Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-07-02
SOUTHERN EXPEDITION.

We understand that orders have been
issued from the Navy Department, to the
commanding officer of the West India
squadron, for the immediate return of the
sloop ofwar Hornet, to the Navy Yard al
New York, to undergo the necessary re
pairs, to fit her for the expedition to the
South Sea and Pacific Ocean. The Hor-
net is the smallest sIoop OF war, we believe,
in the service, and may, by removing her
heavy armament, and by some other alter
atoms, be made a good discovery ship.
We learn that several Naval officers, on
distant stations, have been sent for to Join
the enterprise. We have not heard who
will be the senior officer, but understand
the appointment viii soon be made. We
learn, also, that it is in contemplation to
send one, or perhaps two, small merchant
briggs in company with the Hornet. These
small vessels will be ofessential service TO
the enterprise, and may greatly extend its
usefulness. We do not know, however,
that these briggs viii be procured by the
Navy Department, but they viii act entire
ly under its control. The provision made
by Congress for the expedition was not as
ample as was desired yits projectors, but
it was all that could be obtained amid the
hurry of the close of the session. The bill
reported by the Committee on Naval AZ
fairs was not acted on, for want Of time;
and the Resolutions introduced by Mr..
REED. of Massachusetts, we believe, ORR
ginated with, and were accepted by, the
friends of the enterprise, including the
Naval Committee, as a substitute for the
bill.
What can be done within the powers
delegated by the resolutions, and without
prejudice to the general interests of the
Naval service. towards accomplishing the
object in view, the Department seems dis
posed promptly to do. We have a great
interest in the Pacific Ocean, and it is dali
~ increasing. Numerous Islands, some
of them inhabited, require further and more
accurate surveys, to render our operations
in the whale fishery less hazardous TO the
lives and property Of our merchants and
mariners.
Discoveries, of the highest importance
to commerce and science, may yet be made
in the great expanse Of the Pacific Ocean,
aud within comparatively low attitudes,
while in high Southern attitudes scarcely
any thing is known. The advances made
by Captain Cook were, we believe, to 81
DEG. 30 min. and Il deg. 10 min., which
still left about $40 deg. of longitude, in
which the Southern circle was never ap-
preached. To these we may now add that
of Captain Welded, who, in 1924 reach
ed a deg. D min. South, and put back
with an open sea before him; all else Of
that region IS still unknown.
Whatever of good may result to the coun-
try from this expedition, Justly requires
that it be attributed mainly to the exerdons
of Mr.. REYNOLDS, whose persevering eff
forts throughout the nation 10 unite public
sentiment in its favor, ultimately obtained
for the enterprise the sanction Of the Ma
tonal authority, and the aid of the Nation
al funds. We perceive, from the late IN
telligence from England, that the British
Government has Just sent off two different
exploring expeditions into the Southern
seas, a fact which shows the commercial
importance which that sagacious People
attach to discoveries which they think pos
sble in the vast unexplored regions of the
Slkthem hemisphere Nat. 1T.