Source: The Friend. Honolulu: August, 1845.
THE EXPLORING EXPEDITION.
LEA & BLANCHARD,
PHILADELPHIA
Are preparing for publication, and will shortly issue, The Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, during the years, 1838, 1840, 184l, and 1842. By Charles Wilkes, U.S.N., Commander of the Expedition, sic. etc., in five magnificent large imperial octavo volume., with an atlas of large and extended maps. Price $25 to subscribers.
As the history of the only Expedition yet commissioned by our Government to explore foreign countries, this work must present features of unusual interest to every American. Much curiosity has been excited respecting this enterprise, from the length of time during which it was in preparation and from the various conflicting reports which were circulated during its protracted absence. The Publishers, while presenting a specimen of the mechanical execution of this great work, would call the attention of the public to tome of the important points of the voyage, the results of which cannot fail to prove advantageous to the commerce and character of this country.
The Squadron—six vessels sailed from Norfolk in August, 1838, and after making important observations on the voyage, via Madeira arrived at Rio, when their investigations were successfully prosecuted. Sailing thence for Cape Horn, they examined the commercial capabilities of Rio Negro. Arriving at Cape Horn, two of the vessels were despatched to investigate Palmer's Land, and other Antarctic Regions; whence, after encountering great danger, they returned safely, and nailed with the whole Squadron for Valparaiso and Callao. After making important observations on the West coast of South America, regarding , the commerce, political history. &c, of that portion of America, they sailed for Sydney, cruising among the numerous groups of Islands of the Pacific Archipelago, where the results were peculiarly important, as connected with the commerce and whale fishery of our country, as well as the aid they were able to bring to the various missionary establishments engaged in the introduction of Christianity and civilization. After remaining some time at Sydney, pursuing important investigations, they sailed for the Antarctic Regions, leaving behind them the corps of Naturalists to explore that singular country, the observation on which will be found of great interest.
The Squadron then proceeding South, made the brilliant discovery of the Antarctic Continent, on the 19th January, 1840, in 160d. east longitude, along which they coasted, in a westerly direction, to 95d. east, a distance of 1500 miles. On the return of the vessels, they touched at New Zealand, when the Naturalists were again taken on board. They next proceeded to the friendly Islands of Cook, the Feejee Group, and reached the Sandwich Islands late in the fall, which precluded them from going to the North West Coast that season. The Paumotu, Samoan, and King's Mills group of Islands were visited, and a particular examination made of the Island of Hawaii, its interesting craters and volcanic eruptions. In the spring, the Squadron proceeded to the Oregon Territory, now exciting to much interest in a political point or view; it was thoroughly examined in regard to its commercial and agricultural prospects lie. Here the Peacock was lost on the dangerous bar of the Columbia river. After the Oregon, Upper California was examined. The Expedition now returned to the Sandwich Islands, and thence sailed for Manilla and Singapore, touching at the Phillipine Islands, and passing through the Sooloo Sea, the channels of which being correctly ascertained, will greatly benefit the important navigation to China.
The Squadron then proceeding South, made the brilliant discovery of the Antarctic Continent, on the 19th January, 1840, in 160d. east longitude, along which they coasted, in a westerly direction, to 95d. east, a distance of 1500 miles. On the return of the vessels, they touched at New Zealand, when the Naturalists were again taken on board. They next proceeded to the friendly Islands of Cook, the Feejee Group, and reached the Sandwich Islands late in the fall, which precluded them from going to the North West Coast that season. The Paumotu, Samoan, and King's Mills group of Islands were visited, and a particular examination made of the Island of Hawaii, its interesting craters and volcanic eruptions. In the spring, the Squadron proceeded to the Oregon Territory, now exciting to much interest in a political point or view; it was thoroughly examined in regard to its commercial and agricultural prospects lie. Here the Peacock was lost on the dangerous bar of the Columbia river. After the Oregon, Upper California was examined. The Expedition now returned to the Sandwich Islands, and thence sailed for Manilla and Singapore, touching at the Phillipine Islands, and passing through the Sooloo Sea, the channels of which being correctly ascertained, will greatly benefit the important navigation to China.
Touching at the Cape of Good Hope and Rio, this important and successful Exploring Expedition finally, on the 10th of June, 1842, arrived at New York, after an absence of three years and ten months.
During the whole Voyage, every opportunity was taken to procure information, investigate unknown or little frequented parts of those seas now reached by our commerce, and thoroughly to institute scientific investigations of all kinds. To illustrate these, a vast number of drawings and maps have been executed; but the chief objects in view were of a practical nature Numerous regulations have been made with the rulers of various Islands, to secure the safety of our commerce, now daily increasing in those teas. In short, every thing has been done which lay in the power of officers or men, to make the Expedition redound to the interest and honor of the country; and in the volumes to be issued will be found its history and embodiment.-North Am. Review, Adv. Jan. 1845
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