748 PLAN FOB TEE EXPLORATION OF THE ARCTIC. 



what dangers dare, what obstacles overcome, we can neither know nor fore- 

 cast, but she and her gallant crew are none the lees in the hands of Him wlio 

 rules the ice-bound waste as surely as He rules this crowded city, and with- 

 out whose paternal knowledge not even the sparrow falls. 



To guard against possible delay, in the event of Capt. Tyson's failure to 

 reach Disco at the proper time or without proper supplies, the Danish Gov- 

 ernment has been requested to delay the shipment of furs from that point 

 until the middle of August, in order that a supply may be purchased from 

 that source if necessary. 



As soon after the opening of the present session of Congress as practic- 

 able, the bill to authorize the expedition was offered in the Senate and 

 House of Eepresentatives, and in both referred to the Naval Committee. 

 The House Committe*^, through Mr. Willis, of New York, who from the first 

 has been an active friend of this measure, has renewed its favorable report 

 of last session, and the bill is now awaiting the final action of the House 

 upon it. From the Senate Committee I have the assurance of a favorable 

 report. Senators Sargent and McPherson, having immediate charge of the 

 bill, have exhibited a gratifying interest in its success, and it is reasonable 

 to hope for its final passage. 



In Paris, M. de Ponvielle, who is well known as an accomplished aeronaut 

 and man of letters, is making a series of balloon experiments for the benefit 

 of the future colony, in the foundation of which he takes a lively interest, 

 and the French Geographical Society, at its last regular session, formally 

 expressed its approval of the plan. The Bremen Geographical Society, 

 through its Secretary, Dr. Lindeman, had previously expressed a similar 

 approval, and everything seems working favorably toward the accomplish- 

 ment of the desired end ; even the mighty forces of nature and the change- 

 ful seasons appear to labor for the success of the expedition ; for the present 

 winter, of such unprecedented mildness, will undoubtedly retard the forma- 

 tion of ice in the Polar basin, and leave a freer passage for the colony next 

 summer, up Baffin's Bay to Kennedy and Eobeson's Channels. The great 

 veteran explorer. Professor Nordenskiold, and the favorable reports which 

 he brings back with his expedition just returned, with the wonderful voyage 

 of Captain Wiggins from the mouth of the Yenessei along the Siberian coast 

 and through the Kara Sea, all demonstrate that the open season has unsealed 

 the ice of higher latitudes, and points to a favorable northward passage 

 during the coming summer. 



I have not touched this evening upon the vast interests to science which 

 Polar expeditions represent, and the important questions which they alone 

 can solve, nor upon the geographical theories and arguments in support of 

 the different routes that might be followed, preferring to leave the settle 

 ment of these subjects to more competent hands. The noble Earl who honors 

 us with his presence this evening, and who has won distinction in Arctic 

 fiields as well as in those of statesmanship, and Dr. Hayes, whose triumphs 

 as an explorer have been supplemented by those accorded to the successful 



