The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-10


ost in communicating TO the country the results,
together with descriptive charts Of his survey for
the beneht OF commerce and navigation. These
VIII be duly published often as they are re
celved by the Department ~.
Being persuaded that this Department cannot
better contribute to the fulflment of the high ex
pectations which the country has entertaine ed
as to the value Of the navy, nor perform a more
acceptable duty to the navy itself, than by impart
ing to this arm OF the national power the hi CHEST
spirit OF enterprise, well as the greatest ELI
cheney OF action, have sought every opportunity
TO put In reputation for useful service the various
talent, skill, and ambition Of honorable adventure
which equally Distinguish and cmbeIlish the pro
f'ssional character Of the officers under the control
OF the Department. Constant employment OF
shiPs and men in the promotion OF valuable pub
Tic interests whether in the defence Of the honor
our flag, or in the explora ton of the field of dis
covery and the opening of new channels of trade.
or m the charging of the boundaries of science
am convinced will be recognised both by The
Government and the people as the true and propev
vocation of the navy, and as the means best calcu
lated TO nurs, and strengthen that prompt and
gallant devotion to duty which Is 80 essential u
the character OF accomplished offcersy md SO in
dsPensable to The effectiveness oi-the naval or.
ganization.
Acting in conformity with this opinion. have
awaited myself Of events that favored the object to
set on loot two other expeditions, which may be
classed with those which / have Just presented To
your notice, and from which have every reason
to hope much good is to be derived hereafter. MY
attention has been invited by the Colonization
Society OF pennsylvania to the necessity of prose-
cutlng some researches into the character of the
continent of Africa and especially that portion of
it lying eastward of the settlements of Liberia 1t
10 that exploration OF this region would
lead to the discovery of a broad tract Of fertile
and healthy country, well adapted to the extension
OF that system of colonization which for some
years past has greatly interested the public ntten-
ton, and more recently attracted the favorable
consideration of Congress.
Hhp
society, and referred to your approval regard as
one which may be rendered productive of great
public advantage, and in regard to which you
might confidently bespeak and anticipate the ap-
probation OF the country. ] have therefore not
hesitated, with your concurrence, to give it the
AID which IT was In the power of the Department to
bcstow. As | could not. however, without some
special appropriation to the object organize full
enterprise, have thought that, by the employ
nent OF such means as have been provided for the
ordinary exigencies of the service, might profita-
bly, prepare the way for such expedition as Con-
gress might hereafter think fit to authorize.
have accordingly directed a preliminary investi.
CATION to be made by officer of the navy, whom
have attached to the African squadron with orders
to devote the months of the coming winter to an
examination of the necessary conditions which this
undertaking may require. .. s. -..
In Commander ynch, to whom the country ia
already indebted for important service in another
held have found prompt and ardent volunteer
II
African coast. He will land at Liberia Cape Pal
mas, and other points, and will pursue his inqui-
ries as far as the river Gaboon with view to the
ascertainment OF such localities on the margin of
the African continent as may present the greatest
facilities, whether by the river courses or by in
land routes, for penetrating with least hazard to
the interior. He will collect information touching
the geographical character of the country, its
means OF afiording the necessary supplies of men
and provisions, the temper Of the inha bit nts
whether hostile or friendly, the proper precautions
to be observed to secure the health Of party EN-.
ployed, and all other items Of knowledge upon
which 1t may be proper hereafter to prepare and
combine the forces essential to the success Of a
complete and useful exploration of the interior.
In the performance of this duty, under the
most favorable circumstances, he will encoun.
ter the perIis OF climate famed for it,
wholesome influence upon the white man, and
may hardly hope TO escape the exhibition of
hostility from the natives. The spirit which
has prompted him 10 court this perilous ad-
venture. SO honorable to his courage and philau
thropy, trust will enable him TO brave every haz-
ard with success. to overcome every obstacle in his
progress, and to reserve himself for the accom-
pishment OF the great object to which these pre-
parations are directed. In the mean time, most
earnestly commend the subject of the explor alton
to the early and favorable attention of Congress-
with the expression Of my own conviction that
there no enterprise of the present day that de
serves higher degree of favor, or that will moro
honorably signalize the enlightened policy of this
Government in the estimate of the present or of
future generations. 1t will require liberal ap-
preparation OF money. and an enlarged discretion
to be conhded to the Navy Department for the or.
ganIzation and arrangement of plan of opera
t1ons which must embrace the employment of a
number OF men, the supply of boats, ornaments.
and TOOLS and the enlistment Of such scientific aid
as long and laborious inland exploration, beact
with many dangers and difficulties, will suggest
With view to tho preparatory operations of
Commander Lynch, and alao in Confederation OF
the need which the African squadron has at all
times for such en- auxiliary, l have directed the
small steamer Vixen TO be prepared without delay
and sent to that coast, to constitute part of the
lorce under the command of Commodore Mayo,
who is about to take charge of the squadron. He
will be instructed to furnish Commander Lynch
with every facility which his position may allow.
A email sum OF money has also been placed at the
disposal OF Commander Lynch for the contingent
cies Of bis present service.
The second expedition to which have referred
has grown out of the recent decree of the Proyi-
sionai Director Of the Argentine Confederation,
which has very lately reached this country, and
which now throws open to navigation that long.
sealed and excluded country lying upon the tri
butaries of the river La Plata. The Uruguay and
the Parana are at last opened by this decree to the
new associations which they offer to the spirit of
A vast territory of boundless resource,
proverbal for its treasures of vegetable and mine.
raj wealth, extending, like the Mississippi, from
south to north, and reaching through twenty.
Jour parallels OF latitude, with every climate be.
tween the temperate and torrid zones, and with
every variety of product which may he gathered
rom the alluvial plains of the ocean border to the
Deights of the Andos-th ia the field into which
he liberal decree Of President Urquza has invited
he enterprise of our country, we'll as Of other
nations, who will be equally prompt to pursue it,
we have waited with anxiety for the occasion to
'dd this new resource to the industry Of our peo.
Die; and am sure it will crafty the commercial
bride and please the emuous ambition of the ma
ion, not less than il will secure great and perma-
,ent advantages to it's trade, to have the American
lag and national vessel the fret to receive the
yNtings Of the population who, at the foot of the
ndes, and along the uavigable waters of inland
srazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay, are ready to well
,ome the first messenger Of commerce and throw
heir treasures into his hand.
Anticipating the near approach Of this opportu-
,ity. with your approval, 1 admonshed Lieuten-
mt Page, before it arrived, to hold himself in rcad-
ness Tor an exploration Of these rivers and direct
ID the steamer Water Witch to be put in condition
or the service. She is nearly equipped, and
lieutenant Page will be ready to take his depar.
ure at the first moment that the steamer ma be ft
o receive him. He ia provided with an a bic crew,
veil adapted to the nature of his expedition and
econded by officers chosen for their efficiency both
n tho sphere Of scamanship and scientific labor |
few boats are provided, adapted to the naviga.
ion OF the upper streams above their alls and the
quipment, though Of simple and unc expensive
md, viii be in all respects such may enable |
lieutenant Page to accomplish the duty assigned
0 him.