NTRODUCTOKY LETT EH. 



Washington, March 7, 1860. 



Professor Joseph Henry, LL.D., 



Secretary of the Smithsoniim Inslitution : 



Dear Sir: The records of the astronomical observations made under the direc- 

 tion of Dr. Kane, in the second expedition to the Arctic regions, Avere placed in 

 my hands by his late lamented father. Judge Kane, in December, 1857. 



Dr. Kane had selected Assistant Charles A. Schott, of the Coast Survey, for the 

 reduction of a considerable portion of the observations made in that expedition; 

 and I, therefore, placed these in Mr. Schott's possession for reduction and discussion. 

 The work has been faithfully performed, and I recommend it for publication in 

 the " Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge." It is proper to state that the 

 instruments were furnished in part by the U. S. Coast Survey, and that the com- 

 putations have been made at the expense of the Smithsonian Institution. 



Very respectfully, yours, 



A. D. BACHE. 



