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REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. XXxi 
some very remarkable facts were elicited respecting the magnetic storms. 
At both stations they occur simnltaneously ; but with the significant differ- 
ence that their directions are opposite. This indicates so clearly the relation 
of these disturbances to a point somewhere between Point Barrow and 
Toronto, that it appeared to the Physical Section of the British Association, 
when discussing at its late Meeting these observations, of high importance 
to have them continued and extended. For this purpose a location in or 
near Mackenzie River appears the most suitable, as very well situated with 
respect to the other two, and as easily accessible without any extraordinary 
risk, or chance of long detention. The same instruments are available; and 
as there are many officers in Her Majesty’s Navy perfectly competent to use 
them, it is confidently expected that the result would be alike beneficial to 
this department of Physical Science, and honourable to our country.” 
No reply having been received to this communication, the following letter 
was addressed, on the 4th of January, by the President, to G. C. Barrington, 
Esq., private Secretary to Lord Palmerston :— 
“ January 4, 1858. 
“ Sir,—On the 31st of October I communicated to Lord Palmerston a 
resolution adopted by the British Association for the Advancement of Science, 
making application to Her Majesty’s Government to send a vessel to the 
vicinity of the Mackenzie River, for the purpose of obtaining in that region 
certain observations, which recent discoveries in Terrestrial Magnetism had 
proved to be of high importance to science ; and I enclosed at the same time 
a Memorial, setting forth in detail the grounds of the application. 
** As the time for making the necessary preparations for such an expedition 
has now fully arrived, I trust I shall not be deemed unreasonable in recalling, 
through you, his Lordship’s consideration to the subject. 
“Tn reference to this part of the question, I beg to enclose a letter from 
Captain Maguire, who commanded H.M.S. ‘ Plover’ in the same seas in 1852, 
1853, 1854, and who is probably the best authority on the subject. It will 
be seen from it, that there is still sufficient time to equip a vessel for the 
forthcoming season. As respects the kind of vessel required, and the nature 
of the equipment, the same officer writes as follows, in a letter dated the 5th 
of November last, addressed to General Sabine :— 
_ “One of the despatch gun-vessels will answer very well. There are also 
many sailing-sloops now lying idle—such as the ‘ Frolic’ and ‘ Espiégle,’ or 
many others, that might be made available at a trifling expense. The strength- 
ening need not be much; and a very small auxiliary steam-power, sufficient 
to propel the vessel two or three knots in a calm, would suffice to carry her 
through the land-water of the north coast from Point Barrow. The shores 
from thence to the Mackenzie afford, in every part, an ample supply of drift- 
wood fit for steaming purposes.’ 
“ As I believe that one of the chief objections, on the part of Her Majesty’s 
Government, to further expeditions to the Arctic Seas, is the danger to the 
lives of the seamen employed in the service, I think it right to add, that an 
expedition to this locality will be attended with xo unusual risk,—and that, 
on the other hand, it may afford important support to the gallant crew who 
are now engaged in the final search for the traces of the Franklin Expedition, 
if the commander should be induced by circumstances, which are not im- 
probable, to push his vessel westward. 
“T have the honour to be, Sir, 
“Your obedient Servant, 
(Signed) “ H. Lroyp.” 
“To G. C. Barrington, Esq.” 
