S16 VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. [February, 
from the society; so that at present it consists of one hundred 
and eighty-four members, of whom one hundred and thirty-two 
still reside in Salem." 
The chief objects of the institution are, to assist the widows and 
children of its members, when they need it, from the funds of the 
society ; to collect facts and make observations, which may tend 
to the improvement and security of navigation ; and to form a 
museum of natural and artificial curiosities, to consist chiefly of 
such as are brought from beyond the Cape of Good Hope and 
Cape Horn. 
The very nature of these voyages gave a peculiar character to 
the people. The length of time they passed on the ocean, gave 
the officers in these ships fine opportunities to improve their 
minds in various branches of knowledge. From among the masters, 
supercargoes, and other officers of these Indiamen, it is said there 
have been, from the town of Salem, a great number of the members 
of each branch of the legislature of the state : we know there 
have been three members of congress, two secretaries of the 
navy, a United States senator, and a great mathematician, second to 
no one in ancient or modern times ;i one who has corrected the 
works of Newton, and enlarged the heavens of La Place ; and, in 
fine, many distinguished minds in every walk of life. Whatever 
our success in commerce hereafter may be, the enterprise of 
Salem will still continue an era in our annals, worthy the pen of 
the first commercial historian. 
