Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-06-30
Correspondence eftse Ba,,imo,e Patriot.


Correspondence efhe BALTIMORE Patriot.
WASHINGTON, June al, 1912.
The National Institute of thus civ, or
rather oil this country, an Institution which
ere long will occupy largo space in the
public mind, held meeting last evening
at the room of the Institute, over the Pat.
ent Office. The attendance WINS yetv
large, and the meeting of highly in,e-
resting character. Mr. Poinsett, the late
Secretary Of War, presided, and in the
course Of The evening brief addresses were
made by Messrs. Polnsett, the Post Mas.
ter General, Mr.. Wicklffe, the Secrcta.
ry Of the Navy, Mr.. Upshur, Mr.. Pres
ton, of the Senate, and the Commander
OF the exploring expedition.
Lieutenant Wilkes made statement,
IN brief, Of the discoveries from the time
he lief; the country. four years since, in
August, until his return to New York, a
few days since. But little OF il was heard.
except by the few in the immediate circle
of the speaker. " hat was heard, how
ever, bv those the most favored in hear
ing, as well as those farther off, was Of a
character TO give assurance that the voy.
age Of discovery by the expedition, when
published, will abound in matter Of fact
and suggestions OF the most absorbing in
terest. Lieut.. Wilkes vindcnted well
and completely his right to some Of those
discoveries which have since been claim
ed by Capt. Ross. Lieut.. Wilkes spoke
modestly of his discoveries, but in frank
and sailor language rather than in the
more refined bu, no more interesting STYLE
and study Of one bred to the learned pro-
LESSONS.
A resolution was offered by Mr.. Pres
ton, OF South Carolina, requesting Lieut..
Wilkes to continue his narration, and also
to prepare written but succinct version
of his voyage, for the ben,fi, of the lns,i.
tute.
Mr.. WicklifTe doubted the propriety
of this, at present, believing tina, injustice
would be done TO the General Govern
ment, under whose auspices the Expedi-
ton was fitted out, by any premature mar.
ration.
Mr.. Upshur, the Secretary of the Ma.
Wy, was IN some doubt, also, as TO the pro-
prIety Of adopting such resolution at
present. He said, however, that he should
throw no obstacles in the way of such ap-
plcaton. lie believed it, also, to be due
to the fame Of the commander Of the ex-
petition and those associated with him,
that whatever went forth, should bear the
sanction and supervision of those who
had taken part in this noble and success
full enterprise. He promised the institute
and the country every possible encour-
agcment and facility in spreading before
the nation the rich fruits Of an enterpsso
which did infinite credit TO the Govern
ment, and the greatest honor to those who
participated IN the expedition.
Mr.. Wickliffe, Mr.. Preston, and Mr..
Upshur all paid the highest compliments
to those who took part in this enterprise,
and the audience responded with enthusi.
asm to every acknowledgment of their
well earned fame.
With some modification, Mr.. Prestou's
resolution was adopted, and i, is left 10 the
discretion Of Captain Wilkes TO say whe.
ther or not he will prepare continued
narration OF his discovers, s, or repeat those
already made.
The room of the Institute was covered
during the evening with some two hundred
charts, prepared during the voyage. 9th
er curiosities were spread out for exami-
nation. 1t was nearly eleven o'clock be-
fore the company separated, and the mo.
ments flew away much too swiftly to ad-
init OF more than peep Of any Of the
many and valuable curiosiiies in and a
bout the institute. w.