ALBERTA 



45 



The following letter received at this time, embodies the plans 

 which I had submitted for approval to the University: 



Iowa City, Iowa, March 7th, 1893. 

 Mr. Frank Russell, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada : 



Dear Sir : In accordance with the wish of the Executive Committee of 

 the Board of Regents of the State University of Iowa, I have prepared the 

 following instructions for yourguidance in the exploration which you have 

 undertaken in the interest of this University. 



1. We understand that the officers of the Hudson's Bay Company have 

 endorsed as practicable the following plan, which is outlined in a letter just 

 received from you. Leaving Winnipeg as soon as this letter and the sup- 

 plies sent from here have been received, and the preparations for your trip 

 have been completed, you are to proceed to Macleod, Alberta, and collect 

 zoological and ethnological specimens until about May 1st. After this you 

 will proceed to Ft. Chippewyan, where you will remain and collect until 

 about June 10th, at which time you expect to be able to proceed northward 

 by steamer to Fort Simpson; where you are to consult Mr. Camsell, the 

 officer in charge of that post, as to your winter quarters. 



The plan, as outlined above, is approved of, and you are instructed to 

 carry it out as nearly as possible, although you are authorized to deviate 

 from the same in details if such deviation be, in your judgment, desirable. 



2. We understand that your plan for further operations is as follows: 

 You intend, if possible, to secure the services of a reliable Indian, with 

 whom you will go by canoe to Fort Confidence, near the Northeast shore 

 of Great Bear Lake, where you expect to establish a permanent camp for 

 the winter, game and wood being reported plenty in that vicinity. When 

 navigation opens, in the spring of 1894, you intend to proceed by canoe to 

 the mouth of the Coppermine River, where you will collect until approach- 

 ing winter warns you to return to Fort Resolution and home. 



This plan is approved, provided: 



a. That it can be carried out without great personal danger to your- 

 self. This University does not desire you to imperil your life in its 

 service, and you are particularly instructed not to incur any dangers 

 which would be considered as of unusual gravity by the Hudson's 

 Bay officers with whom you consult. 



b. That you can secure the services of a man known to the Hud- 

 son's Bay officers as one who can be relied upon as honest, intelli- 

 gent and faithful. 



3. You are expected to advance in every reasonable way the scientific 

 objects of your expedition, which are 



a. A full collection of the Mammals of the regions visited, especially 

 the Musk-ox; Caribou, Polar Bear and Wood Buffalo, if such can be 

 had. 



b. A full collection of the Birds, especially those breeding in the far 

 north, of which a full series of eggs, young, and specimens in sum- 

 mer plumage, is desired. 



