American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-11-17

common reverence for the Alsssr aud cr,a,as sne
US all. =
The period Of our national existence ba, h...
only about nifty yearsand the history oil man haa''
no parallel OF the progress have made in nm"
lson, improvement and power. From a small r.
ton struggling Tor liberty, We have grown into J
powerful one, capable oil defending on the lana ~
at sea, the blessings by the war for iudenso
dence. The American name is known and rev.
peced to the utmost verge OF civIlizaton-our 49,
gle is denizen OF every clime-our sails arr Nm
furled on every sea-our vessels are hailed in ev,r
foreign port as the harbingers oil plrnty-and ~
enterprise and perseverance, coutage and constanr.
OF the American people. are, If mol unriyap.d =
least not surpassed What man can do, il !, ~.
character to feel able 10 attempt-What man has
accomplished, the American feels that he is able +,
do-Whether il be TO defend his liberties on r.
field OF battle, TO grapple with enemy on n,
deep, or to penetrate the burning line, ard pursu.
his gigantic game within the icy circle, and with Al
ardor that nsures where the people Of o,h-
nations would fail because Of want Of the sam.
energy and zeal to excel.
In whatever relates to commerce, ard Navigation
and the useful, more imne diaely necessary stts
the American stands pre- eminent, but our auenon
has not yet been directed ito profound and labo,i
Gus research into the figure OF the earth'' thoupt
all will agree, that it would be honorable to om
country 10 return light for light" 10 those ra,obs
OF Europe, who for so many years have made aru
yet making, such powerful exertons, Tor tie Al,
tainment Of scientific knowledge, and especially il
find cut what is the actual state Of things 10 ,hose
vast ard unexplored regions Of cur globe SURROUND
ing the poles.
BY these exertons, they have not only reflected
honor and acquired profit to themselves, bu, con
terred an important benefit ON The grtat human "a
mily A Columbus discovered the vast CONTINENT
Of America, subsequent rasiEaiors have discoytfrd
the ens!,e Countries Of New Holland New IA.
land and The various islands in the South SEA aid
Pacific Ocean 4 vast extent Ct our globe s!l lie.
mains unknown, and If knowledge is power and
gives superiority TO nations over each ether, he
same as it does in small commul tiles, and among
individuals, this government eann1i Consistently
with her true character, remain IN idle and indiasr.
emit spectator, while other nations are successluly
extending The bounds Of human know ledge.
4 Without, however, attempting 10 establish any
hypothesis, We confidently appeal 10 The patriotism
Of our National Legislature, that the examples Of
European nations, 10 further the cause Of science
may be foowed.-that We may add something 10
the common stock Of general improve men,, CT d
least, show the will 10 contribute our share thl,
however young in years as nation, we would uci
remain behind any o,her 10 zeal 10 heneht and in.
prove the human race. in the aseefialnment otfcls
ncculul or convenient 10 sD increase - lnelleludt
thought, and the inoteassd end increasing wants d
civilized society.
! Hitherto, We have been chiefly indebted 10 lie
enterprise Of foreigners, for geographical knna
ledge Of our own Continent they have ttaversei
our country in all directions taught US The iuite q
attraction, 90 the very threshold o. cur mcsi res
prciahle Literary Institutions, and gwen he name,
Of lteit Lords their Dukes and their Admiras .
\ the islands bays, ard promon,ories Of the not,h
that might have petpctuated tie memories Of tae
own distinguished statesmen, patriots, fagrs aid
heroes
And il is not little remarkable, that while he
most learned and profound OF all ages have srtn
munihcenlly encouraged, 10 ascertain tie natue
and the courses and times o! the planets, that be-
! long TO our syseIn and revolse round common
centre Of light and heat. so large part Of our osn
earth, should remain almost litle known 10 US as
those planets though separated from Us by DIS,
anees, conceivable only by The Mighty Mind wa'eG
ordained them. Man in his proud walks, appears
anxious to extend his researches to the u'moA
bounds oil creation, while he remains, perhaps cui'
pab!y Negligent. Of The undiscovered PARTS Of hl
own little globe that are still within the bounds Of
practical experiment.
The enlightened British nation have been cxIsn
ding their researches to the north by land and 0y
water, the final result Of neither is yet given 70 ihe
world; but II either should succeed in presenting
any thing Interesting to science the glory Of the as
covery will Justly belong to the British nation. We
would rival them in all that is great aud good aud
return light 10 them Tor light received, in whatever
IS useful % science and the arts,-and, thereole'
respectfully suggest that under the patronage OIL NC
United States, an expedition should be hied Guy
i without delay, and proceed 10 acquire more per-
fect knowledge Of the northern parts OF our own
continent, or, il possible 10 enter The more Inees'
sgntln
etn hemisphere, and provided for the puTpose' @R'
hardy seamen, and scientific pei SONS, bring holasW
Is the result Of their labours for the honour oil ou
country and The benefit Of mankind tits believed,
that individuals proper for such an expedion nbw
easily DC prevailed upon TO undertake IT. ana W.