Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-08-05
IN SENATE.-Aucusr /, ls4s.
EXPLORATION OF OREGON AND CALIFORNIA.

Mr.. BREEsE, from the Select Committee to witch
the subject was referred, made the following Reprt
The select committee to whom referred the resoton
of the Senate inquire into the expedeucy of providing for
the publication the results Of the exploring expedon
oil. c. FREsoSr Cafonis and Oregon to be pubised
as national work, free from cops right and subject he
disposition Of Congress and also inquire into the
diency providing for the continuation and completion Of ne
surveys and exploration of the said j. G. Fremont with
develop the geographical character Of the count,
and the praccabiy of establishing railroad other comm
nicaons between the valley of the Mississippi and the Pacc
ocean, the results of said further and explorations
be also published national work. free from copyright and
subject TO the disposition of Congress, respectfully ask leave
report
That it is matter of great public interest, the comme
believe for the Government and for the people OF the Unis
States become accurately acquainted with the value Of The
large possessions belonging TO the United States beyop
the Rocky Mountains and also with the means OIL commuH
eating with those possessions and with the Pacific ocean,
which they border by railroads other modes of travel ard
conveyance and committee believe, from the knowedse
they have of the inclination of Mr. Frcmonts mind his hi
bits and pursuits and his already great acquaintance with tie
countries question, acquired through extraordinary per
verance, peculiarly well fitted 10 give to the Govern
and TO the people the information desirable for
them possess in relation to the vue of California and
Oregon, and the of communicating with then.
From the early age of seventeen the committee are in
formed Mr.. Fremont has been almost constantly engaged in
astronomical ard geographical pursuits and nearly the whole
time in the open 6ed and the last years nthe ccuRy be-
yond the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains He has made
three expeditions those remote and interesting regions
The results Of the frs. published by order of Con-
gress and commanded general applause both IN this country
and in Europe. The celebrated Baron Humboldt and the
President Of the Royal Geological and Royal Biographies 60
cees London, haze spoken Of them in most favorable TERMS
and eminent scientific and journals OF our own country
have Welded equal commentator. See appendix 10 this
report An assistant of the celebrated Nicoe who was
distinguished member OF the French National Institute, he
has reached commanding position scientific
porer and achieved for himself the designation of the Amer
can Humboldt.
The first question with the committee inquire
the expedency of publishing. national work, free of copy
right and subject the disposition Congress- the results of
this last third expedition of Mr. Fremont; and, although
ayoaby impressed with the value of these results from the
previous abos and character Of the author deemed pro-
per inquire into the real character Of the proposed pubca
lion, for forming judgment this point being al
ready hand in the manuscript map of Oregon and Caor
ns (now the hands of the photographer and which person.
ally the committee have examined and also in the geogaph
cal illustrate that map published by order Of the
Senate and which, is presumed all have read This map
and memoir the judgment of the committee, not only
tain the previous reputation Of the author but enhance it.
might well be expected from ripened intellect from
experienced explorer, and from spirit ardent the
pursuit science and excited by applause exeons
This map and memoir though hastily prepared and
preliminary full work. the reputation Of their
thor, and give valuable information the and
the farmer TO the astronomer and geographer to the Of
science in the walks of botany and meteoroogy But they
don, from the of which the value the whole may
Judged As far the exploration has been carried, every
thing necessary show climate, SOIL and productions
been collected More than thousand specimens in bota-
ny, great number geology and mineraogy, with drawings
OF birds and animals and remarkable scenery and large col
lection of the skins of BIRDS with the pumage preserved have
been the committee informed brought home enrich
the stores and add to the OF human knowledge The
tanica specimens examined by DR.. Torey, deemed by
him of great vaue, and worthy Of the expense Of European
craving, if not done by Government.
The committee upon this of the results Of the last
petition Of Mr. Fremont deem them of great national impo
tance, giving just ideas Of Oregon and California and such
ought be published in the suggested in the
luton under consideration.
The continuation of the surveys and explorations by Mr.
Fremont with view to complete knowledge Of the great
country between the Mississippi and the Pacific ocean,
remaining inquiry referred to this committee and Of the expe
dency OF providing for such continuation they entertain
doubt. II is, in their judgment, but carrying out the plain
suggestion of and the plan of Mr. Jefferson when he
sent Lewis and Clarke TO the Pacific ocean.
Reason tells nation it does individual, that when
it has acquired and distant possession, the first thing
be done to learn its value and the Of getting it,
The instructions Of Mr. Jefferson Lewis and Clarke, drawn
ID BY his hand embraced inquiries under both these
heads, in relation to Oregon they now become still more i'm
portant in relation Oregon and California united, and the
intervening region of the Rocky Mountains which hes
barrier to be crossed turned between those territories and
the valley Of the Mississippi.
The committee think they do not when they assume
as indsputsbe position that the public interest and the
wishes Of the people require further examinations into the
character Of the SOIL climate, and productions the geology
botany, and mneraogy Of Oregon and California and also
into the prsctcsby Of railroad and other communications
between those countries and the valley Of the Mississippi TO
which the public attention has been lately, and now,
much directed and they do not hesitate say that Mr. FIRE.
mont is Of the most, not the most, suitable person 10
make these examinations and publication Of the results
under the direction Of Congress, and without copyright
the most udcious ard advantageous mode Of publication Mr.
Fremont has spent years of his life in explorations these
distant regions and that time has crossed the Rocky Noun
tans, the committee informed, different points
has syersed the country from the Mississippi the Pacific
ocean several different lines and has made about twenty
thousand miles Of explorations in wilderness countes and
understands thoroughly there doubt the general
and con6guaon Of the country and knows where TO
20 and what do to complete his examinations. He has
shown himself be possessed Of all the qualifications for
such enterprise with TO supply wants. to
quer difficulties, and TO command and talent TO
cute his task the satisfaction and admiration Of his
counrymen and Of the first of Europe.
The committee learn with pleasure that IL is Mr. Fremonts
desire TO finish the great work in which be was 30 un
expeciedy interrupted in the Of the last year No
other person probably could for the stated do the
work well, in short time, at small expense
No other personcoud be employed in the work without
poIatng himself the fruits Of his long and srduous labo
and building upon foundations which he has laid, and taking
the credit Of opersons which only the finishing hand Of
their author 10 erect Of honor to himself and OF
utility bis country Il therefore seems but act OF justice
TO this individual that he should be continued work which
he prosecuted