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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC00507.01 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1836 |
| Title | Mahlon Dickerson to the President of the Geological Society of New Haven regarding preparations for the Wilkes expedition |
| Date | 31 August 1836 |
| Author | Dickerson, Mahlon (1770-1853) |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | 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. |
| Subjects | Frontiers and Exploration Geography and Natural History Science and Technology Art, Music, Theater, and Film Literature and Language Arts American Indian History Surveying |
| People | Dickerson, Mahlon (1770-1853) |
| Place written | Washington, D.C. |
| Theme | Arts & Literature; Native Americans; Science, Technology, Invention; Naval & Maritime |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Related documents | Address on the subject of a surveying and exploring expedition to the Pacific Ocean and South Seas. Delivered in the Hall of Representatives on the evening of April 3, 1836 |