The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-07-15

save al single point, and does not appear to
have even seen more than few miles Of il.
whereas the Amerisan Expedition saw and ex-
amined it, as before stated. for a distance Of
more than Sc degrees Of longitude. Probably
the same continent WAS seen some years ago by
Captain flaming. (ses Fanoing's Voyages, page
447)
From the Sidney Herald March 18th
DISCOVERY OF THE ANTARCTIC
CONTINENT.
Amongst the arrivals TO be found in our ship
ping list Of this day, is that Of the United States
ship Vincenncs under the command Of Charles
Wilkes. Esq. The Vincennes has been absent
from this port almost eighty days, most OF which
time has been spent il Southern explo ration,
and we are happy 10 have il in our power 10 an
nounce, on the highest authority. that the
searches ofthe exploring squadron aiiera south
ern continent. have been completely successful.
| The land was first seen on The morning of
the 18th Of January, in latitude &C. 20 south
longitue l54o l6' east.
The Peacock, (Which ship arrived in our har-
Dor on the 22d ultimo, much disabled from her
contact with the ice,) we learn, obtained sound
ings in = high southern latitude. and established
I beyond doubt The existence Of land in that di
I recton. But the Fincennes more fortunate in
| escaping injury, completed the discovery. and
run down the coast from l54' 16' 10 80 As
east longitude, about seventeen hundred miles,
within a short distance Of the land, often SO near
as TO get soundings with few fsthoms of line,
during which time she was constantly surro un-
ed by ics islands and bergs, and experiencing
many heavy gales Of wind. exposing her con-
stanIly 10 shipweck. We also understand that
she has brought several specimens Of rock and
earth procured from the land. some of them
weighing upwards OF one hundred pounds.
| 1t is questionable whether the discovery can
be Of any essential service to commerce: but it
cannot be otherwise than gratifying TO Captain
Wilkes aud the officers engaged with him in
this most Interesting expedition, to have brought
to successful termination the high trust COM
United 10 them by their country, and il is hoped
science and discovery. will induce the govern
ment Of the United States TO follow up by other
expeditions that which is now on the point of
termination.
We understand that the Vincennes will sail
on Sunday OF Monday next for New Zealand,
where the Perpoise and Flying Fish will rejoin
her should they have been equally fortunate
with their two consorts in escaping from the ice.
The Peacock will follow rs soon as her repairs
are completed; whence they will all proceed
in fnrth~rance Of the objects Of the expedition.
! We only add, that we wish then God speed,
- POSTSCRIPT.
Since putting the above in type, We have
been favored with the annexed letter from an
officer of the Vincennes. which, with some va
riations from the newspaper statement, contains
many additional particulars.
-- u. S. Ship Vineennes,
. Sidney hdrbor. Marck l2h, la4O.
We arrived here yesterday form our South
ern cruise. upon the success Of which We all
have reason to congratulate ourselves. We
have discovered land within the Antarctic, and
cruised along the edge OF the barrier ice tseeing
the land frequently upwards Of seventy degrees
Of longitude. All are convinced there is an ex-
teusive continent there. Whether it will be Of
any benefit to msukind, or not time alone can
show. -.
! For my part. no inducements could bs held
out that would make me volunteer to return
there. unless one Of the other vessels should
have been unfortunate enough to be wrecked,
which God forbid. We were unfortunate 10 not
being able TO land take possession, and plant tbs
stripes and stars. When the whether permitted
US to do so, no boat could land tine land be-
log very high, covered with snow, and sloping
gradually TO the wafer. where it was terminated
by ice. descending one hundred or two hundred
feef pefpen0cuiary
! The weather was, part the time, good ana
part. blowing from fresh TO heavy gales. win
thick snow storms, making the navigation eh-
tremeiy hazardous. on account Of The ice -bsrgs
ny which we were generally surrounded. /
have at times counted 100 large ones from tho
deck, without the aid Of glass, taking no no
tics Of small ones.
We found the Peacock here. repairing; al
most perfect wreck having had her stern
( frame lifted, aud all the urtbers broken above
! the main deck, rs FAR forward as the eang-way.
rudder knocked of, forefoot carried away, and
planking Knocked up to within an inch and
/ hall Of her ~sod ends. How she arrived here.
! il seems impossible TO conceive. did not sup
nose y vessel in her condition could bold to-
cether long enough 10 do so. She was caught
| in the ice. and jammed by the closing Of the
passage after she went 10. hope that The brig
I and schooner have escaped, aId that we shall
find them At New Zealand.
/ From an arrival to-day from IIobau-to~s
ivan Dienan's Land) weiesrn that the French
Expedition is there. and that they discovered
land the same day we did in 66 s. sod 80 East.
IL is no doubt con,insaiion Of what we sa~
and will reader the honor Of being FIRST. dispu-
ted ies some time. do not think they ean
boast much. rs they were satisfied win $40
gle sight. owing TO the Zelees being near lost
/ We have eoasted the new Continent 1900 "iies.
We have been very cordially received ey me
people Of this place. aud they are deiermined 70
have Ms fret. whether or no-We leave Tor lhe
Bsyof Islands on Ssrdsy'
! We expect TO be At the SsnSuleh Islands IN
July. aud again IN lsn. losl. Anef ihsi' to
Mspill. for = month or two. thence io Sinss
rcr-. An-ier Point, and Cape ofCcod ti"r..