* 
never been explored by the hydrographer. The navigator sails over them with 
dread, for there exists no chart to warn him of the dangers he may encoun¬ 
ter; and the works erected by Government along their shores, for refuge in 
times of storm, are too incomplete to answer the purpose. As to the interior of 
our country little is known scientifically and accurately. It may be said that it is 
the province of the States to construct maps of their several territories. It may be 
so, but without some common centre, from whence uniform plans and instructions 
issue, State maps will be laid down upon different projections, and be wanting in 
astronomical accuracy. A map of the United States, to be useful, ought to be 
constructed upon a uniform plan, and under the immediate direction of the scien¬ 
tific officers of the United States. Such a work is required by the best interests of 
the country. Its completion would develop the vast resources of our extensive pos¬ 
sessions, enable the Government to comprehend all their relative advantages, and to 
open new avenues of commerce. It would aid the emigrant in his search after ad¬ 
vantageous settlements, direct the merchant to the readiest route for the transpor¬ 
tation of goods, teach the farmer where to seek a market for his produce, point out 
to the soldier whence to draw his supplies, the shortest lines of communication^ 
and the best sites for encampment, or for the erection of permanent works of de¬ 
fence. In short, such a work would be eminently useful to all classes of our fel¬ 
low-citizens, and contribute largely to the commerce and security, and to the rapid 
settlement and improvement of our country. All the Governments of Europe 
have been sensible of the importance of geographical knowledge, and trigonomet¬ 
rical surveys of every empire and kingdom are completed or in progress there. In 
those countries geography was first cultivated for warlike objects; their maps were 
originally military, and many of them are constructed with such minute accuracy's 
that armies may march and encamp, and sentinels be posted, with no other knowl¬ 
edge of the country than such maps afford. With their aid alone positions are 
chosen, and all the chances of war calculated in the closet as on a chess-board. 
By their means the statesman can determine on the expediency of opening a canal 
or of constructing a road, and becomes possessed of a perfect knowledge of the cli¬ 
mate, the structure, and the physical resources of the country, the interests of 
which it is his duty to watch over and protect. We are without any of these ad¬ 
vantages ; our maps are so inaccurate, that large amounts are sometimes w r asted in 
attempting to construct roads and canals which are found to be impracticable, or 
which lead to no beneficial results when executed. So important is this branch of 
science considered, that the Governments of Europe have depots of maps from the 
earliest ages, and that of France, especially, possesses an extensive collection, begin¬ 
ning at the thirteenth century. Societies, too, exist in their principal cities, who 
aid the Government, by preparing instructions for expeditions, whether for pur¬ 
poses of science or exploration, themselves giving premiums for maps and charts, 
and fitting travellers out at their own expense, and sending them to explore un¬ 
known regions. In short, these institutions spare no pains to encourage and pro 
mole the ends of science, and their success has been equal to their zeal.” 
