APPENDIX. 163 
before. We have something greater than this aimed at in 
the instructions: of which object the comparative character 
is, that it occupies less space, requires more time, and offers 
greater advantage. For details respecting these, we refer 
to the instructions themselves. 
While we acknowledge then that it would not have been 
wise to have sacrificed in this case on behalf of objects hav- 
ing more romantic novelty and less usefulness, the facilities 
presented by the peculiar character of this expedition for 
sounding closely the depths of nature’s capabilities, and the 
condition of savage life in the regions it will traverse, we 
must not forget that mere territorial discovery of a general 
and extended character is more to us than merely a desirable 
event. Our position renders it every day more and more a 
necessity that we should measure the intensity of savage 
strength, and gauge the depth of barbarian resources in the 
uniraversed regions of our continent: it is something to know 
the sources of trade they may afford, but it is of more value 
by far to know the sources of disturbance they may enclose: 
There are wide territories which are apparently possessed by 
tribes closely allied, and easily susceptible of union; their 
views and habits must be undergoing a rapid change; anda 
measure of years easily numbered may enable them to be- 
come very destructive, if such be their desire. It is thought 
a considerable effort, according to colonial measurement, to 
pursue and reduce a hundred pedestrian robbers. Could 
we then expect prosperity or peace to abide in our more dis- 
tant provinces, if a native tribe stood in hostility against our 
frontier, in possession of a few hundred horses ? 
We may expect that Christianity, civilization, and com- 
merce, may repress or pacify the ambitious or marauding 
temper of our neighbours. We trust it may be so, and that 
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