46 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



our Hydrographic Office in relation to Beliring Strait, and a 

 copy of tins information will be furnished us. We may be 

 able to accomplish much by way of Bebring Strait by leaving 

 San Francisco as late as July 1st, but I would like to be ready 

 by June 1st or 10th. My opinion may be changed by what 

 you have heard from Dr. Petermann, but as you have not 

 told me what that was I cannot say now. 



" Now I wish to submit the following points to you for your 

 action. It is highly important that I should be in England to 

 see the Pandora repaired, and got ready for sea. A small 

 omission now may cost us the success of the expedition in 

 the end. Chipp should be recalled from China by cable at 

 once, and if you think favorably of my suggestions, be or- 

 dered to take the Pandora around the Horn. Upon the pas- 

 sage of the bill transferring the ship to the American flag, 

 there should be a measure introduced and put through Con- 

 gress, authorizing the vessel to be commanded and officered 

 partially or entirely by naval officers, the pennant of a na- 

 tional vessel hoisted at the main, the crew shipped subject to 

 naval rules and discipline, and the President empowered to 

 confer such additional authority upon the commanding officer 

 as will render him able in his isolated position to enforce dis- 

 cipline in extreme emergencies. Then I want an order from 

 the President in something like the following words : ' You 

 are hereby ordered to command the expedition now being pre- 

 pared and fitted out by James Gordon Bennett, Esq., of New 

 York, for the purpose of North Polar explorations ; and you 

 will report to the Secretary of the Navy for said duty and for 

 such detailed assistance as you require.' 



" The assistance of the Treasury Department should be in- 

 voked to order its agent in Alaska to provide seal-skin cloth- 

 ing for about thirty-five people, in height from five and a half 

 to six feet, and to secure say forty dogs, and to collect, if pos- 

 sible, about one hundred tons of coal. The use of the San 

 Francisco navy yard and dry dock should be asked for. The 

 memorial to Congress should ask that the different depart- 

 ments of the Government be authorized to aid and assist us in 

 every way ; to provide us with all instruments and appurto- 



