PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXPEDITION. 71 



the terms of the two Acts of March 18, 1878, and Feb- 

 ruary 27, 1879, proceeds: — 



" Under the authority conferred by these Acts of Congress, 

 the Jeannette has been accepted, fitted out, officered, and 

 manned under the orders of this Department, and you have 

 been ordered to the command of the voyage of exploration. 



" As soon as the Jeannette, under your command, is in all 

 respects ready for sea, you will proceed with her to Behring 

 Strait, to execute the important and hazardous service in- 

 trusted to you. In the execution of this service, the Depart- 

 ment must leave the details to your experience, discretion, and 

 judgment. It has full confidence in your ability in all matters 

 connected with the safety and discipline of the ship, the health 

 and comfort of the officers and crew, and the faithful prosecu- 

 tion of the object of the voyage. 



" On reaching Behring Strait, you will make diligent in- 

 quiry at such points where you deem it likely that information 

 can be obtained concerning the fate of Professor Nordenskjold, 

 as the Department has been unable to have positive *confirma- 

 tion of the reports of his safety. If you have good and suffi- 

 cient reasons for believing that he is safe, you will proceed on 

 your voyage toward the North Pole. If otherwise, you will 

 pursue such course as, in your judgment, is necessary for his 

 aid and relief. 



" You will, as opportunity offers, advise the Department of 

 your whereabouts, and of such matters of interest connected 

 with the voyage as you may desire to communicate. Wishing 

 you a prosperous voyage, and commending you, the officers 

 and crew, and the object of your expedition, to the protecting 

 care of Almighty God, 



" I am very respectfully yours, 



" R. W. Thompson, 



" Secretary of the JSfavy.''^ 



It was a severe disappointment to Captain De Long 

 that the founder of the expedition was not to be in San 

 Francisco to bid him God-speed. In the connection 



