874 APPENDIX. 



. discovery, exploration, and scientific research ; and we do bind our- 

 selves to discharge our several duties or services to the utmost of our 

 power and ability ; and to be in everything conformable and obedient 

 to the several requirings and commands of the officers who may, from 

 time to time, be placed over us. 



Secondly, we do also oblige and subject ourselves to serve well and 

 truly in carrying out the objects of said cruise to the Arctic Regions 

 from the date of our signing these to the day on which we are dis- 

 charged from the Naval Service of the United States by competent 

 authority. 



Thirdly, understanding and appreciating fully the hardships and 

 dangers to which we may be subjected, and the varied and peculiar 

 duties which we may be called upon to perform, whether as members 

 of a ship's company, portions of an outlying and removed colony, or 

 forming one of a party told off for any particular duty, whether afloat 

 or ashore, on ice or over it, we none the less cheerfully and willingly 

 bind ourselves to unhesitatingly obey such orders as may be given us, 

 and devote to the carrying into effect thereof all our strength and abil- 

 ity ; and to strictly observe, comply with, and be subject to such laws, 

 regulations, and discipline of the Navy, as are or shall be established 

 by the Congress of the United States, or other competent authority, 

 and to such especial laws, regulations, and discipline as have been 

 established in this particular case. 



Fourthly, recognizing the peculiar situations in which we may be 

 placed, and the extreme importance of carefully guarding against waste 

 or improvidence of any kind, we do each severally bind ourselves to 

 watch over and care for all articles of food, raiment, and equipment ; 

 to accept such establishment of food, both as to quantity and quality, as 

 may be directed from time to time by the commanding or other author- 

 ized officer ; to wear such articles of dress as we may be ordered to wear, 

 changing, altering, or modifying the same at the discretion of said 

 commanding or otherwise authorized officer; and to preserve faithfully 

 the good condition and usefulness of whatever articles of arms or 

 equipment of any kind may be entrusted to our care. 



Fifthly, the said Lieutenant George W. De Long, for and in be- 

 half of the United States, does hereby covenant and agree to and with 

 the said seamen, petty officers, and others who have hereunto signed 

 their names, that they and each of them shall be paid, in consideration 

 of such services, the amount per month which, in the column hereunto 

 annexed, headed "Wages per month," is set opposite to their names 

 respectively ; or the wages due to the ratings which may, from time to 



