The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-10-31

u,
The soul immersed in raptures' sea
In fancy seems from earth to flee.
ss
THE EXPLORING EXPEDITION.
We have been favored with copy Of the following
order, issued by Commodore Jones and read to the
crews OF the several vessels composing the squadron
under his command tho evening Of their departure
from this ort-Notok Herald
GENERAL ORpER-No. 1.
To the Officers, Petty Officers, Seamen and Marines,
composing the crew Of the United States South Sea
Surveying and Exploring Expedition.
After more than twelve months Of most anxious sus-
pense, at length enabled 10 to you the
pleasing intelligence of the near approach of the day.
when shall take departure for the distant and
unknown regions Of the Southern hemisphere.
In the prosecution of the voyage we about to
derake, there is every thing to excite interestto
aroise patriotism, and to crafty ambition is not
only national undertaking, in which the hopes and
dent wishes OF great nation nvov ed but, towards
the United States surveying and exploring expedition,
are turned the eyes Of all Europe and your success
full abors it is fondly anticipated will only secure
great commercial benfts and enduring honor TO your
country but will enlarge the bounds Of knowledge, and
and duse the blessings Of civilization and Christianity
among nations unknown.
But the attainment Of the objects of pursuit. will
only be the reward Of strict discipline, perseverance,
patient endurance and jealous effort, in the prosecu
ton OF voyage ranght with difficulty hardship toll
and suffering OF this however, all Of you were doubt
less, aware before you entered your and became
members Of expedition, the successful termination Of
which viii attach high and imperishable honor to the
name Of each and every individual who shall faithfully
discharge the duties of his station.
To meet and counterfeit far as possible, the in
convenience and suffering consequent TO voyage Of
long DURATION in the course of which may have to
encounter every vicsstude Of climate, every precau
ton has will be taken comfort and to
fortiy ourselves and ships, to be enabled to
resist the effects Of the EXTREMIST cold, should
by accident or choice winter in tho polar Ample
supplies OF good and wholesome provisions have been
provided also will be most liberal allowance Of
hospital stores, and various kinds of anti-scorbutcs
these will be issued gratuousy, in sufficient quantities
to preserve health and promote cheeruness, content
and alacrty in every department Of the expedition. Ex
ira warm clothing OF superior quality designed to be
used in the highest ATTITUDES, have been provided and
whenever your comfort and necessities require
clothing than would be drawn ordinary cruize,
these articles will be served out without charge
pense to each individual. In word, am authorised
in saying that pains expense will be spared in the.
completion Of our outfit to supply each and every ship
with every description Of stores which tend to per-
sona comfort and to reward those services upon the
jealous and faithful performance Of which must depend
the success Ut this our first great national enterprise
The time which has already elapsed since Of you
signed articles orthe South Sea Expedition, having in
few instances exceeded full third part Of the
templaed duration Of the voyage, much Inconvenience,
inquietude, and dissatisfaction would undoubtedly be
found in the Of the different expiration of
your terms Of service distant and remote regions,
where you could neither be paid Off nor be sent home
from want Of suitable conveyance
Under these circumstances | am authorised by the
Hon. the Secretary Of the Navy to say, that to each
and every petty officer, seaman ordinary seaman, lands
man and boy, who will sign new articles to serve the
term Of three years from the first day Of November next
hn,p tlrna 1prI
to the station which each may occupy on board his
respective vessel at the time OF signing the articles
shall be paid to each individual at the time Of signing
the said articles, which, however will not be offered to
you until after arrival at New York, for which port
we shall sail at the close Of the present week.
To the marines, who, like the hardy sailor have
been found true to their country and their duty would
say discrimination will be made to their prejudice;
every indulgence and every extra allowance granted to
the seamen will in like manner be extended to the ma
zine The only discrimination which shall tolerate,
will be that OF deciding the character Of men accord
ing to their conduct. Were to say, that discipline is
to be relaxed or punishment excluded from the slips
and vessels ot the squadron, should lead you into
error, and excite expectations which would surely lead
you astray In squadrons composed Of vessels Of differ
ent rates and descriptions is not uncommon for
to feel, suppose themselves. degraded by transfer
from one vessel to another from larger to smaller
vessel This impression is erroneous, and must not be
entertained the crews Of each and any vessel of the
South Sea surveying and exploring expedition, are all
upon the same footlng,-all have signed the same or
similar articlcs,-al will be fed, clothed and treated
alike, aud, before said the only discrimination will
be IN the rewarding Of merit and the punishment of
crime.
To you gentlemen, whose commissions the reward
OF long and well tried services, afford such ample qua
ranee for the faithful discharge Of your several
whatever new situation you may be placed, am sorry
to say, Government has not followed the example
Of those of Europe which have sent out similar exped
tons. To you no additional pay emoument has yet
been offered but believe not that your prvatons will be
unrequited or your abors unrcwarded. Although am
not authorised to offer the officer any allowance at all
commensurate with the extraordinary expenses which
outfit for this long, arduous voyage necessarily
subject him to; still, cannot for moment suffer my
self to entertain the supposition but that,
should the results Of our voyage only up
sonablc expectation, generous people and liberal
Government will bestow upon US all, honors and
wards commensurate at least with the hardshps we
shall have endured and the objects shall have at
tined. "'@
have said, that in the voyage we are about to un-
derake, there is every thing to excite lnterestto
arouse patriotism-and crafty ambition. Such is the
universal sentiment. Throughout the world, new
spirit Of enterprise seems to be awakened England,
France, and Russia, have each expeditions aoat, and
whether the results Of the voyage being made shall
be to enlarge the bounds Of knowledge science, Chris
tianity or commerce IN every point Of view, whether
Oh Horai, poiticai Ut phlanthTopc character, the
rivalry which has been excited is worthy Of all praise
and that nation which wins the prize by pushing her
discoveries arthes by opening the paths by which the
benefits Of knowledge and the blessings of Christianity
and civilization may be extended throughout the isles
OF the sea- besides reapng the rich harvests Of present
and contingent commercial advantages, will acquire the
proud distinction Of "benetactors of the human race"
IT'S true, competitors in this laudable rivalry
have got the start of but let this discourage, but
rather animate to increased exer,on In the wide field
of polar discovery there is ample work for ALL 1t
may be, that the squadrons of nations situated at the
opposite quarters Of the world may meet in seas now