Should a voyage of discovery be undertaken by our government, it is hoped that the northern coast of the continent of America will, at least, be examined. The undertaking would not only redound to the fame of our country, and to that of the individual entrusted with the enterprise, but must be productive of immense advantage to our commerce and national prosperity; and carry our "star spangled banner" among a people with whom the civilized world, as yet, have had no intercourse.
The prosecution of such an enterprise would be attended with no very considerable demands on the treasury; the employment of one or two of our ships of war, now in commission, for the object, would cause little additional expense. But, even admitting that a few thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, would be necessary; of what importance is it, when weighed against the magnitude of the object to be accomplished? Could our public vessels be better employed, than in surveying our north-west coast, and in discovery? Our naval officers would rejoice on seeing opened to their view a new path to fame, independent of the acquisition to their nautical experience. Many of our brave and skilful navigators would be proud of an appointment in such an enterprise; many naturalists and men of science, would cheerfully, at their own expense, if necessary, accompany such an expedition. And although we may not expect such an enterprise to be accomplished to the full extent of Captain Symmes's anticipations, and those who believe in his doctrines; yet, as Americans, we cannot but wish that the theory, which has been first advanced by a fellow-citizen, should be countenanced by our own government, and tested by the citizens of our own country.
CHAPTER IX.
A few brief suggestions, relative to the description, tonnage, and number of vessels, necessary to be equipped for a voyage of discovery to the interior regions of the earth; the number of men necessary to be employed on board, articles necessary for the outfit, and the probable expense attending the same; also, as to the route most proper to be pursued to accomplish the object of the expedition.
Captain Symmes, in his first circular, published at St. Louis, on the 10th day of April, 1818, asks an outfit of one hundred brave companions, well equipped, to set out from Siberia in autumn, with rein-deer and sleighs, to pass over the ice of the frozen sea. On being furnished with an outfit of this description, he engages to explore the concave regions, and discover a warm, or at least a temperate country, of fertile soil, well stocked with animals and vegetables, if not men, on reaching about sixty-nine miles beyond latitude eighty-two degrees. The route, intended to be pursued by Captain Symmes, appears to be that of the rein-deer, and the time of setting out, the same season of the year, in which (according to Professor Adams) the rein-deer migrate from that coast north. In this route it would be necessary to cross the verge, or region of most intense cold, with the greatest possible expedition, so as to reach an inner temperate climate, in the shortest time. The concave regions could be partially explored during the winter; and the party return in the spring, and at the same time of the rein-deer, to the mouth of the river Lena.
The Russians have been making considerable exertions to explore the northern regions. Baron Wrangle made an attempt of this kind, in the year 1821. And a second attempt was made in the year 1822, by travelling with sledges, drawn by dogs.[47] But, probably owing to the party not having faith in the winding meridians about the verge of the polar opening, or being unacquainted with their direction according to the theory of concentric spheres, they were bewildered, and kept travelling in the neighbourhood of the verge, the region of greatest cold, instead of proceeding in a direct course towards the pole, until they were finally obliged to return without accomplishing the object of the expedition.
At the present time (August, 1824) an expedition is fitting out in Russia at great expense, under the auspices of that distinguished patron of science, Count Romanzoff, for the purpose of making discoveries in the northern regions, with the intention of exploring over land, or on the ice, as far as it may be found practicable. The celebrated Admiral Kruzenstern, is to exercise a general superintendance over the expedition, while the immediate command is to be conferred on some distinguished Russian officer.