Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-12-30
The Dead Sea.

Some of our wing papers endeayoring, in their
usual tuppenny cap-tap style, 10 make political cap
tai out of the fact that expedition TO the Dead Sea
has been authorized by the government. They con-
tras this with the refusal of the President to sanction
extravngant and unjusable appropriations for west
ern rivers and hdrborS: The right the wrong of
either Is not involved in the other; both depending on
their intrinsic merits. When we ask for appropria-
tons that justifable we shall get them; but as
long log-roll in conjunction with those which
are not right, shall no, and ought not to get them.
The following explanation of the Dead Sea cxPcd-
ton, from the Journal Of Commerce, will show hnw
little foundation there is for The hnmbugs which the
wings endeavoring TO play off:
EXPLORATION OF THE DEAD SEA.-Whe our squad
ron Withdrawn from tie Mediterranean operate
elsewhere, ii rumored that some Mexican prIva-
teers had appea red in that and indeed Amer
lean vessel was actually captured and carried into
Spanish port. Dy vessel under the Mexican flag
Our merchants became alarmed and asked for the pro-
tectiun Of their property a1oat in that quarter The
Secretary of the navy promptly accceded to their
quest The steamer Princeton withdrawn from
the Gulf. aud despatched TO Gibraltar; the Marion,
aud small schooner being her consorts. This squad
has been actively engaged the duties assigned
it, TO the entire satisfaction of the government. 1t
has of course become necessary to send out supply
ship with the requisite for the station, but
we'll known that vessels of this description
PEELED TO remain at particular ports for months at
time, aud neither officers find as much
occupation as they desire.
On the present occasion, Lieutenant Lynch, the
commander Of the U. S. ship Supply with Lieutenant
Dale, gentleman of great scientific attfinments, have
obtained the consent Of the Secretary of the Navy
employ some of their leisure in making a visit to
Lake Asphaltites, or what we usually term the Dead
Sea. Tie Secretary has favored the project of those
gentlemen, and furnished them with several extra
boais, truck, aud some Indispensable apparatus for
making the necessary observations. The whole ex-
pense of this outlay is however, but five hundred dol
lars.
The expenditures heretofore authorized by gov
eminent for purposes have added greatly to the
materials of science, and the reputation of coun-
try. Those of Lewis S. Clark, of Gen. Cass. OF
ry great Importance.
i The proposed exploration of the Dead Sea- is no,
only convenient, but opporune. The world is much
interested in the condition of Palestine, and there
seems be prevailing opinion that further impor-
tant discoveries are soon to be made there.
DR.. Durbin has furnished with the curious re-
suits of his personal examination of this celebrated
lake. Harriet Martineau visited it in April last and
has published an account of her visit.
The only person who is known to have crossed il
was an Irlshman by the name of Costigan. He sue
ceeded in crossing the lake in open boat in the
month of July, 1885, but suffered SO much fatigue and
exhaustion and lily prepared for the adventure
that he fell sick and died. He made no notes of what
he saw, nor did he communicate to his friends any
verbal information the subject during his illness
His remains are deposited in the American burying
ground at Jerusalem.
A great MANY important questions remain to be de-
ternined, therefore, by Lieuenants Lynch and Dale
and they exceently well qualified to succeed in
the enterprise.
This turning Of the science and physical force Of
war; the pursuits of useful knowledge, is honorable
to the Secretary of the Navy. 1t affords some relief
from the din of war, and will show the world that
however much our brave army and navy may be en-
gagged in undertakings which they dsapprove, we have
not altogether fOrsaken the paths of peace and USE
fulness.