The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-23

Acting 1st Lieutenant. ......J. H. Carter.
........... A. W. Habersham.
Acting Master er............. Beverly Kennon.
Assistant ssas surgeon oo0-eo .a''n''
Assistant Draughtsman. .....-
This expedition, in point Of importance, may be
ranked among the first fitted out by our government
Although it is not in any way connected with that
of Commodore Perry to Japan, yet there is some
thing Of an affinity between them. While the object
of the former is to explore the coasts of ASIA and "a
ciitate the navigation Of the Northern Pacific, the
object of the latter is to benefit our commerce by
opening the ports Of hitherto almost unknown
land, and bringing the far East into communication
with the western boundaries of our republic.
The admirable manner in which this exhibition
has been fitted out the excellent sailing qualities of
the vessels, and above ALL the talent and extensive
scientific requirements Of the officers, give every
assurance for the belief that will be one of the
most successful that ever left our shores The Vim
cennes which is the principal ship of the squadron
is provided with most valuable library of scienti
fc and other works, voyages histories of previous
expeditions, &c. making altogether collection ofone
thousand volumes. This library is intended for the
use of the ocers but there is another Also for the
sailors whose health and comfort have been made the
objects of the special care of the government.
mission of this character must be of exceeding
interest to those engaged in it, afordng as it must
such ample field for investigation and observation
During the summer season, Commander Ringgold
and the efficient officers under his command, will
spend the principal part of their time among those
almostwholy unexplored regions, the Aleutian arch
pelago and the extreme northeastern coast Of Asia,
devong their particular attention to the dangerous
channels leading into the Sea of Ockotsk.
Some Of the vessels were repaired and fitted out at
the Navy Yard in Brooklyn; but they are all at pre-.
sent assembled at Norfolk, in Virginia, from which
place they will sail about the latter part of this week.
We wish the gallant officers who are entrusted with
the important mission pleasant time, and success
full termination of their labors.
CAPTAIN LYNCH's EXPEDITION TO AFRICA
The HEI4LD of Nov. l6, 1852, contained the an
nouncement from private sources that our govern.
ment had completed arrangements for despatching
scientific and exploring expedition to Central AT.
rica, with a view of finding healthy position some
distance inland, adapted to the purposes OF COLOMBIA
ton, the command and entire management of which
was to be entrusted to Commander Lynch, of the
Navy. In his last annual report, the exSecretary
of the Navy, Mr.. Kennedy, says that his attention
'had been invited by the Colonization Society of
Pennsylvania to the necessity of prosecuting some
researches into the character of the continent of At
rca, and especially that portion Of it lying eastward
of the settlement of Liberia" Captain Lynch, we
learn from letter of the President of Liberia dated
Monrovia March Ia, is now his way to this coun-
try, and will doubtless soon after his return make
known the result of his explorations, which are not
yet concluded, however. The instructions which he
received were to the effect that he should pursue his
inquiries into the character of the country as
far as the river Gaboon, with q view to
the entertainment of such localities on the margin
of the African continent may present the greatest
facilities whether by the river courses or by inland
routes, for penetrating, with the least hazard into
the interior" Those who are acquainted with the
nature of the climate Of this part of Africa can form
an adequate idea Of the pers Of the undertaking in
which Captain Lynch was engaged. The United
States ship Constitution, under the command of
Captain Mayo, was detailed for the SERVICE and re-
ceived orders to land Captain Lynch on any part of
the African coast he might desire. The profound
mystery in which the interior of that country has
been involved has rendered 1t sealed book to the
world; and, as all unknown lands have allowed the
largest scope for the fancy Of the romancis so this
has been filed with the creations of the imagination.
Some have contended that race Of white men ex-
isted in the central regions OF that continent in
high state Of civilization, while others were Of the
opinion that they were red men; but none of the
many expeditions fitted out by England and France
penetrated far enough into the interior to decide the
question as to the character Of its inhabitants if 1t
has any, which, we believe has not been ascertained
either. We look therefore, with not little anxiety
to the result Of Captain LSnchs explorations into
this terra ineogntta.
DIR. KANE's ARCTIC EXPEDITION
The second expedition from New York, to the
Polar seas, will take it's departure in few days.
DR.. Kane the celebrated explorer, who has hereto
fore traversed those icy regions in the audable en-
deavor to find some trace Of the amented navigator,
Franklin, goes out in command Of the expedition.
He sails in the Advance the same vessel in which he
made his former voyage. She has been thoroughly
reatted, and every Improvement which DR.. KaAs's
sxpsrisncs osall suggsat haa bsen nads aad svse5.