together to consult with reference 

 to the means for promoting the great 



objects for which our individual socie- 

 ties were inaugurated — a study of the 

 earth and its inhabitants — it seems fit- 

 ting that we should take at least a cur- 

 sory glance at the work which has been 



*An address to the Eighth International Geographic Congress. 



