304 A rguments for 



With these facts before us, we now turn to the subject of 

 a fresh polar expedition, of a purely scientific character, to 

 deal with the points set forth in the first paragraph of this 

 memorandum. 



It will be seen, on reference to a circum-polar chart, that 

 the entire area within the 80th degree of north latitude, except 

 at two points — Parry's furthest in 1827, and the American 

 explorations at Smith Sound — is an entire blank. In addi- 

 tion to this, there is a great area north of Behring's Straits, 

 between long. 150° E. and 130° W., which is likewise un- 

 known. The aggregate of these two areas around our northern 

 pole is not less than 2,400,000 square miles. 



Since 1865 the council of the Royal Geographical Society 

 have constantly had their attention turned to the desirability 

 of extending their researches into this vast unknown region; 

 and had they been justified in risking private expeditions 

 upon such an enterprise, they might safely have appealed 

 with success to their countrymen for funds and volunteers to 

 undertake them ; but they have, for reasons stated, preferred 

 to urge such an undertaking on the Government, and in the 

 same year a strong representation was made to the Duke 

 of Somerset, then First Lord of the Admiralty, on the sub- 

 ject. At that time there was considerable divergence of 

 opinion amongst English and other Arctic authorities as to 

 the best route by which an expedition should be despatched 

 for successful exploration within the unknown area around 

 the North Pole, and Swedish and German expeditions were 

 then making the attempt by Avay of Spitzbergen. His Grace 

 declined to entertain the proposition until the results of those 

 said expeditions were known. 



In consequence of this view, the council of the Royal Geo- 

 graphical Society carefully watched the results of expeditions 

 undertaken by foreign countries, in order to be in a position 

 to recommend one route as undoubtedly the best, before again 

 pressing the subject upon the attention of the Government. 



