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C. &*- it^ol'J' [•»^ c.\ POLAR COLONIZATION. THE PRELIMINARY ARCTIC EXPEDITION (ii- d877. A number of public spirited and generous citizens of tbe United States, baving faitb in tbe success of tbe Ct)lonization plan as a means of Arctic Exploration, and l)elieving in its ultimate approval by Congress, in substantial accordance with tbe bill reported favorably from tbe Committee on Naval Aftiiirs of the House of Re[»resentative8 at tbe last session of the Forty-fourth Congress, contributed from their private means a sufficient sum for the purchase and outfit of a small vessel to be sent to the Arctic seas for the purpose of collecting such supplies during the ensuing winter as might be useful for the main expedition of 1878, if that expedition should be authorized. It was at first intended -to limit the mission of this vessel to the collection of ma- terial only, but the opportunity for scientific investigation was so inviting, and the added cost incurred thereby so very trifling in comparison with the results to be attained, that space was made on board for two observers and their ne(!e8sary apparatus. One of these observers was selected upon the recommendation of Professor Ellas Loomis, of Yale College, and instructed to pay especial attention to meteoro- logical phenomona, while the other was selected as naturalist of tbe expedition by Professor Spencer F. Baird, of the LI- k-o/^ 2 SiiiitliHoniiiii riistitutioii, from whom lie reeuivod Hpeciul in- structions. Oiipliiiii (Jcoi'n'e E. 'r_vsoii, who rtcrvod on hoard ihu l*o- lari.s with (yuiitaiii Hall, was iMilrusttMJ with tho task of sukictii.jLj a Huitabk; vessel tor rhe i)rt Timinary expedition, wliicli, while larijfe enon^'h to siceomplish the (h-sii-ed objects, wouhl not exceed in cost the sum avaihihle tor its purchase and outfit. After carcd'ul examination ht^ selected the i'Vo/-- enrc, of New London, a schoonei" of tifty-six tons burden which was purchased upon his recommendation, ami the work of .streni^theiiing her for ice navigation ut once com- menced under his personal supervision. It was at first hoped to have the vessel ready for sailinaratU8 for a whaling voyage on a snudl scale, as it is proposed tb' t the vessel shall bring on her return voyage a cin-go of bono and oil, and thus make the enter})riso a self-sui)porting one, if possible. The [)ublic interest evim-ed in the [)roj»osed Arctic Colony has been very gratifying from the tirst, and the fitting out of the ^preliminary ex))edition brought ajtplications in great nund)ers, both i)ersonal and b^' letter, from }.)arties desirous of accompanying it as members of the crew, us passengers, or in any ciipacity that would enal)le tlieni to share in the pro- spective honors of the enterprise. The good nuiterial ottered was so large that it made the selection a ditticult task; but it is believed that no little Land, better fitted for the work, by strong frames, courage, and endurance, have ever gone forth to the Arctic Seas than those who sailed upon the Florence. The officers and crew are as follows: George E. Tyson, New London, master; William Sisson, New Lomlon, first mate; Dennison Burrows, New London, second unite; Eleazer Cone, New London, steward; Orray Tuft Sherman, Providence, meteorologist and photographer; 1 8 ., LikIwIi; Kuiiilciii, Madison, Wis., iiiitiiralist ; |{ichar(l M. York, Norwicli; William A. Alhiii, Sajji; llarhor; .lames W. Lee, Xew London, and .loel B. Bottles, of Granhy, stamen. Cluirles ITenrv Kuller, Coieliester; David K. Keese, York, ]*a., and John Mcl'arland, New Lomlon, iji'een hands. Of the ei'ew the youngest is nineteen years old, and the ohlewt otdy twenty-tour. The Florence \h ii <>;o()d sea-boat, stauneh, Btont, sea-worthy, and a fast sailer, and lias l)een thoroughly strenii'thened for hi!r encounters with the ice. The supply of provisions and other stores for ofHeersand crew is ample for twelve !nontlis, and can, if necessary, be made to last six months longer. Kind friends from all jjarts of the country have contributed from their stores, in addition to articles of food and clothing, a liberal supply of books and papers to wile away the long, weary hours of the sunless Arctic winter. A spare berth in the forecastle is tilled with story-books, histories, novels, and volumes of poetry: a large trunk is tilled to overLlowing with i)aper8, and still another is h)adid down with maga- zines; the whole making a library of considerable dimen- Bions. The heads of several Departments of the (xovern- ment have shown a kindly interest in the expedition, not merely by verbal api»roval, but by substantial aid. The different bureaus of the VVar Deiiartment, acting unck'r the authority of the Secretary of War, have been ])articulai'ly active in the matter. The Ordnance OtHce furnished ritles and muskets, and necessary ammunition. The Chief Sigiud Officer of the Army supplied a complete outfit of necessary instruments for making meteorological observations. The Surgeon General furnished a sujjply of medicines and the ne- cessary minor surgical instruments for use in case of acci- dents to members of the expedition, and the Quartermaster Gentiral furnished tents and camp equipage. The Secretary of the Xavy furnished a complete outfit of maps, charts, and Bailing directions. To these heads of Departments and Bu- reaus the grateful thatd i)y nativo wonu'n. Till! sfttondarv ol»ji'('t of the cxpiMlitinn is tlu' i!oU Icction of Hcic'iitili(! data and specinioiiH, as the lii'ld in a new one and posscHsini; unusual intort'st. wM\i,iN<(' t' oxcrclscd in liandliiii^ tlic (U'licatu instnimt-nts, to ijnard airuiiist tlicir hreaUaiji' or otiicr injury and the constMiiH-nt inlii'ni|iti(Hi of tlic ol)si'i-\-a- tions. The results o|' the |iliolo^i'a|ihie work will '»e vcpy iiiterestiiiu to the ijfoneral puhlic as wi II as to the seienlitie student, and vvcvy opportunity should be taken t() Hecure ptod nei^alives ol' places, localities and ohjeets, and also of the diU'erent operations eoniiecled with the jMirsuit and cap- ture of whales, houIh, fic. Mr. Kumlein, who ifoes as tlio representative of the Smithsonian Institution under the in- Htructions of j'roi'essor Spencer I*'. Ihiird, the distinsruished naturalist, for the purpose of col led in^- specimens of the tloru und faumi of the country, will he accorderly supported and reasotuihly successful, will |)ro\'e, it is hoped, of lastiui!,' advantaire, and nuike the expe- dition a notable one in scienliiie annals. TIIK KXI'HDITION oK 1M78. On reii(!bing Disco in Auirust, 1H7H, if the vessel carryini^ the members and outfit of the colony has arri\ed, you will transfer to such vessel the I^s(|uinuiuv, dous, sledii'cs and clo- thing collected for the )>urp(»se, ami take' the commandiui; otHcer's reeeipt for the .same. This beiuij!; done, you will re- turn as rapidly as possible to New London, whence you will report by tele!j:rapli to me at Washini^ton, I). ('., for further ordcu's. It the coloni/ation vessel has not arrivi'd you will wait for it until Aui^ust 15, when you will store the sledges and clothing to the eare of the (irovernor of Disco; leave the dogs also in his eare and return the natives to their home on Cumberland Island. This done you will return to New London and ri'port, as before, for instructions. Sliouhl any of your crew wish to accompany the coloniza- tion you will grant them permission to do so, with the eon- sent of the commander of that expedition, and provided you retain enough men to bring the Florence safely back to the United States. ti;mi'ki?ance. Great care must be exercised in the use of spirituous liijuors, both among tht! members of the expedition and in dealing ■with the natives. Useful as li(pior undoubtedly is in its plaee, and under suitable restrictions, it is easily caj)al)le of tilt' most iViti'litru' iiltiisc iiiitl i»r K'niliiii; tliis fX|ii'(|itinii to (liMiistt'i* iiH i; liiis (lone Dilicrs in iln' pust. I irii.Ht in vmir HtroiiLT ,ir<" '1 House and |>!iHt cxiicriciico to i^iiiird iii^iiiiirtt iliitiircr iVotn tliisi sniircc, and desire vou to know that I have only j)ei'Miitted a sniiplv in (|uantityor rKpiorrt to lorni |»art of tlicj Florcnn's ontlit in deference to voiir own wtronijlv ex- presHod wished. nr,Ai,iNii WITH THi'; Ar.ouniiNK.s. In (li'ulinu: with the natives, it is my wish, as donlitless it IH your iiKilination, thai yon shonld lie kind and liheral to the extent of yon r means and ahility, and in all jioinls of dif- ference, Hhonid any arise, to he jnsi hnt tirm. FINAL. Tiear constantlv in mind the iaet that this is not a whalinfr vovai!;e, hilt the first ste|> in a work thai will. I trust, when completed, he a noleworty one in iIk! annals of i^eoi«-raphieal and Hcientilic diseovery. This faet slionld also he carefnlly imjiressed njion the (!r(!W, in order that they may work intel- li,i;ently and with projier inhM'est. IJe careful ot' the health of vonr men, nsiiiL-- such measnri'H for tile purpose as your lon^ experience in Aix-Tn- waters HULji^esI as necessary. In conclusion, f commend youi'selfand crew to the care of an All-wise I'ower, with the prayer that your voyage may be prosperous and your return a safe and happy one. J I. \V. iloWUATK, L'liitcd suites Army. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE .MLTJCOJlOLUdlST. Washington, D. C, .hiJ;/ 10. 1877. Mr. O. T. Sherman, Mclenrdlogint. I'l rliniinurii Arclir Kr/nililinn of 1877. New Lonilnii, Conn. : Sir : The accompanying instructions were kindly jireiiared b}' Profes.sor Cleveland Abbe, and are furnished you as sug- gestions for your general guidance in making meteorological observations. These suggestions may possilily b(- nuxlitied of necessity by varying circumstances and conditions, but should not be departed from in any important degree: 8 1. It is considered very denirHblo to niaintuiii a system of regular hourly ohservations niirlit and day, for the record of which the a('C()iii|iaMyiiiii,' hhiuk hook will serve as the tirst vohmie, one horizontal line being devoted to each hour, and at least four pages devoted to each day's record, so that both regular and rnisceHaneous observations and notes may all appear togethei- in the same book. Even if houi'ly observations cannot be maintained regu- larly by yourself and those of the ship's (irew who caji as- sist you, still it will l)e best to lule the book as for liourly observations, aiu' attemi)t a bi-hourly or a tri-hourly series, filling in intermediate hours whenever possible. 2. As regards the time to be used in •-ecording observa- tions, it is especially I'njoined thiit you l. \vs. 13. Estimate Force of Wind (on the International scale of zero to tell.) 14. Keading of the Anemometer Dial. (If possible, two anemometers, one elevated much higher than the other, ehould be used. The simple, single reading of the dial run- ning up to 99'Jl> is all that need be recorded, as the hourly and daily velocities can be deduced subsec^uently.) 15. Kei)etition of column 1. 16. The Amount (in tenths,) kind Jind direction of the U|)i>er Clouds. (Pay close attention to the direction, and record it with reference to the ti'ue nuu'idian of the sixteen compasi-' points; give the direction whence the clouds nun'e, aiu], to secure accuracy, have a fixed point, on the earth by which to judge of their motions.) 17. Ditto for the lower clouds. (If three layers are seen, record the middle one in the miscellaneous notes.) 18. The color of the sky near the zenith, as comi)ared with the standard scales 11, R., or G., (blue, rose, gray.) 19. Ditto for the zenith distance 45°. 20. The Weather — that is to say, the most striking charac- teristics of the weather. 21. The fall of Kain, or heavy mists, during the preceding hour. 22. The I'all of snov/ and sleet unmelted. 23. The amount of melted snow and slei't. (These obser- vations can be made on shi[)-board to a considerable advant- age by placing two or four rain gauges symmetrically on the BtarboiU'd and larboard.) 24. The Kecord of the Tide Gauge. (This very import- ant observation should be carefully attended to whenever on shore or frozen up during the winter.) 25. Temperature of the ocean water near the surface. 26. Temperature of the ocean water at constant depth of about twenty feet. 27. The color of the ocean water as compared with stan- dard scales, G., B., Y., and 1{., (green, l»lue, yellow, and red.) 28. Direction and Intensity of the ocean swell or waves. 29. Repetition of column 1. 30. The Deviation of the magnetic needle. (For this ob- servation a delicate compass needle will serve if no a[)pro- m 10 priatc mai;'nofic fi])pnratns can be ohtained. Its fluctuations will probably bo (juite docidcd dnriiii; Auroras.) .31. The visibility of Auroras, Ilalos, Zcxliacal Li^cjbt. (The tbroo plictiomeiia should bo carotully looked for on all oc- casions, and if visiblo, the appro) u'iato word or the corres- ponding synd)olsairreed upon at the Vienna (-ongress should be ententd in this column, rcscrviiiir a fuller description for the niiseelliuu'ous notes.) Aurora, Lunar Hulo, tSolar Halo, Lunar Corona, Solar Corona. 32. Kegnault's ui)i>aratus for observing the Dew Point should be employed systematically, if any way possible to do so. 33. Among the Rpecially interesting observations is that of the actual height of clouds and direction of air curients, as revealed by sending up small balloons, which are fur- nished you for this purpose. Attac^h to each balloon a light tliread, one hundred feet long, in such a nuuiner that it will ])ull away at the slightest tension. Hold the other end of the thread fast in the Angers, and count seconds from the watch while the balloon is ascending. lie- cord in column 33 the number of seconds required to ascend 100 feet, which is the vertical velocity of the balloon. 34. The horizontal direction taken by the balloon. 35. Its horizontal velocity, as estimated by comparison with the surrounding country. 86. The time elai)sing before it disappears in the clouds. 37. The Density of the sea water. Cobinms 1 to 14 occu}ty page 1 ; columns 15 to 28 occupy page 2; columns 29 to 37 occupy portion of page 3. The rest of page 3 and the whole of page 4 of each day's record is to be occupied by short miscellaneous notes, among which are to be included the latitude and longitude of the vessel when at sea. If you visit any port at which meteorological records are kept, you should not fail to compare your in- struments with those used at such places, as a check upon the agreement of the records. Among the numerous miscellaneous observations that are desirable from northern latitudes are many that will be found referred to in tlie Manual and Instructions for the Arctic Expedition of 1875, to which you are hereby re- ferred, as also to the reports of the Permanent Committee of the First Interiuitional Meteorological Congress at Vienna: ,1 11 (IVige 1.) 1877, Aiif/ii.il 7, Moii'imj, iii ,vii, ,jt. 1 1— .— « ^ nAKOMF.TKK. 1 P»yCH(IMF.TKR, Wind _s i i 1 ex ;. 1 -l a ' S ^ i-S^ ti; "% W *gIIINOTi)N TiMK. u i i- .■!i1| 1 i S £ tt — 1 S j 2 " Z 1 - > 3 1 X U ■^ 1 B e < 5 -i a ^ ■5 I u> Hdiir.H. j • 121i.afirii. A. M 111. ••(.".1,1. V. M.... o 3 4 6 (i t S it 10 11 T.l 1o 14 21i. :!fiiii. A. M ( Page --'.I 1R77. Au'iii"! 7, Miinilaii, nt sm. ,\-c. J Upper Cloi'ds. Lowr.R (^i.oi.ns. coioii of Sky I! MNK.M.I.. OCK.AN. , f'now and i 'IVm- ' .• « W\STINfi|ll.V Time. ■5 ■« Slc't. ui pcratiin-. i < J e c f k.' s 1 » ■e . i. '■: r 5 •6 « il •r r c 2-' r: E Z'i t 1 * < '•2 « *f; N '-^ ■in - - s H rZ '• £. ' Z * 12:35 A. M.. 1:35 A, M.... 16 1 7 i 18 19 21 oo 23 24 'ii) ■ 26 ! 27 1 2S (I'nge 3.) 1H77, Amjiifl 7, MoDdiiji, nt .-c./, ,Vc. i it ; S c Washinoton Time. i e i I S :(. ' o - i ~"" o ( X 30 j ;!1 Sm\LL RALLOnNS. 5 i « 32 , .".3 « lioiizontal. ^ « O' (^ c o >. ii >. ^ e " X = c > — 34 ;iri 36 37 (I'll pre 4 I 1877, Ati/jwl 7, Monldij, at s.-rt iniHCpllaueciiig iioteo. \-2 In iio!)st,'rvin;;' the direction of the wind, and also the direction of the hiuhest visible clouds, and their direction ou^'ht to be recorded with great jtrecision. Kspecial attention should be i!;iven to the optical [)henomena of the atmos|>here, su(;h, for instiuice, as halves-parhelia, &c. The Polar rcijfions exhibit phenomena of this class more remarkable than those we often see in the mi- Idle latitudes, or, perhai)s have ever seen, and these ob- servations, to be of much value, should furnish [trecise mea- surements of the dimensions and portions of wiiatever is observed, particularly of those features which are most un- usual."' These special sugii'estions, with such general ones as you will find in the Arctic Manual, in Prof. Loomis' Work on Meteorology, in Buchan's llandy-lxxdv, and the other works on Meteorology which have been furnished to you will be sutHt'ient to indicate the extent of the work to be done, and its most valuable features. It is especially impressed upon you to keep full and detaiU'd notes of all items of daily, ob- servation and occurrence, in orderthat nothing of value may be lost. Tlie memory must not be t.usted for details, but everything intenderol)ul)ly not Hiul, uiiloss it insiy be a tvoii, wliicli of coiii'sc should Ix; Ht'ciifLMl. Tlu' tisiu's should hi! looked after very piirtieularly, and especially the ditlerent speeies of trout, salmon, and white lisli, which should be secured, if possible, of different ages and in the different seasons, to show the variations of the Rpawninu" condition. Any larL:;e salmon or trout, say over a pound or two in weight, would be better preserved b\' being skinned and the skins put in alcohol, although a sketi'h of the origiiud ought t(> be made. Any other species of Hsli you had better pro- cure as they may i»resent themselveH. Of course it will be important to obtain a full representa- tion of the insects of the country, 8U(,'li as butterflies, bee- tles, etc. Whatever species of marine invertebrates are procurable should be gatliered in; for example, star-fishes, shells, crus- taceans, and the like. If you should succeed in securing a complete series of all the varieties of animal Hie, if possible in several sets, the great object of your mission will have been accomplished. You should endeavor to secure a variety; but a complete collection will be of much interest. Any choice mineral si)ecimens ought to be obtained, especially of the crystalline varieties. Get 8am|>les of all the rocks constituting the strata. These should be sketched, with their overlying po- sition indicated and verified by s[»ecimens. Look very carefully for rocks containing fossil renniins, either of plants or of animals. Some very interesting spe- cimens of saurians have been brought from diiierent i)ortions of Arctic America, while the fossil plants are of very great importance. Make a thorough study of the ethnology of the country, securing as numy crania of Esquimaux as j)racticable; pro- cure skeletons also if they can be got. Illustrations of the handiwork of the natives in objects of stone, bone, wood, etc., ought to be carefully gathered, especially any that are of great antiquity, and such as are superseded by modern articles. Spencer F. Baird. Salem, Mass. IT) u Tlio tollowiiic^ extracit from tin; liondon SUoidurd of Au- gUHt the LStli, is of iiiterertt, as sliowiiiij the appearance of thiii<:fH on board the F/orcticc when about to sail: "All oeeasioiial eoi'respotKb'iit writes I'roin Now ^'ork : Oji the inorninn' of Tuesday, the hist ies, a tine river, wider than the English one after which it is mimed. New London is of consider- al)le importance as a seaport, and you meet there a nund)er of persons Y/ho have been actively emi)loyed in wlialing and sealing. Lnptiring my w^ay to Haven's Dock, where the Floi'ciu-e lay, I soon found her alongside the jetty, some caulkers closing the hold, and the men carrying on board their beds and clothes bags. On the upper deck were some casks of water and barrels of biscuits, firndy lashed; also plaidvs and spare spars. The Florence is ([uite a small ves- sel, a schooner of 56 28-100 tons. She has storage capacity for 800 barrels of oil. She was built at Wells, Maine, in 1851, but is still a staunch craft and good sea boat. J're- paratory to her last cruise she was thoroughly overhauled and renovated, and niade as good as new. Iler length is 64 feet, beam 19 feet, and slVe has a deiith of 7 feet. She carri(-8 no foretopmast, and is an aft schooner with a square sailyard athwart. Step[)ing across a [»lank, I gained the deck, and going aft, discovered the olHcers' cabin. It is a small space, measuring about eight feet in all three direc- tions, and having a small table in the centre; overhead were stowed stowed half a dozen Springtield rifles and a double barrelled gun. On each side of the cabin are two bunks, one above the other. Those on the jiort side are approjirialed tar comfortal)le enough. The walls of the; othcers' cabin are of 4 inch plank. The stem has been replanked with 10-inch timbers, covered with 2-inch ])lanks, giving her bow. a total thickness of six- teen inches, sutHcient to resist the blows from floating nmsses of ice which she may expect to encounter in the N»jrth. She carries a sufficient stock of provisions, pork, canned meats, biscuits, and sjjirits; also 15 tons of (!oal. She is well provided with ammunition, having 6,000 ball cartridges, 1,000 poutids of Ijuck shot, two barrels of powder, and 200 pounds of ritie powder. She also takes plenty of whale line, as she hopes to secure some whale's in Baffin's Bay. The i''fort'/(fT carries three boats, one hanging astern from davits, and one on each rpiarter. The Stars and Stripes lloated bravely at the nuisthead; the morning was bright and tine, and a number of spectators came on hoard to see the vessel, or stood on the Jetty discussing her chances. Caj»tain Tysoji is accompanied by William Sisson, a portly native of Nvw London, as tirst mate. Dennison Burrows, of New Lon- don, is second mate, and Eleazer Cone, also of New Lon- don, is steward. Mr. Orray Taft Sherman, of Providence, a graduate of Yale, '77, and a tine, tall young man, under- takes the duties of meteorologist and photogra[)her, whilst Mr. Ludwig Kumlein, of the Smithsonian Institute, is nat- uralist. The crew consists of eight fine young fellows of from 19 to 24 j-ears of age, with one exception all natives of New London, and accustomed to a seafaring life. They seemed to me the right men for the work, and had only been en- gaged on the day before I visited the ship. Asking one of them what his pay would be, he replied, " A fiftieth." 17 WIkmi I Rni(l"Wliiil of?" lie r(>|.rKd,"r don't know iuid i-ari! h'ss," Tlioy rii'cnu'd iMjUiilly iiidiU'iTonl ns to wlicii [\\v.y return, l>nt liave tlm option ofcotninu; hack luixt ycsar. 1 aftci-wardM (•ri)ss('d tlic r'nci in tlir I'lTry to call oii Cap- tain IJiiddintffon, who was sailini;- master nndcr ('aptain Hall in tlu' Pii/iiris in 1871, and took the command al't*'r his di'ntli. Asking; to he directi'd to the Captain's residence, which is a mile or so from the town, I was olKered a seat in liis hnirify hy a i^'cntleman who was drivimr that way, with that kindness which is so pleasin,ij^ a charactcrisiic of rhe ed- ucated Aniorican. TIkm-c we i'ound t!ie worthy ("aptain amusini;' himsell', as many old sailors love to do, hy woikimj in his garden in the cool of the evening-. ()n my inli'othicini^ myselthe welcomed me into his comfortahlc <'(>ttai(c, where we conversed for st)me time on Arctic work and enterprise. IFe is deeply interested in the matter, thou^'h, alter 40 yeai's' work amongst the ice in the Northern and Southern seas, lie Justly thinks himself entitled to end his days in the jieace- ful serenity of a rural lite. On my risin*,^ to y-o he kindly accom])anied me half way to the town, and there Captain Tyson came on hoard the steamer, and wished i>'ood-hye to Captain Ilow^ate and mvself, as we were returning to New York. The Florcnor had l)ecn unahle to leave, hocauso of the ytate of the wind, hut it was intended that she should weigh anchor next morning. May this exj)edition advance a step further than its jjredecfessors int > the unknown regions, and add more facts to the sum of human knowledge." At ten minutes past ten, on the 3d of August, the tug took her in tow, and with a stifi' fresh hreeze tilling all her canvas, and keeping her how h)rhowwitlitliesteamer, she went flying down the harhor, dipping her colors in farewell to friends on shore, who watched her out of sight. On l)oard all was snug and sliip-sliape ; hoth ottieers and men were impatient of the delay which they had met with, and gladly saw the tug steaming out to take her in tow. A fact pleasant to he re- memhered was the ahsence of any appearance, much loss the reality, of any intoxication amongst the crew of the little vessel. The following communication from Captain Tyson was received on the 26th of August: !|!; is Si'llooNKR FloHKNCK, All(/llSt 0, 1M77. Captiiiii II. \V. IIowtiATK, Vniliil Stii/rn Anil'/, W'iiiliiiiij(, f\ vSiu: I have tlic Ikmimp to rcpori tin- profj^rusH of the I*re- lijniiiiirv I'oliir I*]\|n'ilition. Aiiipisi "J, liiiirpasi ten A. M , \vc It'll New London, with llic wind lo tilt' noi'tlieast. Tlie progri'His inudi' on the siio- (H'l'diiii;- diivrt und the tiicililios lor sailing will ht- nhovvn hy tlu' lollowinij citalion from tin- lou-: AiKjii.sl .'{. — Lat. 40 r)2, Ion. TO:]!!; wind N. K. ; courrte, nniyiK'tio, 8. K. ;i^/,/,<,s'/4.— Lilt. 40 40, Ion. (18 r)0; wind N. K. ; courHO, E. 8. Vu Auqust 5. — Lai. 41 52, Ion. 07 1J>; wind N. E. ; course E. by N". A,i,l„st n.— Lat 4.'{ i;^, Ion 05 1 ; wind N. ; vomnv K. hy N". Ai'«liisl 7.— Lat. 44 24, ion. (I^j ;;(> ; wind 8. VV.; conis'f E. by iN', half N. Aii(/ii,'<( H. — Oil" lU'aviT Island lij^lit ; hccahned in tog. AKiJusi !). — Lat. 45 l>; otrCaini) Cunso; calm. TllJtolJtai TIIK STRAITS OF liinJ.K IS1,K. It is intended to sail across the (Jnll" of Si. Lawreiu'e and tlirongh the Sti-aits of IJcllc Isle, tor thus W( .ope to save tinu' and he rid of mucli had wcatlicr. Although it is now a week since we left port we have missed nothing essential ironi the e(|iiijtineiit. The vessel meanwhile has behaved sph'iididly, and the crew have shown tlieniselves to he comijosed of good working material. In till' scienlilic department work hasalsoaih'anced, though more slowly, since it has been thought inex[)edient to })lace the instruments. A bird of a rare species has been obtained. All of us are hopeful of success. Very respect fully, GEOR(iE E. Tyson, (oft' Cape Cause.) On the 22d of November, a letter was received from the hardy navigators which, as given below, wmII jirol)al)ly be the last that the world will hear from the Florence for many months to come : NiuNTiLicK Harbor, Cumberland Gulf, September 29, 1877.' Captain II. W. IIowgate, United Stales Ann;/, Waithington, D. C.: Dear Sur: After a long and tedious passage of forty days we reached our present harbor on the 13th of September, w It tt rj nnd r iiviiil mysi'irof the lirnl wliiiN'i' rcliii'nitiL' to Scoilmitl 1<> coiiiimmiciiii' with yoii mihI (tiir liifiKls v' lionif. I ilo not tiiid iiiiiltcrs licru ii.H I liati lni|ic(l, ((wiiii;- to the |irfSi'Mcc ofn lui'u'r iiiunbiM' of wliaK'i'H and Init li'W imtivcs. 'Phis will iiiakf <;r('at ••oiii|iiiiii()ii lor tin' li'adc o|'s|ii niovo the vc'ssuj into winter (|iiartiTs at thi- hi-ad of the uiill, wIktu I hopO to ho tlKJl'O HlU'Ct'HHiul. 1(1 * * « III 4> 4i MKAi/ni OK THE ruvw. The health of the nieii <'ontiniu*s excellent and oiir siip- j)lies pro\e of i^'ood (luality and in ahimdaMec. All feel conthlent of maUinji" the expedition a profitahh' one, even if we should fail in eoUeetini;' ad the storen t;alled for in your insti'iietions. Hut we shall endeavor to aeeoin|ilisl) all you could w ish us to d<». WUHK OF TIIK MXI'KniTKtN. Mr. Sherman has <^ot fairly at work inakiiiii' i>liservationH, ami has obtained some o-ood photosi'raphs of whaling;' and native scenes. Mr. Kiindein is busy, and is addinif to his eolleetion eoiislaiitly, alth'iUi;-h a littU disappointed at tind- in^ the number of rare .^pecimeiiH tewer than he had I'Xpeetod to Hnd them. Lt is yet too early to say how we shall fare, but when the Krst ieeliiii; of homesiekness wearsotfand the men recover from the strain ojtlu' loni;' voyage, imitlers will look briyiiter to them, and they will work with renewed cnerLCy. With i';ood wishes to yon and to all our triends at homi!, 1 remain, with great respcet, Gkuikje K. Tyson. It is hoped that the return loi^and histoi-y of the T'Vo/Yv/rc'.s voyai^e will contribute to a more minute knowlediri' of Arc- tic phenomena, meteorolotry, Hora, mineralogy, and ethnol- ogy. As an advance-guard and pioneer of the main expedi- tion, its advantages and assistance will be valuable. U]»on the arrival of the main expedition at Disco, tlie point of meeting, its mend)ers will Hnd awaiting them, it is hoped, suitable clothing for Arctic wear, sledges, trained dogs, Escjui- I"H nmiix ^ii'kU'k, liimtiTH and lislitTtncn, utid iiImo hcvitmI Imrdy \V('ll-lniiii('rtlii« .Si'iiatf and of the 1 1(. use, rests tho decision of the s of the National (Jo\'ernine»it, Nor has any ini porta iK.H! been attached to the action of other governnients, who not only heretofore have iiniugurated such enterju'ises, but are eonti'niplating the inauguration of others on a mag- nificent scale. We have ascertained, to oui- satisfaction, tluit tlu' results yielded by prior explorations in the Polar Seas have incal- culably benefited t'.ie whole world; tliat the knowledge ac- quired by exjierinieiit and discovery in that region can be obtained in no other way and in no other section of the globe; that such knowledge is an important factor in the regulation of commerce, which is absolutely dependent, so far as decreasing the jjcrils of tlie deo[) and eidarging the boumlaries of tnivigation are concerned, upon the knowl- edge of [diysical laws. The Constitution gives Congress power, in section 8 of article 1 — To regulate commerce with foreign nations. And also in the same section and article — To m.ike nil laws wliich shall be necessary and proper for carrying into ex- ecution the foregoing powers. So the question as to the power of the Government is without the donniin of doubt or discussion. The Government has the constitutiontil power. Is it proper to exercise it? Whatever benefits are harvested favf)r no special interest or class. Tlie added knowledge obtained is the property of mankind. Give a subsidy, you .enrich a corporation l»y extorting from the body politic. Impose a duty for the purpose of protecting a ]5iirticular imhistry, you enrich a few while you impoverish the many. Kxphu'c the remote corners f)f the eartii, you awaken iiuniiry, add to the stock of infornnition, And contribute essentially to man's nnistery over the elements. Nojie among those who believe that money is well ex- 24 *i ponded to iiicnase kiiowlodii'o, to iniprovt' the clianocs of litV', to onliU'iJ'o the coitunerce of our iiiition, and who appre- eiiite the ncttahh- resnlts ah-eady achieved in this spt'cial tiehl of adventuiH' and study, will belittle oi- snt-er at the enter- prise j)i'()j»()sed in this hill. Soin(! deelare, hy way of depre- cation, that failure! and disaster have been the reward of the dauntless exi)l()rer. In a certain measure, true. lUit the ends aimed at are worthy of saerilice. Hail and Franklin died just as ^-loriously, just as serviceahly, just as heroically, as Warren at Buidcer Hill or Sedii^wiek at the Wilderness. Valuahlc eypei'ience and information liax'e heen ohtained within past years which are now at the service of any new explorer, and new plans based on such exiierienee and itdbr- mation have been examined by your honorable committee, which point out tlie causes that havi! hitherto contributed to disaster and i)artial failure. This plan is ktiown as " Polar Colonization," and has re- ceived hearty in(h)rsoment from such distini>'uislu'd experts,^ scientists, students, and exjilorers as I'rofessor .Joseph IleniT, president of the National Academy of Sciences; Professor Loomis, of Yale Colk\ire ; President Potter, of Union C'ollcii'e ; Admiral I'ortiM-; Kear-Admiral Davis, su- perintendent of the National Observatory; IFon. ('harles P. Daly, )»resi(lent of the American Geoiiraphical Society; Dr. Isaac I. Hayes, the explorer, and others, wiiile it is heartily approved, also by the honorable Secretary of the Navy; and your committee are inclined to commend it to the favor of Congress, more especialh' if its execution be intrusted, as ^he bill provides, to the iVesident, under the direction of the National Academy of Science. The entrance to Robeson's Channel, 81° N., can be readily reached by steam vessels. Surveys by the Polaris in 1871, and the Alert and Discovery in 1875, have been made to a point within four hundred miles of the pole. As the Polaris was reachinji; the northern extremity of Robeson's Channel, there api»eared what was seemingly, and what those best qualified to judge believed to be, an open Polar sea. This sea could have been reached had the vessel arrived at such point ev<'n an hour before, and the dream of explorers would have been a reality; but the ad- venturous party were forced back, ami wintered but a short distance from the unex])lored waters. Captain Nares, in 1875-'7G, encountered above this chan- HI ll hti-. 25 Tie! an uiihrokcn field of ice, too solid to penetrate with ves- sels, too uneven to he traversed hy sk'di^e |)arties. So, it will he ohserved, seasons there are no less variahle than our own. Sometimes the mighty Helds of ice are hroken up and carried away hy favoring tides;' sometimes the ice presents an im|iassil)le harrier. To siKrceed under such plans as have formerly heen fol- lowed woidd he simply l)ecause chance supported them. To make success assiu'cd, the men and the vessels must he nitrh the channel, ready for the fortunate houn, and prepared to to take i»rom)it advantage. To ohviate the ditliculty and meet the exig*'ncy, Polar colonization is declared tiie ap- propriate mode, and is therefore urged hy the distinguished gentlejuen we have name(L This plan re(|uii'es that the colonization party should num- her at least fifty hardy, resolute men, enlisted in the United States for sufh service, provided with siipidies and i)rovisi()n8 for at least three years; that a strong, sul)stantial building should he carried on ship-hoard; that the princii>al depot should l»e in Lady Franklin Bay, between 81° and 82°, or, if [lossible, as high as Cape [l^nion, hetweiMi latitude 82° and 88°; the United States vessel to be used only for transport- ing mill and supplies to the location of the colony, the ves- sel then to retur; >> the United States, and afterward to nuike annual visits, with fresh su]t[>lies, and to keep the colony in communication with the outer world; military disci[)line to be enforced ; three cinumissioned officers and two surgeons to be selected, with a view to their peculiar fitness; an as- tronomer and two or more naturalists to be selected hy the National Academy of Sciences; and that one or more mem- bers of the regular force should be competent to make me- teorological ol)servations, and to communicate by telegraph and signals, when necessary. Such are the main features of the plan, which also pro- vides that all due precaution shall be had to afford safeguards against scurvy, against the ill effects of cold, and also to pro- tect the colon V from iiunger. In the vicinity of the point where the colony is to locate, coal abounds, game is plentiful. Esfpiimaux men can he had to re-enforce and guide the expeditioiuiry corps, and Es(pii- maux doys to draw the sledges. The men become accli- mated after a few years, and Captain FTall, who was eight years among the Esquimaux, testifies that each year ended 26 found liiia bettor fitted to eiulure the severity of the Arctic Circle. ()th(!r nations are at this moment hnrrvinir forward ex- plorinif oxpeditions to Ix; prosecuted under this plan. Noble men in our own country ari' eaijer to enlist in the entei'prise. .. TntL'lligent and lilx'ral capitalists are ready to ii:\ve of their means to forward it. There has never before been an op|K)rtunity afforded, so promisiiiij^ in resiilts as the om> wdiich now presents itself. To make such exploratiouH entirely sut-cesffful, it is essen- tial that simultaneous observations ^(; had atdifilu'cnt points within the Arctic Circle, and for (iontinuous jjcriodsof time. Kni^land, durins: the present year, will fit out two vessels under the explorer Nares, on a Polar expedition via the east coast of Greenland. Sweden, in 1878, under the auspices of Professor Nordon- skjold, will exjtlore the Polar regions via Norway across to by way of Ikdiring's Strait. iJolland has determined upon another. Gernumy, uiuler the direction of the Arctic Exploration Society, has an Obi expedition, commanded by Captain Wiggins, now on duty. Russia, dui'ing the coming spring, will push forward an ethnological expedition, under the Helsingsfors professor, to the Vogels and Ostyacs of the Obi and Irtysh. And eminent explorers as well as scientific societies of all civilized countries are busying themselves in an endeavor to establish stations at different points in the Arctic regions with a view of sj'stematic synchronous observations, which are absolutely essential, with a view to progress in scientific discoveries. There is scarcely a natural scdence but would be enlarged and utilized by proper observations in the Polar seas. Natu- ral forces there are subject to extreme conditions, and conse- quently produce phenomena not seen elsewhere, and which serve to unveil the character of the forces themselves. Terrestrial magnetism, hitherto deemed a science of com- parative unim[K)rtance, is now deemed the most consequen- tial branch of physics; it is controlled by cosmical, atmos- pherical, and terrestrial action, and in the economy of nature exercises a recijirocal control. Reliable observations show the existence of galvanic cur- rents and the relationship between nuignetic disturbances i 27 and nortliorn liirlits iuid eartluiiiiikes, while it is woU known that niii'^'iietisni is in inscjjiinihlc citniu'ction with n'alvanism and oliH'tricity. In the cxtrmii' norlh the needle is rarely stutionarv. There, too, tiie wrathful stoi-nis ra^e an nowhere else. 8neh are the reasons why, it this intensely intere'st- ing science is to y-row, ohscrvatitms tiiust he iiad in that re- rnott^ ai'chi[)claL';<> of ice. Seai'(!ely less iiilcrestiuu', ami no less innnirtant to the woi'Id, than terrestrial niauiietism is a. knowledge of tht,' at- nios|ihere and its phenoim-na, es|)('cially their relation to lioat and inoi>turi', whii-h is ttoniprehended in nu'teorolo<;-y. In tlu- tar tiorlh, and liiere only, can l)e ascertained the ettect of that immense ati'u'reu'iil'<»n of ice; how heat is en- gendered and distriliuted; how dry and humid currents are created and i)Ut in motion to conuninii'le and eond»at each other; to what extent clinuite is atfeeted in this wise, and how hurricanes, which visit mankind with wrathful destruc- tion, oriy'inate. Is it necessary to exhihit, l»y any process of reasoning, tlie utility of sueii knowledge, the advantages which wou[(l aceumulate to staeiice and to conimerce? The tlattening of the earth at the Pole, and tlie extraordi- nary rt'tVactions tiiere, would yield such o[)portunities for investigation as would enable us to measure the earth with greater accuracy, to correct lines of latitude and longitude, and also greatly facilitate the study of astronomy. Natural history and bntany woidd he vastly enriched, as is attested by the exist 'uce of rare flora and fauna. Geology has found there the ground work of new theo- ries, and the explanation of many old ones. In Siberia are found animals of anterioi' worlds, while in Nova Zembia, Spitzbergen, and Greenland are fossils so ahuiuhmt and rare that the paleontologist exults in his enlarged s[)here. Wonderful already are the discoveries made in eac^h field of infiuii'V noted; but we are yet in the vestihule. The re- gion of the unknowahle is just beyond; we are invited thither. We know enough to realize the wealth which awaits us. Hitherto observations have l)een limited and imperfect, the most important of them wiiolly neglected ; accurate data as to all of the sciences named are wanting. Geographic discovery has hitherto been the objective point. While this is praiseworthy, while it a actually pn-clude scieiitilic discovei-y — all ap|)lianccs left at home, and almost continuous locomotion. Other nations arc adoptinj^ the same nn-tliods, and while American scientists are takint>' observations in the vicinity of Robeson's Strait, lik(! observations will be taken in Behr- inij's Strait, on the east coast of Greenland, in the vicinity of Spitzheryen, and at other points, simultaneously covering the wdiolo Held — belting tlie whole Arctic world — for several eonsocutive years. Other nations are already there or gettinji: in readiness to be tiiere. The way thronii;h Smith's Sound, where J)e Haven, Kane, Hall, and Hayes, by their heroic researches, have i>"iven immortal i^Iory to America, seems tt) be the tit- test field for Americans in this race for compiest and discov- ery. Tt is familiar, and other fields are alreudy chosen by other governments. Dismiss the unsettled, vexed (piestion, which is the most direct and practicable route to the I'ole? C'onditions vary. One year one is preferable, another, another; all are equally rich in scientitii)OHing wo wore coiitroUed alone Itv the iiistiiiet ol" a hu- preiiie selfishiiesH, whieli eoiisidern iiothiiiir hut the (luestious, Will it payy will it liel]» eominei-ee ? will it tcoiioiuize liuiiuin lite and proiterty? there would still he sullieieiit reasons left to Justify this undortakin^u;. We can Kuppcu't this statement sufReieiitlv hy aeecpting the testimony of I'rof. Klias Loomis, ol" ^'aie (.\)llege, wdio says, in his adndrahle letti-r, lieri'to apiieiidnd : The viiHl exicnsioii uf llie coiimicrcc of tin- wnrlil in ri'ciiiil times, uiid its in- creased Heourity, are duis in no sniiill dcfiroe to more ftccnrato i n form st ion reHpeciini; the i)liysii's of tiie f^lobi-, iiiuludiiif; siu'li Hulijccts hh llic nieiui direc- lioii iiiid foi'fc of iju' priviilciit winds; i lie liiws of slornis; tlie use of tlic ba- romeler in fiiviiijj; wiiminii of iiiiiiroiieliiii;f violent winds: liie surest mode of esciip'Mg tlie vioieiiee of n storm wlien oveiiiilcen \iy ii jrnle ; llie must advan- ' lageouM route from one (mrl to aiiotlier; liie diieeiioii iind velocity of the cur- rent in every ocean; (he variiition of tlie rnii^ttietic needb' in nil latitudes, and its changes from year toyeiir; together with inuiiy other jirohlenis ; and most of these invosiigations liave bi^cn trri'iuly f;u'iliiaied \>y oliservntioim which have been made witliin the Arctic refiions. I do not rejjard it as any exapge- ration to claim ihal the benefits which li:ive resulted, both directly and indi- rectly, to the coniinerce of the world in conser|ueiice of Polar ex|iedition.«, are more than equal to all the money which has been exjiended on these cnter- jiriaes. Last year a whalini>;-tleet of twelve vessels was wrecked in tlio Arctic tSoa, and proi>erty to the anumnt of half a million of dollars destroyed, all hocause of a lack of proper knowl- edge of climatic and tidal intluences, which can alone he ohtained hy ohservations made in the manner provided for in this l)ill. Business men liave a keen ap[)reciation of the importance of those exi)lorationsto commerce. They have always heen anxious to aid them hy liheral contrihutions. Some of them have heen prosecuted solely hy jtrivate means. Tiie names of many merchants have heen y:iven to capes and hays and promontories and straits as vouchers of the fame they have so justly earned hy intelligent devotion to science. Boards of trade and ehand)ers of commerce are now, through memorials, already hefore this committee, invoking us to [lass this hill, and renew the honorahlc work. The cost is slight. The ends aimed at will provoke no intelligent opposition. The methods proposed are not ex- perimental, hut the product of experience. They have the sanction and even the warmest commeiuhition of all scien- tific men of all nations. The supervision of the ^Sational 80 Acaili'iny "f ScicniM's will iiisiii'c wise ppovlHioiiH iiikI nafo- guaids iii^aiu.st accidi'iU, disease, or liiiliu'c. Di-. Hayes, the eminent aiid Hue<-essl'iil Arctic explorer, coiiicidcH fully u'itli the views herein expressed, iih also do others faniiliiir l)y actual ex)M'i'ieMi'c. 'I'lie honoi- of the Anu'rii'an name is invohed. Will (^)n- gress suppress this zealous spii'it of impiiry and adventure, or give it scope Ity the [lassage of this hill, and a meagre ap- propriation oi" fifty thousand (lollars V To us it ajiix-ars thorn should he hut on(! answer, and, tlu-refore. we ri'|u>rt back th(i hill with the recommendation that it do pass. APTET^DIX 2. \ The following letter is from a gentleman who was con- nected with Arctic exploring parties in the seach lor Sir John Fraidvlin. lie had tin- frit'udship and esteem of Dr. Klisha Kent Kane, and is often referred to in the works of that lamented y-entleman : St. Andhem's, Manitojja, ) August '22(1, 1S77. / To ihc. Il]i/i/oi' of the Nt'ir Loudon Tclcf/rnin : Sir: in a lati; issue ol' a local pa])erof this ])ro\'ince I Hnd that a Polar expedition is now in course of etinipment, and will sail from New York in July next. As one who takes an interest in Ai'ctic matters, having commanded one of Lady Franklin's pi'ivate Arctic expeditions, will you kindly permit me, through you, to say byway of sympathy and en- couragement to those going, that 1 considei- such an enter- prise as likely to be productive of two jtrimary results. 1 believe, in the first place, that from the highest north- ern points attained by Hall and Nares, the North Pole may be easily reached, and by sledges. To accomplish this it is only necessary to have ])roper men and other appropriate equipment. The men should be those accustomed to the use of snow shoe and sled. Their food should consist mainly of pemican and dried meat, prepared after the manner of the Red river buftido hunters. Such food is compact, nu- i \i{ triti()iis,!i!i(l tiot likely to ^ivcsciirvv. Tlu'irclothiiii; sl)(>ul(l \h' rttroiii;', u'ooli'ii muK'i'clotliiiiu;, with ilri'ssi'd iiiodsi'-si^in, or itrt ru'iirt'st e(niiv;ilciit, as oiiti^i- «jfanii(.!Uts. A.s loot ^car iiolhiiiU' <'aii t'i|iial the Indian inoccaHin. To l)»' in'i'iiai'i'd \\)v every eventuality tliey slKuild l)e pro- vided with two kinds of slediics — the l']M(irnnan.\ sli'd, which has runners, anti the Indian tiat sled. Tlie HrsI is best tittiMl I'oi' runninii,' over crusted snow, the othei- (»\-er Hol'l snow, such as Nares I'ounil. The t'liel loi- Journeys HJiould he spirits of wine, ami snow houses for shelti-r, in- Htoud of tents; the hevera^e only tuu and cotlee — no sj)iiits whatsoever. Beinn" thus provided and settinu: «'iif and ultimately finding its way to J-iobt-son's (of !Narcs) channel, enters t liat and so passes southward through Baliin's IJay into the Atlantic. A stream like this can alone account for Arctic summer birds, in going north in autumn and south in spring, in going to and returning fi-om flieii- w inter haunts. They may fairly be su[)poscd to round the northern coast line of (Jreen- land, being thus guideil by the lilghcr tem[>eraturc Itoth ot tbe water and the atmosphere in this, the supposed termi- natii»n of the gulf stream. Cold, dismal, and uninviting as the Smith Sound region is, it nevertheless has its undeveloped resources no less than other countries. The walrus seem to be abuiKhmt in that region, also the polar bear, the musk ox, the reindeer, and other animals. With the aid of tlie Ivsquimaux, provided with the proper recjuisites for it, they might [)rocure large numbers of these animals. The seam of coal discovered by 88 ! I 4 NftrcH would fiiipply a first roquiHiU' for a cotnfortiiblc firo- 81(1 «'. Till' cxpcdilioji hIiouM <'iirrv with it iircHoiitH lor the Ks- quiiniiiix, Hiidi uh huwh, iixen, kiiivcH, lisli-liooks, awls, ^iiii- jcts, (irillH, liUis, needles, iuid other iiteiisiU. Tlie {''sciuiiiiiuix discovered by tlie lute liiinelited Dr. Kiiiie iire riiitetj SlilteH citizens, iiiid imist he liviiii;- in that state that ijjeologists de- Bcril)o as ti)C' "stone and iron a^e." Any tool, thorul'oro, with an t'du'e to it must l)e of inealcnlnhle valne to sueh a j»eo|)le. With a moderate supply of tlu-se, hut more than all, with yuns and ammunition, such as we may sup])oso to be stored in United »States stores, as now useless relies of the late war, how much mitcht he done to incorpoi'ate " the less advanced with tht; more j)rojL:fressive man," and so turn to account that which is at present as if it were not in ex- istence. Very truly yours, William Kennedy, Late Commandig Lady Franklin't Private Arctic Expedition.