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3. The transfers from the different heads of appropria- 236.) The Peacock was one of the three. It was intended, tion for the support of the navy for this object, and the au- as soon as her repairs would permit, to send her on a cruisthority by which they have been made. Previous to the date of the resolution, viz: on the 24th any special service pointed out for her. Without the reing station. No station was designated at that time, nor of January, 1829, a letter relating to this subject was re- solution of the House, the Department was authorized, unceived from the chairman of the Naval Committee of the der this law, to prepare and put her in commission, and Senate, and on the 29th of January, an answer was trans- would have so done by ordering her a full complement of mitted to him. Copies of these letters, marked A and B, officers, enlisting for her a full crew, and preparing proviare annexed, as a part of this report. They contain a por- sions, stores, armament, &c. tion of the information called for, and are necessary to ex-lution, so far as the Peacock is concerned, was to change The only effect of the resoplain certain parts of it. her destination from one cruise to another, and that with out any additional expense on these points. For this

1. Of the expenses incurred. Paper C, hereunto annexed, is a report from the Com-change, the resolution was regarded as very ample authomissioners of the Navy, of the money expended in the re-rity. pairs of the Peacock. This report was called for, before the letter to the chairman was written, but was not receiv-dition, since her repairs were completed, has thus far occaIt may be added, that the delay in preparing the expeed until the 7th instant. It was impracticable, before that sioned some saving of expense, which would have been inday, for the commissioners to procure the accounts from curred if the seamen had been promptly enlisted, and the New York to enable them to answer the call. By this paper C, the expenses of repairing the Peacock Department to be cautious in enlisting those who should vessel sent on other service. are stated at sixty-four thousand seven hundred and twen-be fitted by character and experience for such an enterIt was the purpose of the ty-nine dollars and fifty-five cents. Deducting the sum of prise, and not to create an unnecessary waste of money by four thousand and eight dollars, mentioned by the com- procuring and paying them until their services should be missioners, on account of the guns and gun carriages, the required. actual cost will be sixty thousand seven hundred and twenty-one dollars and fifty-five cents. A part of them only are yet enlisted; but officers are ed that the only expenditure, in addition to the ordinary probably be enlisted in a few days. It will also be perceiv-now employed at the proper places, and the whole will repairs of the vessel, has been in making a temporary spar deck. This was designed to add much comfort to the acas were believed to be good seamen and navigators, but alIn ordering the officers, care was taken to select such commodation, and has cost one thousand nine hundred and so distinguished for enterprise and science. The design forty-three dollars twenty-one cents, which is the only sum was to make the expedition, (whatever might be the numthat can be justly charged to the expedition. ber of vessels sent) as far as practicable, redound to the To accomplish this design it was ne

The resolution of the House of Representatives was pass-honor of our navy. ed on the 21st May last, and directed one of our small cessary that the officers should not only be able to navipublic vessels "to be sent to the Pacific Ocean and South gate the vessel, but to superintend and execute the surSeas," &c. The Peacock was selected for this object be-veys and examinations of the islands, harbors, &c. as dicause it came within the description of the resolution, and rected by the resolution of the House, and partake in all was better fitted for that service than any other vessel in the scientific researches. It is believed that those selectthe navy. The schooners, from their size and construc-ed will be competent to do this, and the expedition will tion, were not adapted to it. The surveys could not have be arranged with that view; so that, by the faithful and skilbeen performed in them. The comfort of those sent would ful discharge of their duties, their reputation, individually have been sacrificed, and their lives hazarded, if one of and collectively, will be promoted. them had been selected. The new sloops of war are too large, and in other respects unfit; and they would have been more expensive.

readiness for this service, but no additional expense has These officers have been ordered to hold themselves in they received before the orders were given, and what they thereby been created. They receive now, precisely what would have continued to receive if these orders had not been given.

At the time of the passage of this resolution of the House, and also of the passage of the appropriation law for the support of the navy for the year 1828, the Peacock lay in ordinary at New York, and was embraced in the estimates for the year, both for repairs, and as a vessel in commis- her officers and seamen, with the explanations contained The preceding remarks, respecting the Peacock and sion for cruising. In the annual report from this Depart-in the letter to the chairman, (B) exhibit the action of the ment, dated 1st December, 1827, she was described in the Department, under the resolution of the House, and exfollowing words: "Will require new sails and considera-plain statements D and E, annexed to this report. They ble repairs in her hull, and standing and running rigging." are deemed necessary, to show that there is no omission in (Report of Commissioners, A, page 254.) In the estimate, those statements, of the expense incurred on these points. and in the appropriation bill, there was an item including If the Peacock, from any cause, should not go on the exthe repairs, in the following words: "For repairs of ves-pedition, she will be ready, under the requirements of law, sels in ordinary, and for wear and tear of vessels in com-and the ordinary arrangements of the service, to sail on mission, four hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars." any other cruise, without extra expenditures. The second item in paper D is the cost of employing

The repairs of this vessel were thus authorized by Congress, and would have been made without reference to the an agent to obtain information of the present state of knowexpedition. When she was selected for it, they were or-ledge, respecting the objects to be examined. This indered to be completed with all practicable despatch, that formation could only be procured from those concerned in she might be ready at the proper time to enter on the en- the navigation of the Pacific and South Seas, (for none terprise. The expense of them has been, or will be charg-others possessed it) and principally from conversations, ed to, and paid out of, the sum of four hundred and seven- log books, and journals. The agent was engaged for sety-five thousand dollars before mentioned, as provided by veral weeks, and allowing to him, for his time, expenses, Congress for these and other repairs. Annexed to the same report of 1st December, 1827, offices, and performing other duties of a like kind, which and labor, what is usually paid to persons examining land there was an estimate for the vessels in commission during are temporary in their nature, he was entitled to receive the year 1828. In this estimate, eight sloops of war of one thousand one hundred and sixteen dollars. The serthe first class, and three sloops of war of the second class, vice performed by him, required not less intelligence, zeal, are provided for. (Report of commissioners, B, page and industry, than those usually entrusted to agents, who

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receive per diem compensations. His duties were zeal vessels in commission. It is believed that no expense has ously and skilfully discharged; his expenses in procuring yet been incurred on this point. assistance, obtaining copies of journals, condensing and ar- It may be proper to add, that the instruments, charts, ranging the results of his inquiries, were large, and his books, and maps, which have been, or will be purchased, report embodies a mass of information, valuable to the are not useful for this expedition alone, but are valuable Department, and indispensable to the prompt and safe con- and necessary for the service generally. They would duct of the expedition. The commanding officer, though probably, within a short time, have been purchased for, highly intelligent and well informed, could not have ac- and used in, the various operations of the navy, if the exquired this knowledge in any mode except that which pedition had not been contemplated. The public treawas pursued; and he could not have conducted the expe- sury will suffer no loss by them. dition as profitably without as with it. A copy of a part The letter to the chairman (B) states that orders have of the report will be given to him before he sails; and by been given to prepare certain provisions suited to the naapprising him of the probable, but not well ascertained si- ture of the service. It is not known that any expense has tuation of about two hundred islands and reefs, which he yet been incurred for them, nor can I furnish a detailed could learn neither from books nor charts, will assist in statement of what they will cost. In paper E there is an guiding his movements, and apprise him of many dangers estimate for them among the items of expense yet to be infor which he will be prepared. It will enable him to be curred. They are regarded as a part of the provisions of more expeditious in his operations, and to accomplish much the vessel on her cruise, and the authority for providing more within a given period. It is believed that the employ- them is found in the fact before stated, that the Peacock ment of this agent was both economical and prudent, and is a vessel in commission, which the House of Represenwill shorten the labors of the expedition, and be one means tatives desired should be sent on a special service; and, of guarding it against the hazards which it has to encoun- that they form a necessary part of the provisions of the ter. If it shall be the will of Congress, that the expedition officers and men on that service. shall not sail, the information in this report ought to be published for the benefit of our sea-faring people, who may 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 five thousand dollars, in the law of 19th March, 1828, "for contingent expenses for objects not herein before enumerated." The preceding item in that bill, enumerates the ordinary contingent and uncertain expenses which occur in the naval service. This item has always been understood as intended to provide for those contingencies which do not ordinarily occur, and for those services which it is the duty of the Department to direct, and which are not embraced in the enumeration. - Under the resolution of the House, this agency was believed to be peculiarly of this character; and no hesitation was felt in directing payment for it out of that fund.

A copy of the letter of appointment to the agent, Mr. Reynolds, is added, paper F. His account has been settled since the letter to the chairman, (B.) was written, and amounts to something more than was then estimated.

No other expenditure is recollected. Paper D is, therefore, presented to you, as a statement, in detail, of all the expenses which has been incurred; and, although much labor has been performed at the Department, and many arrangements made preparatory to the sailing of the expedition, yet no act has been done, nor has any contract been entered into, which can create an addition to it, if Congress should reverse the decision of the House of Representatives, and prohibit the Department from despatching 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 B. hereto annexed, is an estimate of the expenses of fitting out the Peacock alone.

Paper G an estimate of the expense of fitting out two vessels and a store ship.

These estimates are made in the form, because the expense of preparing and sending out the expedition, has, heretofore, been the subject of inquiry; and that on which the opinion of the Department was expressed to the committee of the House of Representatives, who originally reported the bill, for which object the Department has supposed the appropriation was designed, and for it the sum, in the bill, is still believed to be sufficient, even in the enlarged form which is recommended in the letter to the chairman, (B.)

The next item in paper D is an estimate of the cost of the mathematical and astronomical instruments. It is a mere estimate, which, in many cases, is a mere guess, and may be below the actual amount. A statement has been called for, from the officer entrusted with the purchase and preparation of them, and when it is received, a list in detail of the instruments and their prices, shall be laid before you. It is not supposed necessary to detain this report for that purpose. It is not easy to make an estimate which may be dependThe appropriation law, before referred to, provided for ed on, of the final cost of the expedition. One is attemptthe purchase of "books, maps, charts, nautical and ma-ed, however, in papers II, I, K. They show the annual thematical instruments, chronometers, models, and draw- expense of supporting each of the vessels, with the anings," and appropriated, for these and other enumerated nual cost of the persons, other than naval officers, who objects, two hundred and forty thousand dollars for the may be employed. On the latter point, the estimate year 1828. Purchases for all the vessels in commission, and is believed to be large, as it is also for contingencies. for the shore stations, are almost daily made of such arti- It will be perceived that the annual expense of supcles, under the authority of this law. In giving the or- porting the Peacock is not included in papers E and G. ders for the purchase of these intruments, the Department It is omitted, because that vessel has been, for several regarded the Peacock as a vessel in commission, by ex-years, embraced in the estimates and appropriations, as press sanction of law; the resolution of the House, as one of the vessels in commission, and employed at sea. an instruction where it should be employed; and the appro- It is also in those of the present year; and unless a change priation for instruments, as authority to provide such as of legislative opinion takes place, will be in those of submight be required by the service which it had to perform. sequent years. But, in order that this expense may be Lists of books, charts, and maps, have also been pre-added, if it be deemed proper to do so, it is furnished in pared, and directions given to find and be ready to pur- paper I. chase them, when they should be called for. They are The statements in paper K., exhibit the cost of the exnot numerous, nor very costly. Most of those which will pedition for two years, if it be regulated by the resolution be necessary on the expedition have before been pur- of the House; and, also, what it will cost, in the form rechased and placed at the navy yards, for the use of our commended in the letter to the chairman, (B.) It is not

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perceived how, under correct and economical management charts and draughts which are called for by the resolution of and control, the Peacock, for two years, with every ne- the House, and the citizens who are intended to aid in this cessary and proper outfit, both material and personal, and labor will be subject to his and their direction. The with full allowance for wear and tear, books, instruments, commercial agent, astronomer, and naturalist, will perform &c. &c., can cost more than one hundred and eight thou- their appropriate duties, without interference with those sand five hundred and seven dollars and twenty-one cents; of others, and the commanding officer will be too disnor how the three vessels, under like management, and creet to interfere injuriously with them. The division of with equal preparation, can exceed two hundred and four labor will expedite and perfect whatever is done, while a thousand three hundred and forty-four dollars and se- complication of duties, in any one man, would create conventy-one cents. Whether the Peacock, on this service, fusion, and render failure inevitable. In the reports to the can rendered more essential benefits to our interests, than Government, the labors of each, and the merits of each, if employed elsewhere, is a question not embraced by the, will be manifested.

resolution which you have transmitted. It may be pro- Much, almost every thing, will depend on the temper per, however, to remark, that if the view taken at the of the persons employed, and on each remaining within Department be correct, the present aspect of our relations his proper sphere; and it is hoped the selections will be and interests, in all places where our vessels in commis- such as to ensure concord, and especially that no arrangesion are cruising, seems to justify the confident belief that ment of duties will be made, and no orders given, which she cannot be more useful any where than she would be will tend to lessen the just pride and the deserved honor on this expedition. There has not been a time at which of the navy, in which every patriot feels a deep and enshe could be better withdrawn from her ordinary duties, during interest. and devoted to an enterprise, the first suggestion of which is, I believe, to be found in the recommendation in your message to Congress, on the 6th December, 1825, and which has been an object of constant and anxious solicitude, both with the Executive and a large part of the nation, since that period.

3d. Of the "amounts transferred from different heads of appropriation, and the authority therefor."

There is but one authority under our laws, which can direct a transfer from one appropriation to another; and that is the President of the United States. The Secretary of the Navy has requested from him no transfer on this subject-none has been granted by him, and none has been made. All the expenditures have taken place in the manner explained in this report, under the express sanction of the law; and if error has been committed, it has resulted from a misconstruction of its meaning-a misconstruction which has prevailed in the Department for many years.

This report, (with the annexed papers,) which has been delayed since Monday last, by severe indisposition, is now respectfully submitted to your consideration. Very respectfully, &c.

SAMUEL L. SOUTHARD. To the PRESIDENT of the United States.

SENATE CHAMBER,

22d January, 1829.

SIR: By direction of the Naval Committee of the Senate, to whom was referred your report of the 27th November last, and also a bill from the House of Representatives, "to provide for an exploring expedition to the Pacific Ocean and South Seas," I have to ask for information on the following points, viz:

For some of the reasons which influenced the Department to recommend an enlargement of the expedition, the expense of which is exhibited in statement No. 3 of paper K, I respectfully refer to the annual report of 24th November, 1828, and to the letter of the chairman, (B.) Two vessels seem indispensable, to avoid delay and ensure safety and success. The scientific persons mentioned, are alike indispensable, if the profitable results are desired, in the branches of science to which their attention will be directed. It is no reproach to our naval of ficers to affirm, that they cannot, in those branches, make the investigations and furnish the lights, which would do most credit to the enterprise. They are not profound astronomers, nor are they skilful naturalists. Their employments forbid that they should be either. In their own profession, and in what relates essentially to the discharge. of its duties, they neither now have, nor have they ever had, their superiors. And the expedition may be so arranged, as to give to those of them who partake in it, all the duties which they can desire, and all that have ever been satisfactorily performed by men of their profession; and, at the same time, to dispose of the scientific corps in such manner, that their duties may be discharged, and neither deprive the other of their appropriate credit. The Department is aware of the jealousies on this subject What expense has been incurred, under the direction which have existed in expeditions fitted out by other go- of the Navy Department, in preparing the expedition, vernments, and of the unpleasant consequences--conse- and what additional amount will be necessary to carry the quences against which this ought to be guarded. The contemplated object into effect? Under this head, the obvious and inevitable effects of assigning to naval officers, Committee desire to have a statement of the several duties which they are not qualified to perform, has been, amounts expended on the different objects connected with and must forever continue to be, a failure in useful results. the contemplated, expedition, such as the building and The uniform history of expeditions in all nations, esta- preparation of the ship to be employed; the number, rank, blishes this fact; while too much has been sought for them, and compensation, of the officers and agents, who have all has been lost to them. There is, however, no real been, or are intended to be, employed in the expedition, difficulty on this subject, nor will any be found in this ex-with the names of such as may not belong to the navy, pedition. and the duty which they are severally expected to perform. The commanding officer will direct and control the In deciding on the expediency of the contemplated exmovements of all under his command and in his vessel; pedition, it seems to the Committee necessary that they to him will the reports of their labors be made; and should be informed of its precise objects. The Comthrough him will the results be known to the Government mittee, therefore, request the views of the Department reand nation. He will have a responsibility sufficiently lative to the subject. It is desirable to know, whether it weighty, and claims on his intelligence, which will prevent is in the contemplation of the Navy Department merely his attention to the more minute inquiries on each subject; to send out surveyors, or other scientific persons, to exbut which, if ably answered, will ensure him all of honor amine any known "coasts, islands, harbors, shoals, and and reputation which can be acquired for his rank and sta- reefs, in order to ascertain their true situation and detion, in such an enterprise. The inferior officers will be scription," or whether "the Pacific Ocean and South Seas" directed by him to superintend the surveys, and make the are to be "explored" with a view to the discovery of un

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known regions? And, in either case, the Committee In executing the resolution, if no further direction would be glad to learn the views of the Department as to should be given by Congress, and no appropriation made, the particular object to which the expedition is, in the it was the intention of the Department to send out one first instance, to be directed; and whether the contem-vessel only, (the Peacock) which is one of the smallest plated object will probably be attained in the course of a single expedition? Any information it may be in the power of the Department to afford on these points, or on any other connected with the subject, will be acceptable. I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, ROBERT Y. HAYNE, Chairman.

Hon. S. L. SOUTHARD,
Secretary of the Navy.

B.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, January 29, 1829. SIR: It is probably the simplest mode in which I can answer the inquiries in your letter of the 22d inst. to

state

1. The views of the Department in relation to the exploring expedition.

2. What has been done to prepare for the executionof 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.

sloops of war, with proper instructions to make the examinations called for. In this vessel would be sent skilful naval officers, with an astronomer, selected either from among the officers or among the citizens, with proper books and instruments, to fix, by accurate observation, the true situation of the islands, &c. to be examined. The naval officers would be directed to perform, in the best manner in their power, the surveys, draughts, &c. which might be required.

In the instructions, directions would be given to procure information of the present state of our commerce, the difficulties and dangers to which it is subjected, with the best means of protecting and enlarging it; and any other information which might fall in their way, and which would be profitable to the nation.

These would necessarily limit the duties to be performed in a single vessel, but in performing these there would be great delay and hazard, and the result would be much less satisfactory than is to be desired. To avoid these necessary and inevitable consequences of sending a single vessel, the Department extended its "views" farther, and desiring to make the expedition useful as well as safe to those engaged in it, an anxiety was felt that Congress should, by sufficient appropriations, permit the following plan to be adopted.

First. The precise object of the expedition is pointed out by the resolution of the House of Representatives of That a smaller, but well appointed, vessel should be 21st May, 1828, and is described in the following words: added to the Peacock, for the purposes of the examina"to examine the coasts, islands, harbors, and reefs, in tion, and a provision ship to carry provisions, &c. to them, those seas, and to ascertain their true situation and de- and enable them to prosecute their labors at all times, scription." This has always been regarded by the De- and without the interruption which would arise from partment as the object to which all its orders and pre- leaving their employment to seek them; that the following parations were to be directed, and to which they have persons should be added to the naval officers: 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 the coasts, islands, &c. both "known" and "unknown," will fall under observation, and the orders would be to examine both, as thoroughly as circumstances would permit.

1. A person to examine and report upon the present state of our commerce, and the means of its extension and improvement in that region.

2. An astronomer, whose observations should not only fix accurately the positions of all places examined, but who should bring home invaluable results of observations and experiments, in every thing connected with his branch of science, and present them in such form as would demand the assent of scientific men every where. To him the naval officers would be assistants, and furnish all ne

Our best charts and geographical works are extreme-cessary aid. ly defective as to that region of the globe. Very little is accurately known about it. Very few islands, compared 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.

3. A naturalist, with one or two assistants, and one or two good draughtsmen and surveyors. These five or six persons would be all that would be required, in addition to the officers of the vessels.

Should it be the will of Congress to pass an appropriaIt is well understood, from the experience of those of tion bill for this object, and the expedition should be fitted our citizens who are engaged in whaling and other pur- out in a proper manner, no doubt is entertained that great suits in the Pacific, that there are, probably, in the south-good would result to our commerce, and the expedition ern portion of it, not less than two hundred islands, reefs, be found to yield, in the end, a most profitable return to and shoals, which do not appear upon any chart. The the nation, for the expenditure made. While seeking situation of these is not known to many, and, perhaps, this result, it could not fail to be both gratifying and uses with strict accuracy, as to latitude and longitude, to none. ful to make an extensive addition to our knowledge of the Hence, all our vessels which sail there, sail in constant and globe we inhabit; and to other useful and valuable branches imminent peril, and an immense destruction of lives and property is the consequence. To discover the true situation and description of all these, as well as those better known, supposed to have been the object of the resolution.

of science, an addition to our stock of information, acquired almost without cost, and certainly without the slightest neglect of our commercial interests. The instructions would be so guarded as to secure attention, in the first place, to the objects of the resolution, and other matters be made subservient to them.

It is not necessary, in answer to an inquiry from the Naval Committee of the Senate, to detail the extent of our I do not know whether your inquiry, as to the intention commercial interests in the Pacific, the manner in which to attempt a "discovery of unknown regions," may be they are prosecuted, nor their dangers and losses. To designed to call for an expression of the views of the protect and promote them, by acquiring correct informa- Department in reference to sending the expedition as far tion, which would render their prosecution more safe, and as practicable towards the Pole. On that point it may be their extension more easy, would be the effect of execut- answered, that the examination both of the known and ing skilfully the purpose of the resolution. unknown islands, &c. will be, in part, in high southern

Report on the Polar Expedition.

latitudes, and the instructions would naturally and neces- even the decision of the House of Representatives be sarily be to find and describe all which exist there, and as reversed, and the Peacock itself not be sent, whatever far to the south as circumstances would permit them safely else has been done, will be useful in the regular operations and prudently to go. But they would be limited on this of the navy. point, as well as others, by the object of the resolution itself, and would be directed to avoid with care the difficulty which has so often occurred to exploring expeditions, of being closed up in ice, and remaining, from that cause, stationary for several weeks or months. Enough would be found for them to do in the milder latitudes during the winter months.

If it be required to fix the true situation and description of all the coasts, islands, &c. in the Pacific and South Sea, it cannot be accomplished within several years; cerThe expense of the mathematical books, instruments, tainly not within the period during which one expedition and charts, which will amount probably to about two ought to be absent. But a very large, and much the most thousand dollars; but the greater part of the purchases will be useful and necessary to the navy, in its ordinary operations, and will be charged to the contingent under the head of instruments.