Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-03-22

| trious and able chairman Of the Committee on
Commerce.
| J. N. REYNOLDS, Esq the able advocate Of
the new Theory of the Earth, favored US dur.
ing the past week, with two eloquent anG in.
structive Lectures, illustrative of the facts,
principles ard analogies, upon which the theo.
~ is founded. Although he went fully into
| the comparative. merits Of the old and new
theories, his main object was 70 show tina, dis.
co,eries, important to science and honorable to
| the explorers, may be made in the Polar regions
of the Earth; and in this he was entirely sue
cessful. In consequence of our recent calami.
ty, he declined taking up subscription, as he
had done elsewhere, in aid of his proposed e1.
petition, but several gentlemen, anxious to en-.
rol themselves as patrons Of the enterprise, 70.
UNFAIRLY contributed small sums, which they
requested might be added to the general fund.
1t will be remembered that this subject was
before the House Of Representatives of the U.
States, during its last session. The following
is the Report Of Select Committee, preceded
by the Statement submitted to that Committee
nv Mr. REYNOLDS.
GENTLEMEN-I beg leave succinctly, to state
the case now before you as Select Committee
IN relation 10 voyage of discovery. lst The
memorial is most respectfully sustained BY
resolution OF the State Of Maryland, and by the
Governor and Council. By the Governor Of
Pennsylvania, and by near one hundred mem.
bers OF the State Legislature. BY the Governor
and other citizens Of Ohio. You will also find
memorials from the states Of New York. Penn.
sylvania, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland. Ohio,
sc. OF the most respectable character. Presu.
ming that the memorial, for the number and
responsibility Of those who signed it, is desery.
ing the most courteous consideration. I pro.
coed, in the second place, 10 remark, that the
objects OF the memorialists will be promo.
ted by simple reference Of the whole sub.
jeet to the Secretary Of the Navy, with view.
that IT an expedition be undertaken, in part, BY
individual MEANS. it may receive the prolec.
ton and aid Of the Department, so far as is
consistent with the general interests Of the ser.
vice, without increasing the expenses fit
The memorialists wish referc for the fol.
lowing reasons:
lst The expeditions hitherto fitted out have
not all returned because it was imprac,icable to
proceed further.
&C.. Those who have gone furthest have, in
more than one instance, put back with an
open sea before them.
Sd. The experience acquired by preceding
attempts would enable an expedition 10 60 to
sea at this time, prepared to avoid many Of the
obstacles heretofore encountered.
9Th. AS far as explorers have yet gone north
or south, human inhabitants, land and marine
animals, have been found.
5th. Our officers are brave and perseyerinp.
and our seamen among the most hardy and adj.
venturous on earth.
9th. The history Of maritime expeditions
abundantly prove that successful adventure. in
high attitudes, depend rather upon SIN ll,s,rong
and comfortable barks, with we'll chosen and
determined crew, than upon large vessels, with
splendid and costly outfits.
Hh-hii these circumstances combined, jus.
lily US in believing, that an expedition, under
taken at this time, strictly with view to The
Improvement Of science, collect interesting
facts in natural history, open new channels for
commercial enterprise in animal furs and oil,