OUR EXPLORING EXPEDITION.
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| Discovery OF New CoNTINENT.-We
are happy to be able to state that letters have
been received from the Exploring Expedition
of as late date as the 18th of March at which
time the two larger vessels of the Squadron
had returned to Sydney (South Wa4es( from
its cruise in the Southern Seas. 4 copy OF
the Sydney Herald of the 18th Of March has
reached our hands, from which we copy the
following highly interesting accoun: of the
results of this cruise Mat. Int.


From the Sydney Is. W. Hernd, March 49, 1s4o.
Discovery OF yuE ANTARCTIC; CONT
NENT.-Amongst the arrivals to be found In
our shpping-list of this day is that Of the
United States ship Vincennes, under the com
mand Of Charles Wilkes, Esq The VIZ
cenncs has been absent from this port almost
eighty days, most of which time has been
spent in southern explorations; and we are
happy TO have it in our power to announce,
on the highest authority that the researches
of the exploring squadron after a southern
continent hare been completely successful
The land was first seen Oh the morning of
the 18th of January in latitude "a degrees 20
minutes south, longitude 1874 degrees lo
minutes east.


The Peacock, (Which ship arrived in our
harbor on the 22d ult., lmnch disabled from
her contact with the ice,) we learn, obtained
soundings in high southern latitude, and es-
t,bshed beyond doubt the existence Of land
in that direction. But the Vincennes, more
fortunate in escaping injury, completed the
discovery, and ran down the coast from ! 54
degrees IS minutes to 81 degrees 45 minutes
east longitude, about 100 miles, within a
short distance Of the land, often SO near as to
get soundngs with q few fathoms Of line, du
ring which time she was constantly surround
ed by ice islands and. bergs, and experienced
many heavy gales of wind. exposing her con
stantly to shipwreck. We also understand
that she has brought several specimens Of rock
ard earth procured from the land; some OF
them weighing upwards of 100 pounds.


1t is questionable whether this discovery
can be of any essential benefit to commerce ;
but it cannot be otherwise than highly graft
tying to Captain Wilkes and the officers ell
gagged with him in this most Interesting exPe-
dition, to have brought to successful terml-
nation the high trust committed TO them by
their country: and it is hoped that SO noble a
commencement in the cause OF science and
discovery will induce the Government Of the
United states to follow up by other expedi-
tions that which is now on the point otterml-
nation.


We understand that the iTncennes will
sail on Sunday or Monday next for New Zea-
land, where the f'orpoise and Flying Fish
will rejoin her should they have been equally
fortunate with their two consorts III escaping
from the ice. The Peacock will follow as
soon as her repairs are completed: whence
thew will all proceed in turhcrance Of the
objects of the expedition.


We will only add, that we wish them God
speed