Xll 
PREFACE. 
The question has been repeatedly asked, and may 
be asked again, why the account of the doings of the 
Commission embraced in this narrative was not pub- 
lished by the government, alike with other reports of 
explorations made by its officers. In reply I have to 
state that, on my return home, after being superseded 
as Commissioner, I was desirous to submit my report 
to the Secretary of the Interior, for publication under 
his direction. To effect this a resolution was offered 
in the Senate by one of its distinguished members. 
General Houston of Texas, who takes a lively interest 
in the promotion of science, and particularly in the 
investigation of the unexplored regions of our country, 
to authorize me to prepare and publish a full Report 
of the labors of the Commission while under my charge, 
including the Natural History, in which so mu'ch had 
been accomplished. The efforts of the learned Senator 
however were unsuccessful, and the resolution was laid 
on the table. This decision, a source of lively regret 
to me, I trust is not to be regarded as final ; and I 
cherish the hope that Congress will yet decide to place 
the whole results of the Commission before the public 
in a suitable manner. 
