Dickerson, Mahlon, 1770-1853 to President of the Geological Society of New Haven

GLC00507.01

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GLC#
GLC00507.01-View header record
Type
Letters
Date
August 31, 1836
Author/Creator
Dickerson, Mahlon, 1770-1853
Title
to President of the Geological Society of New Haven
Place Written
Washington, District of Columbia
Pagination
2 p. : Height: 26 cm, Width: 10 cm
Language
English
Primary time period
National Expansion and Reform, 1815-1860
Sub-Era
Age of Jackson

Indicates that preparations are being made for the Wilkes expedition, "an exploring & surveying Expedition for the Southern Ocean." Requests for advice on the "formation of a scientific Corps" and recommendations of suitable members. Needs men acquainted with many branches of science, which he lists; a philologist "to collect vocabularies of the different languages, and an artist to take the portraits of the natives." Also asks for suggestions about what "subjects of natural history" the corps should focus on in their research. The Wilkes expedition to Antarctica was the first attempt to organize the country behind an expedition to explore outside the continental United States. Written at the Navy Department.

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