Narrative of the United States' London, Exploring Expedition During the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841 and 1842, Condensed and Abridged.

London, Whittaker and Co., Ave Maria Lane 1845. 8vo. VI, 372 pages. Hardcover, Cloth (hinges broken. Charles WIlkes, U.S.N. Commander of the Expedition & Member of the American Philosophical Society. Condensed and Abridged from the original 5 volume set. By act of Congress, Aug. 26, 1842, the edition of the reports of the U. S. Exploring expedition was limited to 100 copies. Mr. Wilkes, however, secured copyright on his Narrative and under that privilege published an edition of 250 copies of the original version as well as other editions. "The United States Exploring Expedition (1838-1842), also known as the Wilkes Expedition, was shaped by both commercial and scientific concerns and a desire to expand American influence and interests in the Pacific Northwest. Maritime merchants, sealers, and whalers needed accurate charts of islands and navigational hazards in the Pacific Ocean. Secretary of the Navy James Paulding wanted “to extend the bounds of science, and promote the acquisition of knowledge."