6 NILES' REGISTER-FEB. 28, 1829-CATHOLICS OF IRELAND. souri, and the territory of Arkansas; whose commission expired on the 11th of February, 1829. Thomas Swann, of the District of Columbia, to be attorney of the United States for the said district, 23d January, 1829. Ether Shepley, of Maine, to be attorney of the United States for the district of Maine, 7th Februa ry, 1829. John W. Smith, of Louisiana, to be attorney of the United States for the eastern district of Louisiana, 4th January, 1829. Alexander Brackenridge, of Pennsylvania, to be attorney of the United States for the western district of Pennsylvania, 3d March, 1929. William A. Griswold, of Vermont, to be attorney of the United States for the district of Vermont, 3d March, 1829. John Gadsen, of South Carolina, to be attorney of the United States for the district of South Carolina, 7th February, 1829. Nathaniel Williams, of Maryland, to be attorney of the United States for the district of Maryland, 3d January, 1829. Nathan Smith, of Connecticut, to be district attorney of the United States for the district of Connecticut. John H. Norton, of Mississippi, to be Marshal of the United States for the district of Mississippi, whose commission expired on the Sd January, 1829. Thomas Morris, of New York, to be marshal of the United States for the southern district of New York, 21st January, 1828. John W. Livingston, of New York, to be marshal of the United States for the northern district of New York, 19th February, 1829. Burrington Anthony, of Rhode Island, to be marshal of the United States for the district of Rhode Island, 3d January, 1329. Samuel D. Harris, of Massachusetts, to be marshal of the United States for the district of Massachusetts, 2d March, 1829. William Trimble, of Arkansas territory, to be a Judge in and for said territory; whose commission expired on the 21st of December, 1825. Benjamin Johnson, of Arkansas territory, to be a judge in and for said territory; whose commission expired on the 23d of January, 1929. Samuel C. Roane, of Arkansas, to be attorney of the United States for said territory, whose commission expired on the 7th of February, 1829. George W. Scott, of Arkansas territory, to be marshal of the United States for the said territory; whose commission expired on the 7th of February, 1829. [The list also contains the names of seven gentlemen appointed justices of the peace within the district of Columbia, five of whose commissions had -expired.] CATHOLICS OF IRELAND. The Dublin Evening Post of the 23d of December, longing to it! But I confess I see no prospect of such a It would be somewhat worse than ridiculous in me to These humane and statesman-like sentiments, (as far as they go), do great honor to your grace's head and nobleman, but not in your present exalted station, with heart, and might appear sufficient if you were a private power to wield, when necessary, all the resources of government: for it would be a slur on the unrivalled and far famed British constitution to assert that, even when well administered, it does not possess or supply means for establishing any thing known to be essential for the peace, welfare, and tranquillity of the empire at large, and for pulling down or removing any intrigue or party spirit that might wantonly attempt to oppose so great a blessing. My friends allow that such momentous exertions may be sometimes unsuccessful when government is conducted by weak or unsupported heads or hands, and that they and I hope, will long have, the happiness to enjoy, who, require such a prime minister as the nation has now, after an uninterrupted series of the greatest victories, and that perhaps ever yet occurred, has been placed at the a successful arrangement of the most important interests head of government by the entire and well-earned con"London, Dec. 11, 1828. "My Dear Sir-I have received your letter of the fidence of our most gracious sovereign, and with the uni4th inst, and I assure you that you do me justice in be-versal applause of the whole empire, and, indeed, of all lieving that I am sincerely anxious to witness the settle- other nations. Under such a chief, exerting his legiti ment of the Roman Catholic question, which by benefiting mate prerogative, they say that no party would dare to oppose the general good; and that if your grace would short time. First, because the thing is utterly impossi intimate, your serious resolution to settle the Roman ble; and next, because, if the thing were possible, I fear Catholic question, its opponents would instantly fly and that advantage might be taken of the pause, by repreappear no more; and if the settlement were once carried, senting it as a panic achieved by the late violent re-acit would in a few days be no more spoken or thought of tion, and by proclaiming that, if the government at than the concessions now are that were lately made to once and peremptorially decided against concession, the the dissenters, for the enemies of such arrangement are Catholics would cease to agitate, and then all the misnot half so angry in reality as they now appear to be, in eries of the last years of Ireland will be to be reacted. order by that bugbear to carry their point. But my What I do recommend is, that the measure should friends have no hesitation in declaring that the project not be a moment lost sight of-that anxiety should conmentioned by your grace, of burying the Catholic ques-tinue to be manifested-that all constitutional (in contion in oblivion, for the purpose of considering it more at tradiction to merely legal) means should be resorted leisure, is totally inadmissible, and would exasperate in to, to forward the cause; but that at the same time, the the highest degree, those who are already too much ex- most patient forbearance, the most submissive obedience cited, and would only consider that measure as a repeti- to the laws should be inculcated; that no personal and oftion of the same old pretext so often employed to elude fensive language should be held towards those who opand disappoint their hopes of redress; but if it even were pose the claims. adopted, it could only serve to augment the difficulties by allowing the contending parties, and particularly the enemies of all concession, the opportunities they seek for preparing their means of resistance and violence, which they have latterly carried to the most alarming lengths, which they have avowed and publicly announced in atrocious and sanguinary terms, to which however, I should not here allude, for I never wish to be an aceuser, but that I am certain your grace must have read those horrible threats, often repeated in the Brunswick Brute force, he should be sssured, can effect nothing. and Orange public prints; and to this latter subject at It is the legislature that must decide this great question; least I must beg leave to call your grace's attention and and my greatest anxiety is, that it should be met by the implore your powerful protection, humbly praying that parliament under the most favorable circumstances, and you will not suffer public peace and concord to be vio-that opposers of Catholic emancipation shall be disarmlated or disturbed under any pretext whatever. An effec-ed by the patient forbearance, as well as by the unweatual remedy would cost your grace but one word. I do not, ried perseverance, of its advocates. however, hereby mean to meddle in temporal affairs, but I consider it my bounden duty to labor incessantly, in concurrence with all my venerable conferees, to impress upon the minds and hearts of all those committed to our spiritual care, sentiments of true Christian charity, moderation, and kind forbearance towards all men without exception. Personality offers no advantage, it effects no good, on the contrary, it offends, and confirms pre-disposed aversion. Let the Catholic trust to the justice of his causeto the growing liberality of mankind. Unfortunately, he has lost some friends, and fortified his enemies, within six months, by unmeasured and unnecessary violence. He will soonest recover from the present stagnation of his fortunes by showing more temper, and by trusting to the legislature for redress. My warm anxiety to promote the general interests of this country is the motive that has induced me to give an opinion, and to offer advice. I have the honor, &c. (Signed) ANGLESEA. To the most rev. Dr. Curtis, &c. EXPLORING EXPEDITION. I beg your grace will excuse the length of this letter,Message from the president of the United States, with and vouchsafe to consider it as a proof of my unfeigned regard, and of the sincere respect with which I have the honor to remain, my lord duke, your grace's most obedient and most humble servant, R. CURTIS. Letter from the lord lieutenant of Ireland, to Dr. Cur tis. Dublin, Phenix Park, Dec. 23. Most rev. sir hasten to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23d, covering that which you received from the duke of Wellington of the 11th inst. together with a copy of your answer to it. a report from the secretary of the navy, relative to the exploring expedition, &c. made in compliance to a resolution of the senate. Washington, February 16, 1829. To the senate of the United States: In compliance with a resolution of the senate of the 5th instant, requesting detailed statements of the expenses incurred, and of those which may be necessary for the expedition proposed, for exploring the Pacific ocean and South seas; and also, of the several amounts transferred from the different heads of appropriation, for the support of the navy to this object; and the authority I thank you for the confidence you have reposed in me.by which such transfers have been made, I transmit hereYour letter gives me information upon a subject of the highest interest. I did not know the precise sentiments of the duke of Wellington upon the present state of the Catholic question. Knowing it, I shall venture to offer my opinion upon the course that it behooves the Catholics to pursue. with a report from the secretary of the navy, with documents, from which the senate will perceive that no such transfer has been made, and which contain the other information desired by the resolution. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. Perfectly convinced that the final and cordial settleNavy department, 13th February, 1829. ment of this great question can alone give peace, har- To the president of the United States: mony, and prosperity to all classes of his majesty's sub- SIR: I have had the honor to receive from you, the rejects in this kingdom; I must acknowledge my disap-solution of the senate of the 5th February, 1829, calling pointment on learning that there is no prospect of its for a detailed statement of the expenses incurred in fitbeing effected during the present session of parliament.ting out and preparing an expedition for exploring the I however, derive some consolation from observing that his grace is not wholly averse to the measure; for if he can be induced to promote it, he of all men, will have the greatest facility in carrying it into effect. It I am correct in this opinion, it is obviously most important that the duke of Wellington should be propitiated, that no obstacle that can by possibility be avoided should be thrown in his way; that all personal and offensive insinuations should be suppressed; and that ample allowance should be made for the difficulties of his situation. Pacific ocean and South seas, together with the addition- 1. The expenses which have been incurred in fitting Difficult it certainly is; for he has to overcome the ve-out and preparing the expedition. ry strong prejudices and the interested motives of many persons of the highest influence, as well as to allay the real alarms of many of the most ignorant Protestants. I differ from the opinion of the duke, that an attempt should be made to "bury in oblivion" the question for a 2. The additional amounts which will cover the future expenses of the expedition. 3. The transfers from the different heads of appropriation for the support of the navy for this object, and the authority by which they have been made. Previous to the date of the resolution, viz: on the 24th It may be added, that the delay in preparing the exof January, 1829, a letter relating to this subject was re-pedition since her repairs were completed, has thus far ceived from the chairman of the naval committee of the occasioned some saving of expense, which would have senate, and on the 29th of January an answer was trans-been incurred if the seamen had been promptly enlisted, mitted to him. Copies of these letters marked A. and and the vessel sent on other service. It was the purpose B. are annexed, as a part of this report. They contain of the department to be cautious in enlisting those who a portion of the information called for, and are necessa- should be fitted by character and experience for such an ry to explain certain parts of it. enterprise, and not to create an unnecessary waste of money by procuring and paying them until their services should be required. 1. Of the expenses incurred. The paper C. here to annexed, is a report from the commissioners of the navy, of the moneys expended in the repairs of the Peacock. This report was called for, before the letter to the chairman was written, but was not received until the 7th instant. It was impracticable, before that day, for the commissioners to procure the accounts from New York, to enable them to answer the call. A part of them only are yet enlisted; but officers are now employed at the proper places, and the whole will probably be enlisted in a few days. In ordering the officers, care was taken to select such as were believed to be not only good seamen and navigators, but also distinguished for enterprise and science. The design was to make the expedition, (whatever might be the number of vessels sent), as far as practicable, redound to the honor of our navy. To accomplish this design, it was necessary that the officers should not only be able to navigate the vessel, but to superintend and execute the surveys and examinations of the islands, harpartake in all the scientific researches. It is believed that those selected will be competent to do this, and the expedition will be arranged with that view; so that, by the faithful and skiltul discharge of their duties, their reputation, individually and collectively will be promoted." By this paper C. the expenses of repairing the Peacock are stated at $64,729 55. Deducting the sum of $4,008, mentioned by the commissioners, on account of the guns and gun-carriages, the actual cost will be $60,721 55. It will also be perceived, that the only expenditure, in addition to the ordinary repairs of the ves-bors, &c. as directed by the resolution of the house, and sel, has been in making a temporary spar deck. This was designed to add much comfort to the accommodations, and his cost $1,943 24, which is the only sum that can be justly charged to the expedition. The resolution of the house of representatives was passed on the 21st May last, and directed one of our small public vessels "to be sent to the Pacific ocean and South seas, &c." The Peacock was selected for this object, because it came within the description of the resolution, and was better fitted for that service than any other vessel in the navy. The schooners, from their size and construction, were not adapted to it. The surveys could not have been performed in them. The comfort of those sent would have been sacrificed, and their lives hazarded, if one of them had been selected. The new sloops of war are too large, and in other respects unfit, and they would have been more expensive. These officers have been ordered to hold themselves in readiness for this service, but no additional expense has thereby been created. They receive now precisely what they received before the orders were given, and what they would have continued to receive if these orders had not been given, The preceding remarks, respecting the Peacock and her officers and seamen, with the explanations contained in the letter to the chairman, (B) exhibit the action of the department, under the resolution of the house, and explain statements D and E annexed to this report. They are deemed necessary, to show that there is no omission At the time of the passage of this resolution of the in those statements, of the expenses incurred on these house, and also, of the passage of the appropriation law points.-If the Peacock, from any cause, should not go for the support of the navy for the year 1828, the Pea-on the expedition, she will be ready, under the requirecock lay in ordinary at New York, and was embraced in ments of law, and the ordinary arrangements of the serthe estimates for the year, both for repairs and as a ves-vice, to sail on any other cruise, without extra expendisel in commission for cruizing. In the annual report from this department, dated 1st December, 1827, she was described in the following words: "Will require new sails and considerable repairs in her hull, and standing and running rigging" (Report of commissioners, A. page 254.) In the estimate, and in the appropriation bill, there was an item including the repairs, in the folTowing words: "For repairs of vessels in ordinary, and for wear and tear of vessels in commission, one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars." The repairs of this vessel were thus authorised by congress, and would have been made without reference to the expedition. When she was selected for it, they were ordered to be completed with all practicable despateli, that she might be ready at the proper time to enter on the enterprise. The expense of them has been, or will be charged to, and paid out of the sum of $175,000 before mentioned, as provided by congress for these and other repairs. tures. The second item in paper D, is the cost of employing an agent to obtain information of the present state of knowledge, respecting the objects to be examined. This information can only be procured from those concerned in the navigation of the Pacific and South seas; (for none others possessed it); and principally from conversations, log-books, and journals. The agent was engaged for several weeks, and allowing to him for his time, expenses, and labor, what is usually paid to persons examining land offices, and performing other duties of a like kind, which are temporary in their nature he was entitled to receive $1,116 00. The service performed by him required not less intelligence, zeal, and industry, than those usually entrusted to agents who received per diem compensations. His duties were zealously and skilfully discharged; his expenses in procuring assistance, obtaining copies of journals, condensing and arranging the results of his inquiries, were large; and his report emAnnexed to the same report of 1st December, 1827, bodies a mass of information valuable to the department there was an estimate for the vessels in commission, du- and indispensable to the prompt and safe conduct of the ring the year 1828. In this estimate, eight sloops of war expedition. The commanding officer, though highly inof the first class, and twee sloops of war of the second telligent and well informed, could not have acquired this class, are provided for. (Report of commissioners, B. knowledge in any mode, except that which was pursued; page 236.) The Peacock was one of the three. It was and he could not have conducted the expedition as prointended, as soon as her repairs would permit, to send fitably without as with it. A copy of a part of the reher on a cruising station. No station was designated at port will be given to him before he sails; and by appristhat time, nor any special service pointed out for her. ing him of the probable, but not well ascertained, situaWithout the resolution of the house, the department was tion of about two hundred islands and reefs, which he authorised, under this law, to prepare and put her in could learn neither from books nor charts, will assist commission, and would have so done by ordering to her in guiding his movements, and apprise him of many a full complement of officers, enlisting for her a full dangers for which he will be prepared. It will enable crew, and preparing provisons, stores, armament, &c. him to be more expeditious in his operations, and to acThe only effect of the resolution, so far as the Peacock is complish much more within a given period. It is believconcerned, was to change her destination from one cruise ed that the employment of this agent was both economito another, and that without any additional expense on cal and prudent, and will shorten the labors of the exthese points. For this change, the resolution was regard-pedition, and be one means of guarding it against the haed as very ample authority. zards which it has to encounter. If it shall be the will of congress that the expedition congress should reverse the decision of the house of re shall not sail, the information in this report ought to be presentatives, and prohibit the department from despatchpubished for the benefit of our seafaring people, who maying the Peacock on this particular service. On the preceding statement and explanations, I have to report to you, that no expense has been incurred, which was not fully authorized by law. 2. Of the additional amounts which will be necessary to cover all the expenses of the expedition." Paper E, hereto annexed is an estimate of the expense of fitting out the Peacock alone. Paper G, an estimate of the expense of fitting out two vessels and a store-ship. thereby be aided in avoiding perils, in which so great an amount of property and human life has perished. The compensation to the agent has been taken from the item of appropriation of $5,000, in the law of 19th March, 1828, for contingent expenses for objects not therein before enumerated." The preceding item in that bill enumerates the ordinary contingent and uncertain expenses which ocem m the naval service. This item has always been understood as intended to provide for those contingencies which do not ordinarily occur, and These estimates are made in this form, because the exfor those services which it n the duty of the department pense of preparing and sending out the expedition, has, to direct, and which are not embraced in the enumeration. heretofore, been the subject of inquiry; and that on which Under the resolution of the house, this agency was be- the opinion of the department was expressed to the comlieved to be peculiarly of this character, and no hesitation mittee of the house of representatives, who originally was felt in directing payment for it out of that fund. reported the bill, for which object the department has A copy of the letter of appointment to the agent, Mr.supposed the appropriation was designed, and for it the Reynolds, is added, paper F. His account has been set-sum in the bill is still believed to be sufficient, even in the tled since the letter to the chairman, B, was written, and enlarged form which is recommended in the letter to the amounts to something more than was then estimated. chairman. (B.) The next item in paper D, is an estimate of the cost of It is not easy to make an estimate which may be de the mathematical and astronomical instruments. It is a pended on, of the final cost of the expedition. One is mere estimate, which, in many cases, is a mere guess, attempted, however, in papers HIK. They shew the and may be below the actual amount. A statement has annual expense of supporting each of the vessels, with been called for, from the officer entrusted with the pur-the annual cost of the persons, other than naval officers, chase and preparation of them, and when it is received, who may be employed. On the latter point, the estimate a list in detail of the instruments and their prices, shall be is believed to be large, as it is also for contingencies. laid before you. It is not supposed necessary to delay It will be perceived, that the annual expense of sup this report for that purpose porting the Peacock is not included in papers E and G. The appropriation law, before referred to, provided for It is omitted, because that vessel has been, for several the purchase of "books, maps, charts, nautical and mathe-years, embraced in the estimates and appropriations, as matical instruments, chronometers, models and draw-one of the vessels in commission, and employed at sea. ings," and appropriated, for these and other enumeratedIt is also in those of the present year; and unless a change objects, two hundred and forty thousand dollars, for the of legislative opinion takes place, will be in those of subyear 1828. Purchases for all the vessels in commission, sequent years. But, in order that this expense may be and for the shore stations, are almost daily made of such added, if it be deemed proper to do so, it is furnished in articles, under the authority of this law. In giving the paper I. orders for the purchase of these instruments, the depart-pedition for two years, if it be regulated by the resolu The statements in paper K, exhibit the cost of the exment regarded the Peacock as a vessel in commission, by tion of the house; and also, what it will cost in the form express sanction of law The resolution of the house, as an instruction where it should be employed; that the recommended in the letter to the chairman, (B.) It is appropriation for instruments, as authority to provide such not perceived how, under correct and economical maas might be required by the service which it had to per-every necessary and proper outfit, both material and pernagement and control, the Peacock for two years, with Lists of books, charts and maps, have also been pre-instruments, &c. &c. can cost more than $108,567 21sonal, and with full allowance for wear and tear, books, pared, and directions given to find and be ready to pur-nor how the three vessels, under like management, and chase them, when they should be called for. They are not numerous nor very costly. Most of those which will with equal preparation, can exceed $204,344 71. Whebe necessary on the expedition, have before been pur-sential benefits to our commercial and other interests, ther the Peacock, on this service, can render more eschased and placed at the navy yards, for the use of our vessels, in commission. It is believed that no expense has yet been incurred on this point. form. by the resolution, which you have transmitted. It may than if employed elsewhere, is a question not embraced the department be correct, the present aspect of our rebe proper, however, to remark, that if the view taken at lations and interests, in all places where our vessels in commission are eruising, seems to justify the confident belief that he cannot be more useful any where than she would be on this expedition. There has not been a time It may be proper to add, that the instruments, charts, books and maps, which have been, or will be purchased, are not useful for this expedition alone; but are valuable and necessary for the service generally. They would probably, within a short time, have been purchased for, and used in the various operations of the navy, if the expedition had not been contemplated. The public treasurynary duties, and devoted to an enterprise, the first sugwill uffer no loss by them. at which she could be better withdrawn from her ordi gestion of which is, I believe, to be found in the recomThe letter to the chairman (B) states that orders have mendation in your message to congress, on the 6th De been given to prepare certain provisions, suited to the cember, 1825, and which has been an object of constant nature of the service. It is not known that any expense and anxious solicitude, both with the executive and a has yet been incurred for them, nor can I furnish a detail-large part of the nation, since that period. ed statement of what they will cost. In paper E there is an estimate for them, among the items of expense yet to be incurred. They are regarded as a part of the provisions of the vessel on her cruise, and the authority for providing them is found in the fact before stated, that the Peacock is a vessel in commission, which the house of representatives desired should be sent on a special service; and that they form a necessary part of the provisions of the officers and men on that service For some of the reasons which influenced the department to recommend an enlargement of the expedition, the expense of which is exhibited in statement three, of paper K, I respectfully refer to the annual report of 24th November, 1828, and to the letter to the chairman, (B.) Two vessels seem indispensable, to avoid delay and ensure safety and success. The scientific persons mentioned, are alike indispensable, in the profitable results desired, in the branches of science to which their atNo other expenditure is recollected. Paper D is, there- tention will be directed. It is no reproach to our naval fore, presented to you, as a statement, in detail, of all the officers, to affirm, that they cannot, in those branches, expense which has been incurred; and although much make the investigations and furnish the lights, which Jabor has been performed at the department, and many would do most credit to the enterprise. They are not arrangements made, preparatory to the sailing of the ex-profound astronomers, nor are they skilful naturalists.pedition, yet no act has been done, nor has any contract Their employments forbid that they should be either. Leen entered into, which can create an addition to it, if In their own profession, and in what relates essentially to 10 the discharge of its duties, they neither now have, nor templated object into effect? Under this head, the comAnd the expedi-mittee desire to have a statement of the several amou■ts have they ever had, their superiors. tion may be so arranged, as to give to those of them who expended on the different objects connected with theconpartake in it, all the duties which they can desire, and all templated expedition, such as the building and peparathat have ever been satisfactorily performed by men of tion of the ship to be employed; the number, punk, and their profession; and at the same time, to dispose of the compensation of the officers and agents who have been, scientific corps in such manner, that their duties may be or are intended to be, employed in the expedition, with discharged, and neither deprive the other of their appro- the names of such as may not belong to the navy, and the In deciding on the expediency of the contemplated expriate credit. The department is aware of the jealousies duty which they are severally expected to perform. on this subject, which have existed in expeditions fitted out by other governments, and of the unpleasant conse- pedition, it seems to the committee necessary that they quences, consequences against which this ought to be should be informed of its precise objects. The commitguarded. The obvious and inevitable effect of assigning tee, therefore request the views of the department relato naval officers duties which they are not qualified to tive to this subject. It is desirable to know whether it is perform, has been, and must forever continue to be, a in the contemplation of the navy department merely to failure in useful results. The uniform history of expe- send out surveyors, or other scientific persons, to examditions in all nations, establishes this fact; while too ine any known "coasts, islands, harbors, shoals, and much has been sought for them, all has been lost to them. reefs. in order to ascertain their true situation and deThere is, however, no real difficulty on this subject, nor scription," or whether the "Pacific ocean and South seas" will any be found in this expedition. The commanding are to be "explored" with a view to the discovery of unofficer will direct and control the movements of all un- known regions. And in either case, the committee would der his command and in his vessel; to him will the re- be glad to learn the views of the department as to the parHe stance, to be directed; and whether the contemplated obports of their labors be made; and through him will the ticular object to which the expedition is, in the first inresults be known to the government and nation. will have a responsibility sufficiently weighty, and claims jects will probably be attained in the course of a single on his intelligence which will prevent his attention to the expedito. Any mformation it may be in the power of more minute inquiries on each subject; but which, if ably the department to offer upon these points, or on any other I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, ROBERT Y. HAYNE, chairman. answered, will ensure him all the honor and reputation, connected with the subject, will be acceptable. which can be acquired for his rank and station in such an enterprise. The inferior officers will be directed by him to superintend the surveys, and make the charts and drafts which are called for by the resolution of the house, and the citizens who are intended to aid in this labor will be subject to his and their direction. The commercial agent, astronomer and naturalist, will perform their appropriate duties, without interference with those of others, and the commanding officer will be too discreet to interfere injuriously with them. The division of labor will expedite and perfect whatever is done, while a compli-ploring expedition. cation of duties, in any one man, would create confusion, In the reports of the goand render failure inevitable. vernment, the labors of each, and the merits of each, will be manifested. Much, almost every thing, will depend on the temper of the persons employed, and on each remaining within his proper sphere; and it is hoped the selections will be such as to ensure concord, and especially that no arrangement of duties will be made, and no orders given, which will tend to lessen the just pride and the deserved honor of the navy, in which every patriot feels a deep and enduring interest. 3. Of the "amounts transferred from different heads There is but one authority under the laws which can This report, (with the annexed papers), which has SAMUEL L. SOUTHARD. [The following letters, marked A and B, were annexed, as a part of the above report.] A. Senate chamber, 22nd January, 1829. What expense has been incurred, under the direction Hon. Samuel L. Southard, secretary of the navy. B. Navy department, January 29th, 1829. Sir,-It is, probably, the simplest mode in which I can answer the inquiries of your letter of the 220 instant, to state, 1. The views of the department in relation to the ex 2. What has been done to prepare for the execution of it, 3. The expense which has been incurred. 4. The expense which will probably be incurred. 5. The time which will be required to accomplish the objects proposed. These five points, it is believed, will embrace answers to all your inquiries. 1. The "precise object" of the expedition is pointed out by the resolution of the house of representatives of 21st May, 1828, and is described in the following words: in those seas, and to ascertain their true situation and de"to examine the coasts, islands, harbors, shoals, and reefs ment as the object to which all its orders and preparations scription." This has always been regarded by the departwere to be directed, and to which they have been uniformly and steadily directed. The resolution of the house was regarded, both as the command which was to be obeyed, and the authority which would justify the expenditure of the money which might be found necessary to comply with its terms. In making the examinations required by the resolution, it will necessarily happen that "coasts, islands, "&c. both "known" and "unknown" will fall under observation, as circumstances would permit. and the orders would be to examine both, as thoroughly Our best charts and geographical works are extremely Very few islands, compared accurately known about it. defective as to that region of the globe. Very little is with the whole number which exist there, appear upon the charts, and the locations of the few which do appear, are, in most instances, incorrect. It is well understood, from the experience of those of our citizens who are engaged in whaling and other pursuits in the Pacific, that there are probably, in the southern portion of it, not less than two hundred islands, reefs, and shoals, which do not appear upon any chart. The situation of these is not known to many; and, perhaps, with strict accuracy as to latitude and longitude, to none. Hence all our vessels which sail there sail in constant and property is the consequence. To discover the true "situ imminent peril, and an immense destruction of lives and ation and description of all these, as well as those better known," is supposed to have been the object of the re solution. |