Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-11

all other items of knowledge upon which may be proper
hereafter to prepare and combine the forces essential 70
the success OF complete and useful exploration OF tbe
interior In the performance Of this duty under the
most favorable circumstances he will encounter the per5
of climate famed for its unwholesome influence upon
the white man. and may hardly hope to escape the exit
bton Of hostility from the natives The spirit which
has prompted him court this perlous adventure, so
honorable to his courage and philanthropy, trust VIII
enable him to brave every hazard with success 20 over
every obstacle in his progress and to reserve HIM
self for the accomplishment of the great object to which
these preparations directed In the mean tme most
earnestly commend the subject Of the exploration to the
early and favorable attention Of Congress- with the ex
preston Of my own conviction that there is enterprise
OF present day that deserves higher degree Of favor
or that will honoraby signaze the enlightened
policy Of this Government in the estimation Of the present
OF future generations. II will require liberal appro
pratisn money and enlarged discretion to be conded
to the Navy Department for the organization and arrange
ment ofa plan of operations which must embrace the
employment Of number OF men, the supply Of boats,
ornaments md TOOLS and the enlistment Of such scientific
aid long laborious inland exploration bese with
many dangers Ind difficulties, will suggest
With view to the preparatory operations OF Comman-
der Lynch and in consideration Of the need which
the African squadron has at all times for such an auxi-
ary Ihave directed the small steamer Vixen to be pre-
pared without delay and that to constitute
apart OF the force under the command Of Commodore
Mayo who is about to take charge Of the squadron He
will be instructed Lynch with every
facility which his position may allow. small sum Of
money has also been placed the disposal Of Commander
Lynch for the contingencies Of his present service
The second expedition to which have referred has
grown out Of the recent decree The Provisional Director
OF the Argentine Confederation which has very lately
reached this country and which open TO nay
CATION that long and excluded country lying upon
the tributaries Of the river La Plata The Uruguay and
the Parana at last opened by this decree to the
of all nations who may choose to seek the new associa
lions which they offer to the spirit of adventure Avast
territory Of boundes for its treasures
of vegetable and mineral wealth. extending like the Mis-
sissipp from south north and reaching through TWEEN
tyour parallels of latitude with every climate between
the temperate and torrd zones and with every variety of
product which may be gathered from the aiuvia plains
of the ocean border to the heights of the Andeshs
the field into which the liberal decree of President Ur
guiza has invited the enterprise of our country well
of other nations, who will be equally prompt pursue it.
We have waited with anxiety for the occasion to add this
resource to the industry of our people, and am sure
twill crafty the commercial pride and please the emulous
ambition of the nation not less than it will secure great
and permanent advantages its trade to have the Anne
rican flag and national vessel the first to receive the
greetings of the population who at the foot of the Andes
and along the navgable waters of inland Brazil Bolivia
and Paraguay ready welcome the first messenger Of
commerce and throw their treasures into his hand.
Anticipating the approach of this opportunity with
your approval admonished Lieutenant Page, before it
arrived to hold himself in readiness for exploration of
these rivers and directed the steamer Water Witch to be
put in condition for the service She is nearly equip
ped and Lieut. Page will be ready to take his departure
at the first moment that the steamer may be fit to receive
him. He is provided with able crew, well adapted to
the nature of his expedition and seconded by officers
chosen for their efficiency both in the sphere of
ship and scientific labor A few boats are provided
adapted to the navigation of the upper streams above their
falls and the equipment though Of simple and unexpen
sive kind will be in all respects may enable Lieut.
Page to accomplish the duty assigned to him.
These four expeditions each Of them Of highly inte
resting character and likely to be productive Of results
which will be benefciay felt and long after
the who may procure them shall have passed away
constitute in great part the chief and most important
pics which have engrossed the of the Navy Depart
ment during the past year.
1t gives pleasure report in connexion with these
the return of Lieut. Herndon, to whom consigned in
conjunction with Passed Midshipman (now Leutenant)
Gbbon exploration Of the valley of the river Amazon
and its tributaries These officers directed
the Corlleras in Peru and Bolivia and by selection Of
the most udicous routes of travel with small company
OF for the employment of whom means were furnish
ed by this Department explore the valley of the Anna
zon, and to descend that river to the More than
year has been spent in the active of this duty
Lieut.. Herndon reached the United States in July last
bringing with him large of interesting and
full facts ndustrously collected by him In the Of
his long and hazardous journey embracing many vaua-
BILE statistics of the country and adding important
contributions the hitherto unknown geographical char
acter Of the country He is engaged in preparing
full report Of the incidents and discoveries of his travel
which win be communicated to you it is placed
in possession Of this Department. beg to commend
Lieut. Herndon to your special appreciation and thanks
for the intelligence and ability and yet for the high
professional zeal he has exhibited in the performance Of
his difficult and honorable duty.
Lieut. Gibbon having taken different route from that
Of Lieut.. Herndon has not yet arrived but may be
pected in the of the winter When he
this city the result of his work will be submitted your
notice
The brig Dolphin which employ red during the last
year. under the command of Lieut. Lee, in survey of
portions Of the Atlantic for the purpose of ascertaning
the position Of some dangerous rocks and shoals which
known to exist in the routes of navigation between
the United States and Europe, has performed useful
vice. OF which the results will be communicated to Con-
gress This work being yet incomplete the Dolphin has
again been dispatched a second cruise Of the
character, under the command of Lieut. Bergman, and
may be expected to accomplish work which will tend, in
small degree to lesson the hazards which have here
ofore embarrassed the voyages of merchant marine
Lady Franklin, whose devotion TO the of her
fortunate husband has excited large sympathy in the
United States has been encouraged to make another
effort determine the fate of the gallant navigator Of the
Arctic sea- and is intent upon the organization of
new expedition under the auspices of our countrymen
Mr. Henry Grinnel and Mr. George Peabody, of London
Their endeavor will be directed to exploration Of the
upper coasts Of Greenland, by land well sea, and
will furnish occasion for valuable scientific observation
tending the ascertanmeht Of the magnetic poles and
the intensity and dip Of the needle and interesting also
to geological questions connected with the supposed
stence Of open polar and other subjects Of much
Importance in the natural history of globe. Apart,
therefore from its main object there much in the pro-
eced expedition excite high degree Of interest in its
results both in Europe and America.
The distinguished lady whose sorrows have inspired
this zeal Of adventure, and whose energy have given it
intelligent and hopeful direction, has done no
than justice TO meritorious young officer Of Navy
Passed Assistant Surgeon Kane in asking his coopera
ton In this hazardous exploit DR., Kane has already
won high praise from his couurymen by his intrepid