The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-03-15
. CONGRESSIONAL.
REMARKS OF non. wILAAn pIeLl

OF PKSssYLyAsIA H'@....
Delivered IN the United States Senate March l2 1856
DR. KAsEs ARCTIC EXPEDITION. .
I Mr. BioLER Mr.. President present resolutions OF
the legislature OF Pennsylvania reference 20 the eped-
! have read. ua. n .0.
(The Secretary read The resolutions which recognise on
the part M Dr. kanes native State the value of the services
rendered ~ the expedition which be commanded and the
gallant eVnddct displayed In its and return
to him. and the officers and under his command the
thanks o the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania They also
commend ne results Of the explorations worthy of the
attention and patronage OF the general government
move That the resolutions which just been read be
referred 70 the Committee the Library with nsuc-
uons TO Inquire into the expediency OF purchasing for the
use o. the nae certain number of copies of the Nara
| tive ot Drh Il. kanes Expedition to be published by
WIKI il s.ssent Of the senate sr. rrssiden,.r will
submit ee efemarks In explanation OF the motion which
have just made II is generally known sir that Dr. f.
Kane of Philadelphia acting under the instructions OF
the Navy Department and supplied mainly through the
generous patronage Of Mr. Grinne of New York. left the
United states in May 1853, the commander OF expe
diton bound to the Arctic region with the humane pur
pose OF discovering il possible the fate Of Sir John Frank
lin and that be returned safely in September last
Though unsuccessful far relates to the fate Of the
English navigator the expedition eminently fortunate
IN other things Its operations have developed new fea
lures n the physical geography OF the globe and will
tribute toward the illustration of the principles of that
geography They will extend the limits of human know
odae and interest pages OF American
history asthey have certainly already greatly widened the
tame ui thebfnye and sku under whose they
werc produced and excited the gratitude Of the nation
wards those generous men, Messs Grinue of New York.
and Peabody OF London, who contributed much
tain the enterprise
In brief of the expedition addressed to the Sec
rotary of he Navy the Doctor has summed up the principal
features ofbis explorations as follows:
The survey and deneation the north
land to its termination by great glacier.
The survey of this glacial and its extension north
ward intoihe new land named Washington.
The dseovery of large channel to the northwest free
from ice and leading into open and expanding equal
ly free. The whole embraces iceess thousand
T. The discovery and deneaton of large tract Of land
forming the extension northward of the American oont
nept
The completed survey of the American coast to the
south and west far Cape Sabine thus connecting
with the last determined position Of Captain nge
field and completing the circuit of the and bay
tofore known at their souhernmost opening Smith
| Sound. ~.
These vast Developments it will be perceived Mr. Pres-
dent of great value, furnishing additional knowl-
edge of the formation of the globe and as tending to
confirmation Of recognised theories in geography They
will most certainly become subject of peculiar interest in
the circles of the learned and scientific in ell parts of the
world II not of practical value to the navigating nations
As evidence of the general interest the subject will
evidently excite may be remarked, that although but
few months have elapsed since the return of Dr. Kane and
but brief synopsis of the dongs of the expedition has
been given to the public the veest interest has already
been excited in this country and in most Of Europe
its great achievements Indeed, sir, it ia attractive
topic The feais Of the most daring the field of battle
not better calculated TO touch the chords Of the Amer-
csu eart saS coaland general admiration than The
sgng discoveries and thrilling adventures incident 10 the
career Of daring navigator and explorer. This feeling
peculiarly strong with enteprsng and progressive
people When in my own State, few days since. met
the most significant proofs OF popular interest in Kanes
exploits Many were anxious TO know when they to
have the pleasure OF reading complete narrative Nor is
this desire confined to the learned and scientific; found
il equally strong with the farmer mechanic and laborer
Many testimonials Of appreciation have nready reached the
Doctor his quiet ome at Philadelphia. The Royal Ge-
ogRphica Society Of England the highest authority on
qseson OF discovery hare already adopted the Doctors
chart and reliable feature in geography and have
named the Of open water discovered by him Kanes
open Polar sea- and have by resolution assigned him
front rank among Arctic explorers They have also in
store for him. as learn, personal compliment in the
shape Of gold medal The French government ALSO ever
in its recognition of genius and courage and
generous in its patronage Of the and sciences has
gRtulaed The Doctor on his triumph The venerable Hum
bold prince in the science of geography has expressed
his delight with the success of the young American
The legislature Of Pennsylvania, Kanes native State by
the RESOLUTIONS which have just presented have expressed
their qualification with the results of The expedition their
high estimate Of their tellowctzen who directed its
MEETS and have thanked him for the honor his career has
conferred upon his native State and commended his
the favorable notice Of Congress The legislature
Of New York by unanimous consent have evinoed their
estimate of the expedition by presenting its leader with
gold medal Complimentary resolutions have also been
passed by the legislatures Of Maryland and New Jersey
The New York Geographical Society and other
learned and scientific associations In different parts Of the
world have already manifested special interest in the
achievements of the Doctor But the testimonial which
has made the deepest impression upon his feelings
the shape of words of eoquence thanking him for his
heruc eforts in behalf Of her lost husband
complete history OF the discoveries adventures and
thrilling incidents Of the eKpediton-he story Of what
was done and suffered by its individual members-will
compose work OF the Hvelies interest The Doctors re-
port The Secretary Of the Navy but condensed
mary of the results Of the tour and quite insufficient
CRAFTY the public curiosity, do justice TO the brave
who have suffered and sacrificed so much The Doctor
however r President am glad know has prepared full
narrative Of the events Of the xpedonpropery emna-
ting eaC feature and has placed in the hands Of Mesrs
Childs Peterson, OF Philadelphia, for publication 1t
will compose work Of volumes octave Of about nine
hundred pages; Is To be printed the finest paper, and
bound substantial manner and be embelished
wtI tssSe hundred wood-cuts twenty-five steel engra-
wings anh contain three maps Of the Arctic region II is
intended that this work shall excel not only in thrilling
interest but 10 mechanical style that shall OF the
time, reflect the daring genius and artistic skill Of our
countrymen. II will be given to Congress at the rate Of
i've dollars per copy. subscription to this work, Mr..
President perhaps the only mode that Congress
adopt obtain and disseminate the information gained by
the expedition. This much-this modest compliment
should Mr.. President in my poor opinion, be granted
aud tnat promptly as manifestation Of 1poual esteem
for this remarkable man.
Tho leader Of this expedition Is a constituent Of mine,
and right proud am TO acknowledge the relation and
perhaps this Circumstance will plead my apology for the
sociiude may manifest the subject II any have sup
posed that chance accident has conferred upon Dr. Kane
his present greatness beg say they mistaken He
not borne TO greatness IL thrust upon him be
has achieved it II the work Of bis gebusof his
daring spirit and safe Judgment He s beyond all ques
tion Mr. President of the most remarkable young men
of the present day, say young sir for he has not at
tanned the age thrtyfye though measuring his day
by the ideas his brain has produced and by what he has