Letter. 



naiufd. Tlirou<'li the courtesy of Professor Baird, Secretary of the 

 Suiithsoiiian Institution, and of Professor White, United States Geolo- 

 u-ist. a vahiable paper on the geological collections brought by Hall 

 in tlie United States has been furnished from the pen of Prof. B. K. 

 Kmerson, of Amherst College. 



The two years preceding this expedition being years of severe 

 labor spent bv Captain Hall in preparing for the renewal of his earlier 

 wnrk which liad the same objects in view, the Narrative commences 

 with this period of preparation, and is thus legitimately linked to the 

 objects of Sir John Franklin's Expedition of 1845 and to the expedi- 

 tit»ns sent out for his relief. In a Preliminar}^ Chapter the results of 

 these are given in tabulated form, with maps illustrative of the general 

 progress of geographical exploration secured by these expeditions. 



I have to acknowledge the courtesy shown by Sir Leopold 

 McCHntock and by Admiral R. CoUinson, K N., in the communica- 

 tions received iVoni them; the kindness of Miss Sophia Cracroft in 

 returnin;:- two of Hall's journals which had been sent by him to Lady 

 Franklin, and in tlie htan of a portrait of Sir John which has been repro- 

 duced by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing ; and the receipt 

 througli the State Department of valued statistical information col- 

 lated l>y Fnited States Consul McDougal, of Dundee. The assistance 

 rendered t(. Hall l)y liis numerous friends is named within the text, 

 from his own ackiiKwledirments. 



I am, sir, very respectfull}', your obedient servant, 



J. E. NOURSE, 



Pro/, U. S. N. 



Rear- Admiral .Ioii.n iioDOEKs, 



Superintendent. 



