can be nearly approached, without incuring any great degree of 

 hazard in the attempt. But for further information on the practi- 

 cabiHty of reaching the south pole, I must refer to tlic judicious re- 

 marks of Capt. Edmund Fanning of New-York, contained in his 

 account of several voyages to the southern ocean, with which I 

 perfectly coincide ; and will conclude with the regret that the gov- 

 ernment of the United States, with a population whose daring en- 

 terprize has already carried our flag into the remotest corners of 

 the globe, could not be induced to forward an expedition^ the ex- 

 pense of which would little exceed that of a vessel doubling Cape 

 Horn. They might thus settle this interesting question, and also 

 determine with certainty the situation, magnitude, and extent of 

 tliese lands, and by tliat means open a new source of revenue to 

 the country in the oil and fur animals which must necessarily ex- 

 ist in these high southern regions. 



