286 Knud Rasmussen. 



The work of the station is carried on under my supervision, 

 with Mr. Peter Freuchen as manager of the trading factory, the 

 Danish affairs in connection therewith being in the hands of a com- 

 mittee, consisting of Mr. M. Ib Nyeboe (Chairman), Mr. Chr. Erich- 

 sen and Mr. Chr. Rasmussen, to all of whom I am likewise greatly 

 indebted for the keen disinterestedness with which they have furthered 

 the work of the station, both as regards its expeditionary aims, and 

 also in the task of providing the Eskimos with such goods as might 

 be considered advisable and necessary for the general improvement 

 of their condition. 



Before starting out on my expedition in 1910, I applied to the 

 committee in charge of the Greenland geological and geographical 

 investigations, then consisting of His Excellency Admiral Wandel, 

 Kommandör G. Holm, and Dr. K. J. V. Steenstrup, with the request 

 that they would act as patrons. My object in so doing was to render 

 myself morally bound to an institution, the importance of which in 

 matters connected with Greenland can scarcely be over-estimated. I 

 feel it incumbent upon me here to express my respectful thanks to 

 the gentlemen in question for the very courteous encouragement af- 

 forded me on that occasion. 



Prominent among the scientific objects of the expedition was 

 that of exploring and surveying the supposed Peary Channel, which 

 plan was ultimately realised in 1912, in the course of the undertaking 

 known as the First Thule Expedition, to the expenses of which the 

 Carlsberg Fund contributed the sum of 9700 Kroner. 



