Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1838-09-03
THE EXPLORING EXPEDITION.

spc hing of The Exploring Expedition, the Nor
folk Herald says:
We believe tins is the large,, exploring cXpedi-
TIN ever known aud the expense 10 the govern
ment before II returns vii probably equal the az
tfrra,c 81 all other, thai have been fitted out with
a, the last Gty wears Nhatu an possibly accom-
nish 10 compensate the people Tor 50 lavish an ex-
prndtur- II then treasure, IS beyond our ken but
What sui more awakcns our asonsllmeut Is, that the
Government should have selected lor service so mi
Of peril, aud requiring the experience AMI ski oil
w. an, Ia seamanshp, the youngest officers N the
N4yy for the most pant as limited IA experience
and uupracis IN service they youns ~ years
Adult that thcy are intelligent. active, aud lul oil
III the generous aidoI OF youth and the enthusiasm
II = chyalnc splrt,- We are admonlshed by ne
sagc couusels OF prudence aud experience, that too
efeat a responsibility has been tcsoNcd upon them
n conclusion winch not the most satisfactory re
sulls OF the expedition can change.
" The whole aflir, however, appears to have
been freak OF the administration, taud i costly one
II has been , from the frst Managed without ilN
81 principles Of action or any regard 10 usage Of
pfoprlely the expedition has been made a Jest re
luoach from the beginning uuu ITS Iina departure,
eighteen months alter II Wis thought 10 have been
IN readiness for sea-au interval occupied with per
priual changes of vessels, officers and arrangements,
each mutation stamped with some new absurdhy OF
inconsistency --uot the least OF which has been the
selection oiofhcefs TO Command, Of Junior grade 10
others who bold subordinate stations. The selection
Of LIEUT.. Wilkes to comnnnl the Squadron has
been sufficiently anmadvtfed upon alrcal v aud II IS
needless do dian Instance II. HIS seen
tfr requirements. doubt, quality him In bear a
distinguished part IL the enterprise, anl Rom the
slight acquaintance we have had with him, We are
much prepossessed IN his favor but Is there no
officer II the ravy OF suitable rank, who eau lay
clam To equally tar pretcnslons 10 scanlnshlp and
SCIENCE We hope, Tor the credlt OF The navy, that
thoic IS 4 Lieutenant oi the squadron was ex-
pressing some dissatisfaction to one Of our citlzrns,
that the command Of the two schooncrs should be
eiyen 10 Passed hldsurmen Who we've thus tie
vatrd to POSITIONS above thrir supctIots IN rank.
-" But 10 whom will you prefer Your complaint =
replied the oltlleu. " To your Commander lie
will give You precedent ior 1t IN his own appoint
mtut.' However, IT IS satisfaction Ia know that
The greatest harmony prevails among tie officers,
aud that II thcre the least rivalry among Them II Is
II the ueu SOFT aud Irstl ,acd b, noble ambition
every OF lhem TO be foremost 1T the calls OF
duty.
" hose Whoaic prone IN remark cuit tIdchccs
will orerlop, the t,c dat the squadron pul 10
"a on the anniversary ui the hls OF out brilliant
natDl Irheyem tnfs IA the luc #wat with Great
Buhln, the capture OF the Gutrtrrc by the noble
Cd hlgate, the Constitution, now At this pom, from
Hlncht they took thcir depMlulc--thc l9th ct Au.
Just L. us hal II rs an ausplclous omen ~