Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-12-14

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From the New Yorker
Surveying and exploring erpedi-
ton to the Pacifc and southern seas.
Connected with this subject we have
an address delivered in the hall of re-
representatives. in April last, by j. N.
REYNOLDS, Esq, the indefatigable pro-
iector Of the enterprise, which we most
sincerely trust is now freed from the
obstacles which have hitherto initiated
against it. The snuctivity of our go
vernment upon subject of such vital
Importance to our commercial prospe-
rity, and advancement in the paths Of
science, cannot be too severely .censu-
red; and we can only hope, that pres
ent present promptitude will, in mca-
sure, atone for past delay, now that it
isfound thatthe public interest requires,
and the public feeling demands it.
Parliamentary bodies should doubtless
weigh gravely and maturely question
of this kind, nor should too much haste
be exercised in relation to its prosecu-
ton, but ten gears deliberation, where
the expediency of the measure and it's
utility were explained in the outset, ar
CUES either an obtusity of intellect on
the part of our national Legislators, or a
willingness yet awhile longer, to rely
upon the maritime knowledge gained
by tl,cindnstryof other nations, which
we have thus far made subservient to
our commercial interests, an A
The objects of the expedition are a.
bly, and forcibly laid down in the ad-
dress of Mr.. Reynolds, and we have
drawnupon itiargely for the data which
we herewith annex.
The United States is considered by
its citizens, if not by the commercial
countries Of Europe, the second mari
time power of the world, and it must
appear evident to the most careless OBJ
server Of our marine affairs, that our
knowledge of navigation does not COR
respond with the requirements, which
Enterprises daily rendering Of positive
'ssy3 Ava VIC OCleSI pIolCcllOn OI
our navigators and mariners in their
reckless pursuit after new sources of
commercial wealth, or to aid them il,
their laudable endeavors to extend the
empire Of knowledge, by exploring seas
hitherto untraversed, or venturine into
harbors, not laid down in any Of the
charts, which European zeal has per-
fected outline.
In = brief sketch of our maritime
history, wherein he speaks in terms Of
merited encomium Of the tolls and har-
dy enterprise Of our hardy seamen,
Mr.. Reynolds has shown, in glowing
coicrs, the perils they encounter, ow-
ing to theirignorance ofthe ocean which
washes our shores, and dangerous break
ers, Ito our shame be it spoken,) we
know literally nothing. unless it NAV
be the meagre information which some
daring navigator Of Europe has supple
ed, in his pursuit after some new ayen-
ne, through which his own country NAV
steer lie nav;.s, and enrich its mer-
chants! Spain, Italy, Portugal, France,
.England-in short, every country that
can boast navy Of an hundred sail,
has contributed something to the stock
Of knowledge connected with naviga-
.lo .1. while Will ! we, nation possessing one