2i2 SIEGE OF THE SOUTH POLE 
bly, only sanctioned a small expedition for surveying 
work in the Pacific. 
Reynolds made a cruise in the Pacific, circumnavi- 
gated the globe and returned more determined than ever 
to obtain an expedition on an adequate scale for mari- 
time exploration under the American flag, though on find- 
ing the greatest opposition shown to the part of the 
scheme relating to south polar research he laid more 
stress on the exploration of the Pacific. The practical 
importance of this appealed to the popular mind for one- 
tenth of the American merchant tonnage was embarked 
in whaling ventures and trade with China on those seas. 
The importance of having competent scientific men to 
take advantage of the opportunities for research likely 
to be afforded by such a voyage, led the organisers of the 
expedition to provide liberally for such a staff, on which 
Reynolds of course expected to have a leading place. 
This part of the plan was naturally distasteful to the 
Navy Department, which was by no means sympathetic 
with the expedition as a whole and adopted the instinc- 
tive attitude of the fighting man toward the mere 
civilian. Unable to prevent the nomination of a scientific 
staff the Department could at least balk the one enthusiast 
of the opportunity for which he had worked so long, and 
“ for the sake of harmony ” Reynolds was not allowed 
to go. 
The Act of Congress authorising an American Ex- 
ploring Expedition was at. last passed on May 18th, 
1836. A squadron was set apart for the service and 
Captain Ap Catesby Jones, U. S. N., appointed to com- 
mand it. Lieutenant Charles Wilkes, an American officer 
of English parentage was dispatched to Europe to 
consult with scientific men there and to make pur- 
