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page 3 ---Royal wedding---archduchess of Austria to marry Crown Prince of Portugal----the expedition begins January 28,1817

Archduchess Leopoldina of Austria

Some difficulties, however, presented themselves, which obligated His Majesty's government to defer the execution of this project. But His Majesty's wish for the fitting out of this expedition being again revived,the marriage of Her Imperial Highness Caroline Josepha Leopoldina, Archduchess of Austria, with His Royal Highness Don Pedro D'Alcantara, Crown Prince of Portugal, Algarve, and Brazil, presented the most favorable opportunity for gratifying it. At the time of the conclusion of this alliance, which was to unite Europe more closely with the new world, His Majesty the king of Bavaria was at Vienna in person; and the Imperial Court having resolved to send some scientific men to Brazil, in the company of the august bride, the king made arrangements for some members of his academy to accompany the Austrian expedition, with the same views towards the advancement of knowledge. The flattering choice fell on us; and we accordingly received on the 28th of January, 1817, directions to repair, without loss of time to Vienna, and thence to Triest; there to embark on board the frigates, which were already equipped for their voyage to Rio de Janeiro.

page 4 ----expedition orders and assignments----

The Royal Academy of Sciences, at the same time, received orders to furnish us with instructions, not only respecting the principal departments with which we were specially charged, but also, generally, relative to all that might fall within the sphere of our observations and researches, and to provide us with those instruments, the judicious employment of which, during the course of the expedition, might be productive of results particularly interesting to science. In consequence, the travellers were recommended to direct their chief attention towards enriching the two departments of zoology and botany, and at the same time keep in view the other branches of science, as far as time and circumstances should allow. Dr. Spix, the zoologist, engaged to make the whole animal kingdom the object of his observations and labors. With this view he had to observe the inhabitants, whether aborigines or colonists; to remark the different effects of climate upon them; their physical and intellectual powers, etc: the external and internal conformation of all the indigenous animals; their habits and instincts, and the geographical limits in which they are found; their migrations: and lastly, to investigate the fossil remains of animals, those most authentic records of the past, and most convincing proofs of the gradual development of the creation. Dr. Martius, as botanist, undertook to explore, in its whole extent, the vegetable kingdom of the tropics. Besides the study of the botanical families peculiar to the country, he was particularly to examine those forms which, by their affinity or identity with those of other countries, lead to conclusions respecting their original country, and their gradual diffusion over the surface of the globe.