EXPEDITION TOWARD THE NORTH POLE. 3G3 



ever, Mr. Buildiugton sliall, in case of your deutli or disability, coiitiuiie 

 as the sailing" and ice master, and control and direct the movements of 

 the vessel; and Dr. Besseis shall, in such case, continue as chief of the 

 scientific department, directing" al! sledge Journeys and scientific opera- 

 tions. In the possible contingency of their non-agreement as to the 

 course to be pursued, then Mr. Buddington sliall assume sole charge 

 and command, and return with the expedition to the United States with 

 all possible dispatch. 



You will transmit to this Department, as often as opportunity offers, 

 reports of your iirogress and results of your search, detailing the route 

 of your proposed advance. At the most prominent points of your 

 progress you will erect conspicuous skeleton stone monuments, deposit- 

 ing near each, in accordance with the confidential marks agreed upon, 

 a condensed record of your progress, with a description of the route 

 upon wliich you propose to advance, making caches of provisions, &c., 

 if you deem fit. 



In the event of the necessity of finally abandoning your vessel, you 

 will at once endeavor to reach localities frequented by whaling or other 

 ships, making" every exertion to send to the United States information 

 of your position and situation, and as soon as possible to return with 

 your party, preserving, as far as maj^ be, the records of, and all possi- 

 ble objects and specimens collected in, the expedition. 



All persons attached to the expedition are under your command, and 

 shall, under every circumstance and condition, be subject to the rules, 

 regulations, and laws governing the discipline of the Navy, to be modi- 

 fied, but not increased, by you as the circumstances may in your judg- 

 ment require. 



To keep the Government as well informed as possible of your pro- 

 gress, you will, after passing Cape Dudlej" Digges, throw overboard 

 daily, as open water or drifting ice may permit, a bottle or small copper 

 cylinder, closely sealed, containing a paper, stating date, i)ositiou, and 

 such other facts as you may deem interesting. For this purpose you 

 will have prepared papers containing a request, jDrinted in several 

 languages, that the finder transmit it by the most direct route to the 

 Secretary of the Navy, "Washington, United States of America. 



Upon the return of the expedition to the United States, you will 

 transmit your own and all other records to the Department. You will 

 direct Dr. Besseis to transmit all the scientific records and collections 

 to the Smithsonian Institution, Washington. 



The history of the expedition will be prepared by yourself, from all 

 the journals and records of the expedition, under the supervision of the 

 Department. All the records of the scientific results of the expedition 

 will be prepared, supervised, and edited by Dr. Besseis, under the 

 direction and authority of the president of the National Academy of 

 Sciences. 

 Wishing for you and your brave comrades health, happiness, and 



