S3 
do for the first experiments 12 to 
16 men could navigate it, half the 
number required for whaling. The 
outfits would be only staves and 
planks to be made up into casks 
and boxes on board, some casks of 
liquor to preserve fishes, &c., large 
fishes may be eaten and the skin 
only preserved in brine. Shells 
and stones cost no trouble to pick 
and keep. Some paper for drying 
plants, salt, nets, bottles, &c. Be- 
sides one or two years provisions 
for the small crew. No port charges 
to pay, the vessel need not go into 
any port to trade. The outfits may 
be insured just like those of whale- 
men at 5 or 6 per cent, per annum 
only. 
We should not advise the vessel 
to be fitted for sealing and whaling 
at the same time; because it is more 
expensive, and the crew might ne- 
glect the object of the voyage in 
pursuit of whales. We should ra- 
ther advise, if a greater capital is 
disponible, to fill up the ship with 
articles that may sell with some 
profit at ports in the way, such as 
flour and provisions, &c.; or else to 
take out a freight to the West In- 
dies or Brazil at the outset, and set 
off from thence on the voyage. 
We deem that a captain of com- 
mon capacity, but some education, 
would do to conduct such a voyage; 
if he has some acquaintance with 
science, or will follow the written 
instructions closely still better ; 
otherwise there must be a supercar- 
go on board, acquainted with natu- 
ral sciences, to direct the proceed- 
ings. 
As to the places to go, no one can 
go amiss. Any where will do; but 
the most healthy, fruitful, and un- 
explored countries best of all. For 
instance; Brazil and Patagonia, Chi- 
li, Peru, Guatimala, West Mexico, 
California, East coast of Africa, Bor- 
neo, Philippines, New Guinea, Aus- 
tralia or New Holland, the South 
Sea Islands, &c, 
Any one exploring the coasts of 
those countries for one or two years 
5 
could not fail to bring a valuable 
cargo of all these natural notions* 
from a huge Sea Elephant, head* 
skin and all, down to 10,000 fishes 
picked up at sea; and 5000 kinds of 
shells, 200 of each kind would be 
one million, which at one cent apiece 
only amount to Si 0,000, and some 
shells will be worth a dollar instead 
of a cent. 
Calculation of a cargo at the lowest prices 
1,000,000 shells at 1 cent $10,000 
10,000 fishes at 25 cents 2,500 
Minerals, rocks, fossils, &c. 2,000 
Living animals - 2,000 
Other animals preserved 2,500 
Preserved plants and seeds 1,500 
820,000 
The outfits could not cost more 
than 82,000, the ship freight for 
hulk alone 8100 per month, o/ 
82400 for 2 years; say 85000 with 
insurance; remain 815,000 profit. 
The half or 87500 to the crew, which 
in 20 shares would give 8375 for 
each, and the other 87500 for the 
outfitters, being 375 per cent, profit 
on 82000 for two years ! But per- 
haps by better sales, 8500 to 700 
may be divided on each share. 
All this is so plausible, that we 
invite the experiment to be made 
at once, and any ship owner or 
whaler who will undertake it may 
receive encouragement in Philadel- 
phia, by writing to us post paid, if 
no one will try, we mean to try it 
ourselves, by chartering a small brig* 
and raising the §2000 outfits by 
dividing them in 20 shares of 8100, 
of which 3 are already subscribed. 
We shall be proud of being the 
first to open a new source of indus- 
try and knowledge to our country. 
We have had this plan in contem- 
plation for several years past; but 
have waited to publish it, until we 
have seen the time arrived when it 
can be made very profitable. For- 
merly, when younger, we should 
have been delighted to go on such a 
voyage; but then science was not 
yet budding as it is now. We must 
depend on some active young mao 
