XVI INTRODUCTION. 



MEMORANDUM ACCOMPANYING THE 

 INSTRUCTIONS. 



" We deem it advisable that the ship should be 

 in Beering's Strait by the 10th of July, and that 

 she should remain at some appointed rendezvous 

 until the end of October, or to as late a period as 

 the season will admit, without incurring the risk of 

 being obliged to winter there. 



" At present we know of but one place on the 

 eastern shore of the strait which we can recommend 

 as a rendezvous for both parties, viz. Kotzebue's 

 Sound ; there it appears the ship may remain with 

 all winds. Desirable as it is to take up a more 

 northerly position than this, in order that the voy- 

 age of Captain Franklin's party in open boats may 

 be shortened ; yet, admitting the possibility of deep 

 inlets on the coast, it is evident that the boats of 

 Captain Franklin would have more difficulty in 

 searching for the ship in them than in proceeding 

 at once to the above-mentioned sound ; and the 

 certainty of finding the ship at a fixed point would 

 be more satisfactory to Captain Franklin. 



" In order, however, to lessen as far as possible 

 the difficulties of the land party (still preserving the 

 fixed rendezvous), it is recommended that a party, 

 well armed, and having a supply of provisions and 

 fuel, shall be left at Chamisso Island with a boat ; 

 or, if it be necessary, the defences of the island may 

 be strengthened by the two forecastle guns, which, 

 with a strong boat's crew, will be sufficient to pro- 

 tect the only landing-place in the island against 



