Sketch of the progress of geographical discovery during the past year

Abstract

Address by M. Jouannin (General Secretary of the Central Commission) to the General Assembly of the Geographic Society of Paris, 10th Dec. 1830, reproduced from the Edinburgh Journal of Natural and Geographical Science:

The Secretary notes that major political events (likely referring to the July Revolution in France) likely affected the Society's proceedings, resulting in a more limited field of reported progress compared to his predecessors. He reaffirms the Society's established laws and expresses hope that forthcoming instructions to global correspondents will spur progress toward their goal of compiling a "true and conscientious Geographical Dictionary."

The report then systematically reviews advancements across different regions:

• Honours and Tributes: The Society is praised for honouring a countryman who was the first to return from Timbuctoo (likely René Caillié, succeeding Major Laing) and for paying tribute to the late Major Laing. Tributes are also paid to Captain Dumont d'Urville for his recent voyage.

• Prizes: Several prizes are mentioned, including one withdrawn for Babylonia/Chaldea, one suspended for Palenque monuments, and a new prize offered for a memoir on the Origin of the Asiatic Negroes.

• Publications: The progress of the Society's Memoirs (Volumes 3, 4, and 5, including translations of Edrisi's Geography) is detailed.

• Africa: This region receives significant attention due to current interest. Mention is made of travellers like M. Douville (Portuguese Africa), collaboration with the African Society of London on the Jalhar el Abiadi/Bornu route, and the efforts of Mr Cooper Hope and Captain Owen in Southern Africa, as well as maps. The recent conquest of Algiers is also noted, with expectations for new geographical documents from the French government.

• America: Reports cover M. Bossiynes d'Orbiigny in Patagonia, research by Hardy and Thomson in Mexico/Guatemala, new drawings from M. Franck (Mexico), and travellers heading to various parts of the New World. The report also highlights the Danish exploration of East Greenland by Captain Graah.

• Eastern Asia (Ottoman Empire, Syria, Greece): Travel by French explorers, such as M. Michaud (accompanied by engineers), to historical sites is mentioned, alongside the work of the scientific commission in the Morea (Greece) under Colonel Bory de Saint-Vincent to map the new Greek state.

• Russia in Asia, China, Polynesia: Progress by Baron Alexander de Humboldt in the Ural and Eastern Siberia under the protection of Emperor Nicolas is noted, alongside earlier work by Ledebour, Meyer, and Bunge. Voyages of Captain Litke (Carolines) and Captain Kolff (Moluccas/New Guinea) are also briefly mentioned.

• France: Significant progress on the new map of France is highlighted, with a key finding establishing that the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea affect the same sea level, contrary to previous conjecture.

• Acknowledgements: The Secretary concludes by thanking numerous collaborators, foreign members (including Stanhope, Franklin, and Captain Sabine from London), and listing distinguished members who passed away during the year (Baron Fourrier and Count d'Hauterive).