The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-20

track Captain RoDGERs Of the ship Fabiu.
says: "June, 1851, passed close TO cluster
of rocks, about 200 yards long, SO in breadth,
and 10 out Of the water; cannot be seen over s
or miles on clear day; and in thick weather
or dark night would be very dangerous.
There are several islands laid down on the
charts in this vicinity, but none Of them are
have this part of the ocean surveyed, as it is
directly in the passage Of vessels from China
to California, Oregon, or the Sandwich
Islands," These are a few Of the numerous
announcements which annually fill the public
journals. In this same track, sone,chere, is
an island called "Ou Sima;" and inasmuch
as it has been reported three times severally by
different cruisers as newly discovered land,
there must be some doubt as to its true position.
The little that has been seen of this island
induces the belief that it is productive. Judg-
ing from the lines of bearings, as given by the
different claimants to discovery, it may be in
extent north and south from 10 to 80 miles, and
east and west from 80 to 6O-an island Of no
Insignificant dimensions. To what nation it
belongs is not known. We may reasona-
bly, conclude from its appearance that it is
fully capable Of affording place Of refuge
in time of need, and an abundant supply to
our hardy whalemen when returning from
the rigid north, to recruit, in more congenial
climate, the wear and tear of their physical
energies. Many long and tedious passage in
search Of some hospitable shore, on which to
rest the sick and diseased. might be saved the
anxious mariner, could he be assured that this
island would afford him haven of safe an
chorage and relief to his suffering crew.
Commerce. also, may here find port open
to receive it. An island Of this extent
cannot DO without its haven. This estab-
lished, commercial relations and intercourse
necessarily follow. The obstacles to the free,
bold, and fearless navigation Of the route
from CALIFORNIA to CHINA contribute in an
eminent degree to keep the sailor anxious,
and in doubt as to his safety. from the
time at which he reaches their supposed vicin-
i,y until he is safely beyond them, and within
the region traversed by the English, French,
Dutch, or Spanish surveyors. To the works
of these nations, SO far as they have gone in
forwarding the onward march Of commerce, we
are entirely indebted. Our commerce, wide
and extended as it is-nerely surpassed by one
must be, dependent on their efforts and results
for its safe Observation-Disclosures it does 20
safely-unless we contribute our fair proportion
towards the construction of accurate and relia-
| BILE charts.
Detached portions Of Engand's navy may
be seen, in vessels well appointed, conducting
surveys wheresoever her interests demand
them. By them she was enabled, during the
war Of 1912 with CHINA, to lay siege to and
blockade Canton, to the CONSERVATION of all
CHINA. By them, her squadron in 1850 was
enabled to ferret out from their lurking places,
along the coast of CHINA, hordes Of riratical
junks, the plunderers of the coasting trade.
By means Of her surveys, these seas. and es-
pecially this coast, have been navigated; not in
such security as might be desired, but still in
such as we should not have enjoyed without
them; and now she is leading her trade along
the coast of CHINA-throughout the extent
it is allowed to go-by ways unknown before,
and pointing out safe and secure anchorage
against those devastating typhoons which carry
all before them, especially on the open ocean.
We reap the benefits of these works, and in as
great degree as those who bore the burden of
them. Shall we, then, with folded arms, de-
cline all cooperation in works of which we be-
come daily dependent recipients?
The region designated in the bill before Con-
gress as demanding special attention appeals
more appropriately to the Government of the
| United States than to that of any other coun-
try, because her interests involved are of
more vital character. No other nation has the
same amount Of wealth embarked in the whaling
business; neither is there any other nation SO
deeply interested in the route from CALlFoR-
uIA to CHINA, the PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, INDIA,
&c., independent Of her interest, equally with
any other nation, in any and every other ap-
proach to these countries. Though the time
ever has been that the UNITED STATES were
morally bound, in good faith to her national en-.
ergy and enterprise, to contribute her share
towards the advancement of commerce, the OBJ
legation has Of late become doubly binding, be-
cause of the recent discovery Of the whale in
great numbers in the icy regions, on the one
hand. and Of the acquisition of CALIFORNIA on
the other.
The rich harvest to be reaped in field where
one months labor equals the product of twelve
elsewhere, has stimulated the energies of our adj
venturous whalemen to deeds of daring almost
miraculous in their execution. Let us foster
this spirit, sustain this energy, with assurances
that however surrounded by mountains and
fields of ice-dangers perceptble to the eye
there shall none lie hid in the whaleman's path.
The acquisition Of CALIFORNIA has revolu-
tionized the course Of trade carried on with
CHINA, INDIA, MALAYSIA and AUSTRALASIA.
The stimulus impaired to our trade by this ac-
QUESTION, though productive already of wonder
full effects, has merely given to that trade it's
intancy. In the rich products Of these coun-
tries, in the facilities of transportation, the
ononinu of new and rpoyo ovnod;t;ouo r<utoa