Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-09-19

mlttee, to make selections OF specimens
IN his district-the Representatives taking
charge OF such articles, To transmit them
to head quarters, for WASHINGTON
NATIONAL MUsEuM-the yearly atten.
dance of the legislature would bring an
aggregation of articles, gradually in
Creasing beyond estimation. The re-
personalities to the state legislatures
would surely do the same in their states
and duplicates might be exchanged,
then every state legislature would have,
at some central place, state museum.
The exchange OF duplicates of natural
productions of one state for another,
must produce an interchange of good
Offices, and replenish and carry the ma
tonal museum to perfection.
But it is not the members of the state
legislatures and national representatives
alone to whom this appeal should be
made. The physicians and medical
men ofthe United States have generally
an inclination to scientific research-
they are mostly we'll prepared, by a
knowledge of chemistry and expert
mental philosophy, to become patriotic
agents in such public spirited under
taking. The officers of the army and
navy, the civil magistrates, the members
ofllterary societies, the judges ofthe SUI
preme and state judicatures, with coun-
sellers at law, and last, though not least,
the planter and agriculturalist, all pos
sess opportunities of enriching such a
treasury by making selections and suita-
bic inquiries after specimens.
Do you as nation, wish to possess a
million of samples illustrative Of the ma
tional resources Of your country? Are
there not twenty thousand of your sons,
anXiously alive 10 your interest, pos
sessing patriotism enough to make Sc
lections and in many instances 10 con-
vey them to the appointed spots, or in
all cases, to see their safe carriage
Have you not a steam boat conveyance
on your rivers and On your lakes for
several thousand miles? Have you not
a regular line of coasting trade, offering
facility OF intercourse equal to its eX-
tent Is there master Of steam boat,
of coastiug vessel, or OF land carriage
line, who would net often volunteer the
conveyance, carriage free, of few
pounds weight Of valuable specimens ?
Surely If the thing may be only propos-
ed and understood Alright, tens Of thou
sands of citizens would volunteer their
services both for state and national Sc
in, hn
bulk of articles, should require expense,
may not a small local subscription ge-
morally be made to pay half price, for
which the public spirit of carriers might
be called on to convey such materials for
public service.
De Witt Clinton has distinguished his
government by his energetic eXertions
to complete the grand canal. What
line Of intercourse does that canal pre-
sent How readily may the treasures of
nature be brought from the Hudson, the
lakes, the St. Lawrence, the Mississippi,
and ten thousand tributary streams OF
smaller note, which feed these great
waters, all Of which may be employed
to bring the tribute of nation TO the
treasury OF science? In regard to inland
carriage, the judges who go their cir
cults, The counsellors that follow them,
rest in general at certain central points,
to which the most intelligent inhabitants
of the district often resort Tor the pur-
pose Of justice; this measure will fur
nish patriotic subject Of inquiry, in the
which attends relaxation from
the purposes of duty, when at the point
of contract with people possessed of 10
cal knowledge, and willing 10 give in
formation. Do not for moment suffer
it to be imagined, that l consider the
American nation as destitute OF mu-
seums; there is one i'll Philadelphia and
one in Baltimore, and herhahs some in
other cities, which lave arisen from the
labor of individuals, whose trouble in
raising such institutions do them equal
honor as men, and friends of science.
So far from these being neglected., l
should recommend ALL being aided and
enriched, by public zeal; still this leaves
ample room for national, state and col
lege museums. 1t is not TO find or
create the charge Of remissness that |
take the pen; it is from wish that such
institutions should rise to that wonderful
scale Of perfection, which the public
sense of duty in nation, is alone conf
petcnt to call into action, On bearing
commensurate with the, riches OF lis re-
sources, and the dignity Of its future
days.
With your hundreds and thousands
offellow citizens engaged IN public du-