FOREIGN SUPPORT. 7 



and the enlightened Vice-President of the Geograph- 

 ical Society of Paris, M. de la Roquette, promptly 

 offered, as an earnest of his good will, a liberal contri- 

 bution to the fund. 



The Masonic Fraternity in New York, Boston, and 

 Philadelphia also gave their assistance, and it was not 

 the less appreciated that it was spontaneous and un- 

 expected. 



Notwithstanding the unceasing efforts which were 

 thus made in every quarter, and the almost universal 

 interest w^hich the undertaking at length excited, it 

 was not until the beginning of June, 1860, that I was 

 able to commence my preparations. My plans of ex- 

 ploration had been based upon the expectation of 

 being able to start with two vessels, — one a small 

 steamer, to be taken out under sails, and the steam- 

 power only to be used when actually among the ice ; 

 — the other a sailing vessel, to be employed as a ten- 

 der or store-ship. 



It now became evident to us that if my departure 

 was deferred to another year, the chances of my sail- 

 ing at all would be diminished rather than increased ; 

 and we therefore determined to do the best we could 

 with the means at hand. These means would enable 

 us to fit out and man only one small sailing vessel. 



To Mr. Richard Baker, Jr., the energetic chairman 

 of the Boston Committee, (aided by a sub-committee 

 consisting of Mr. Warren Sawyer, Mr. John Stetson, 

 Mr. 0. W. Peabody, and Mr. J. D. W. Joy,) was in- 

 trusted the selection and purchase of such a craft 

 as would best compromise between the services to 

 be performed and the state of our finances ; and the 

 duty was accomplished with characteristic sagacity. 

 When I reached Boston, a few days after the purchase 



