Star.
London, England, 1830-07-28 00:00:00

I. The Collection of General Information regarding the East.
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2. The Diffusion of Useful Knowledge in every quarter.
3. The Extension of the Sale of British Manufactures.
4. The Discovery of new Articles of Commercial Return.
The Throne of England being now, for the first time in all its
history, filled by a Monarch whose earliest years were devoted to
the Service of his Country at Sea, and who has ever since cherished
a fond regard for the welfare and glory of the National Marine, the
commencement of his auspicious Reign cannot fail to give an addi-
tional interest to every Enterprise, of which the Ocean is to be
the element, and British Seamen the instruments of its accom-
plishment.
From the age of Alexander and Ptolemy, who each sent Expedi-
tions to explore the hidden Sources of the Nile, down to the present
day, when our enterprising countrymen, Franklin and Parry, have
been employed, at great personal risk, and vast public expense, to
find a Northern Passage into the Pacific Sea, the mere solution of
some Geographical Problem only, without reference to higher views,
has been sufficient to call forth the energies, and justify the fame, of
those distinguished Voyagers of all Nations, from Nearchus to Co.
lumbus, by whom Expeditions of mere Discovery have been con-
ducted : and at the same time to enlist the patronage and sympathies
of Kings, Queens, Nobles, and People in their success.
It is believed that much remains to be done, even in this depart-
ment of knowledge only, and that the Geographical and Hydro.
graphical features of our Globe are yet very far from being perfectly
delineated; so that a voyage of Circumnavigation, if directed to
this object alone, would be still worthy the patronage and support
' of the first maritime nation of the world, and of every class of its
inhabitants.

But there is one important duty that has never yet been incorpo.
rated with any systematic and well digested Plan for a Voyage of
Discovery ; which is, to lay the foundations for a future Commer-
cial Intercourse with the Coasts and Islands discovered, by leaving
among their inhabitants the best Memorials that men can ever be-
queath to each other—namely, Specimens of the Useful Manufac-
tures, Models of Agriculture and Domestic Implements, and De-
scriptions of the Arts and Conveniences which Time and Expe-
rience have enabled us to discover and apply to the improvements
and comforts of life; with the seeds of Elementary and Useful
Knowledge, planted in such a manner as to lend to a harvest of In-
tellectual and Moral Improvement, and the consequent increase of
Happiness to those who are thus blessed.
The present period seems ly favourable for such an un-
dertaking ; inasmuch as the Ste:l.:ll:Wand Islands of the Eastern He-
misphere, in the space lying between China and South America, in-
eluding the Coasts of Cora, Formosa, Japan, Borneo, Celebes, the
Moluccas, the Phillippines, the Kurile Archipelago, and the count-
less islands in the Pacific Ocean, are the parts of the Globe least ac-
curately known in every sense ; and these are now likely soon tube.
come as accessible to English ships as they have for a long time
been to Foreign vessels only : it being already understood that the
Fast India Company will be willing to admit of English ships be-
ing employed as American and other foreign vessels now are, in the
conveyance ofjExports from this country to every part of the Eastern
seas, reserving to themselves the import of particular articles only ;
and it being matter of still greater certainty,thacsupposing no change
whatever to take place in this respect, they would readily grant their
license or permission to any Ship, proceeding on a publicly avowed
Voyage of Discovery and Improvement like this.
The want of an accurate knowledge of distant Countries when
they are first opened
.to new intercourse, has been productive
of infinite loss and misery, by the evil of Overtrading,—
arising from the natural anxiety of all adventurers to be first in the
market, and to be provided with a full supply of every thing
needed ; but not knowing what is actually required, either in quan.
city or description, every thing is taken,—a glut ensues,-..and more
than half the exports are lost or destroyed.
Such accurate knowledge cannot be speedily obtained, except by a
voyage undertaken for that express object, and with adequate pre.
pennons for effecting it on a systematic and complete plan.
The first requisite for this purpose is a ship of sufficient size and
competent equipments should be provided by the British public,
fitted, manned, and ready for sea; combining perhaps the use of
steam for occasional application in currents and calms, with the
safety tubes of Mr. Watson as a security from foundering, and such
other modern improvements as may tend to increase the speed,
safety, and perfect accomplishment of the voyage.
The Ship and her equipments being given as a Donation to this
great object, no further aid on the part of the Public will be
needed; as the ordinary operations of Trading, in the purchase and
sale of commodities, and in the conveyance of goods and passengers
from place to place, on the route, will defray all the subsequent
charges of the Voyage • and to prevent all misconception on this
subject, it is particularly requested to be observed that this is not
intended as a joint-Stock or Trading Company, but a Public Sub.
scription for a great Public Undertaking, without further risk or
concern on the part of the Subscribers.
The objects that I pledge myself to keep constantly in view,
during the whole of this Expedition, and the benefits I may hope
to effect by it, of a public and general nature,w ill be the following :
I.—To add to the existing stock of knowledge every new fact that
can be collected respecting the Geography and Hydrography of the
Coasts and Islands visited ; and to make the most ample researches
that can he effected respecting the Statistics, Productions, Manners,
Wants, &c. of every particular place; as well as to collect Sped.
mens of whatever may be found to deserve preservation, in Natural
History, Botany, Mineralogy, Itc. as well as of the Artificial Pro-
ducts and Native Wares, where any such exist.
lI.—To introduce into all the ports visited, Specimens in small
quantities, but in infinite variety, of all the various descriptions of
Goods manufactured in England ; whether in Woollens, Silks, or
Cottons; in Metals, Glass, or Earthenware; so as to ascertain, by
actual experiment, what particular description of goods are suited to
particular markets, and what are the quantities, patterns, textures,
prices, anti other peculiarities best adapted to each ; for the want of
which knowledge, all the evils of Ovcrtrading have happened.
lII.—To add to this distribution of the Specimens of
English Manufactures, the introduction of the Useful Arts of ci-
vilised life, in the shape of Models, Drawings, and Descriptions
of all the various implements, utensils, and conveniences of agri-
culture, husbandry, and domestic comfort in use among ourselves :
as well as seeds, plants, and materials of improvement of every
kind ; and to lay the foundation for the establishment of schools of
instruction, for increasing, perpetuating, and diffirsing useful
knowledge in every branch.
These are the mere.Oudines of the Plan,—but the statement of
these will be sufficient to enable every reader to fill up much of the
details.

The classes of the community from :whom the most cordial aid
may be expected towards this undertaking ; and the reasons for their
ready co-operation, are the following
1. From the Alembers of both Houses of Parliament :—Because
the Information collected in such a Voyage would be more copious
and more accurate than the desultory Evidence of accidental and
often unobservant and indiferent Witnesses, on whose imperfect
testimony the Legislature is now too often obliged to rely for the
facts and opinions which farm the basis of their Commercial uses-
sures. - - - - - -

--2;-From the Clergy and &Wye England, from the Learned
and Liberal Profeesisos, And fears persons not engaged in any Mer-
cantile Business .i—Decaues the abolition of Ignorance, Idolatry,
and Slavery, and the advancement of the great interests of Huma-
nity, Morality, and Knowledge, will be promoted thereby.
3.—From the Bankers, Capitalists, and illoniedinterests of the
Country :—Because every extensies orthe 'haunch and marts of
Commerce, aced every haprovement le the condition of distant Ira.
time and people, creates additional employment for capital, and in-
creases the value of their wealth.
4.—From the General Merchants :—Because every, addition to
the number of places to which they' ma dq lemma thochance
of evil from the shutting up or of. theirloperadess in
any single quarter, and consequently muldplies their chances of,