The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-11-30

mountains along the coast, you afford the navigator the
means to determine his distance from hem and TO X the
place of his ship at sea, when the lights OF heaven lhe
selves may fail him 10 his straits iff
He who ELECTS fact from nature often makes dis
covery, says Humboldt of more value than he who dis
covers an island in the Here presented bum
die OF facts the importance and bearing ofwhch like the
bearings of every new fact gathered from nature, 1t is
impossible TO oresee This expedition could be accom-
plshed without any, the least Inconvenience TO The pub
he service, and at cost ing that the sum expended
upon the pole which stuck up the top OF the Cap
tol, TO be taken down again nuisance would deray
the expenses Of twenty such expeditions The spot to
be exploded was mysterious one those who had visit
ed before, had died. and by their fate invested 1t with
infancy up associations OF terror and awful vengeance
were, in tho minds Of millions associated with the name
Of that spot and throughout the entire length and breadth
of Chrisiendom there was eager not an de curiosi
ty with regard TO IT. explore IT would rebound TO the
glory Of the navy aud the honor of the nation. Expedi
tons from other countries had been attempted and had
failed The American navy never fails; and one of its
most accomplished officers, willing 10 rsk his HE and
reputation upon success appeared entreat Tor leave to
20 His request came before an officer OF the govern
ment brother statesnan high-minded, as generous
and true hearted himself was therefore enler-
Lieut.. Lynch has re leemed his pledge; he has
veyed the Dead sea- returned in safety he and his party,
10 their ship and may long be expected 70 arrive IN
f I 1nsl Who S banned a III this .s expedon is vnan
Mason who authorized IT, is Virgnian; and could we
envy the patriot any OF the fruits OF his Labor should
me'of all covet The honos which Mason deserves Tor
We have some notes which we have treasured up for
the benefit Of our readers, and Of all who look with
longing eyes and eager minds for the results OF this inter
esting and honorable service. We oiler lew OF them
now perhaps will give more OF Them at another time
In the sprin, of 1871 Lieut. Lynch first addressed the
Secretary upon the subject "ln The hopes" said that
officer, hat may receive your SANCTION respectfully
submit proposition to crcumnaylgate and explore lake
Asphaies or Dead sea- and lis entire course.
The expense will be trfling and the OBJECT easy OF
attainment
sour ships frequently touch a! Acre in Syria.
60 That place is forty miles distant from the loot OF
Lake Liberals, OF Gaee. Through and from the
last the river Jordan runs, and debouches IN the first
named sea. rsr
"rhe frame Of boat with its and their provisions,
can be transported on camels from Acre Liberals. AT
the latter place The boat can be put together and the crew
embark and accomplish the desired work in fifteen days.
Arms and tent and few mathematical instruments,
provisions and water, all that will be required The
tent can be made on board ship temporarily used and
the canvass afterwards applied to other purposes on board
ship The arms from the ship, and the ordinary ratons,
VIII suffice and the boat ltse can be safely returned.
The Dsad sea has been e.lcumnavgasd out By one
in eight days Unfortunately he undertook It at a most
nsaabous season Of the year. and died at the termina-
lion OF The voyage without leaving journal or notes
behind. KIN #8 be, tss.
"I'hs proposition pertains TO subject maritime in its
nature and therefore pucnlary appropriate to your ece
advance the OF science and crafty the Christian
world" s 81 ae5lot
The proposition came at time when the Secretary
combined attack upon Vera Cruz. He promised to con-
slider the matter favorable opportunity should
occur. And an opportunity did occur winch made me
execution most appopos. The Spanish government had
withdrawn the privilege hitherto allowed us OF having,
at Port Mahon depot OF stores for squadron in the
Mediterranean Ii was therefore found necessary to send
Out sore-shp to that sea- and keep her there with
provisions &c. on board, to supply the wants OF the
squadron as they arose. ECat ~
for Ibis purpose. After delivering to the squadron
enough to satisfy for the time large portion OF her stores
would still be left on board, and she would have to re-
main in port for several months, waiting for the first de-
livery be consumed Ii she continued IN port her OIL
GERS and would continue with her OF course drag
ging proiess and tedious time, II not contracting
idle habit from the mere want OF occupation
Lieutenant Lynch was most accomplished seaman
Officers were scarce for most OF them had been sent
down 10 The Gull, and the cargo OF the Supply was
most valuable 1t therefore occurred to the practical
and business mind of the Secretary to send Lieut. Lynch
in command OF the supply" with his party as part OF
Commodore meet the wants OF the squadron and then,
instead of lying idle in port doing nothing but wait for
the men OF war TO up what had given them, to
allow her to poceed with Lieut.. Lynch up the Levant,
and land HIM and his party taking care that after landing
them, enough should be lelt on board TO manage the
ship.
Instead, therefore, OF ideness here active useful,
and credabe occupation for part OF her crew, while
the remainder could, as well as thousand men, take
care of the ship port in her short and pleasant trips
of few days from place to place. The arrangement
was admirable. Lynch was IN the very nick OF time
with his proposition, and the opportunity presented was
While, therefore, the preliminary arrangements are IN
progress here Yet take glance at what was trans
png another quarter OF the globe with regard TO the
subject, ~ . Ilrs. G.feat Yu tFr
AT the very time that Lieut.. Lynch engaged with
his preparations IN New York, Lieut. MoyneuX, gallant
officer OF the British navy, actually engaged in trans
porting on backs of camels and IRON the very point
suggested BY Lieut. Lynch boat for the survey OF the
Dead sea .fst i.sa,i
The plans of these two officers for approaching and
exploring that sheet of water remarkably similar
Neither knew that the thoughts OF the other were IN that
direction at all But, that navy officers OF different
services and in parts OF the world far remote, should
EACH without the knowledge OF the other be engaged
with the original idea, is one of those curious COM
clenees of mental sympathy which is sometimes OBJ
served 10 take place among OF science The Gomez
ence is as striking the OF lie Verier and Adams
with the lie planet ,i. t,.uy
On the Goth Of August, 1917, Lieut. Molyneux, OF H.
NJ s Spartan, was landed at Acre with few seanen.
Hiring guides, cafels and horses he started early the
next morning with the ships dngep-a very small boat
Tor the sea OF Galiec and the 23d he was embarked
on its blue waters
The natives manifested great reluctance to his de-
seeming the Jordan. But by show OF arms, with
threats 10 shoot the Sheks who annoyed him on the
way he made good his descent, though it was IN part
accomplished BY land -,
| The 81 of September found him fairly embarked on
the Dead The greatest depth whIch ne louna Is
said to be 1880 feet Al noon on tne 9tn ie parry re-
Turned to their tent on the shore, completely done up
Everything and BODY in the tent covered with an
! offensive shiny substance from the water Ihe IRON
was corrojed and looked if covered with coal tar.
Having dsembarked, the dingey was again mounted on
the hacks OF canels and the party proceeded with 10
| Jen,saleu1 Lieut. Moyneux returned TO his ship by
way of Jafa, and died soon after getting on board.
ri',a news of his melancholy fate could not when il