U. S. ARCTIC COLONIZATION AND EXPLORATION IN 1881. 211 



It will be interesting to watch the operations of the two plans and compare 

 the results. 



In this paper it is proposed to give a brief summary of the different expedi- 

 tions for future reference, the data being drawn in most instances from official 

 sources. 



THE HOWGATE OR LADY FRANKLIN BAY EXPEDITION. 



The following official documents show the action of the Government to date 

 in connection with this expedition : 



An Act to Authorize and Equip an Expedition to the Arctic Seas. 



Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of 

 America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be, and he 

 hereby is, authorized to establish a temporary station at some point north of the 

 eighty-first degree of north latitude, on or near the shore of Lady Franklin Bay, 

 for purposes of scientific observation and exploration, and to develop or discover 

 new whaling grounds ; to detail such officers or other persons of the public service 

 to take part in the same as may be necessary, and who are willing to enlist for 

 such purpose, not exceeding fifty in number, and to use any public vessel or ves- 

 sels that may be suitable for the purpose of transporting the members of said sta- 

 tion and their necessary suppHes, and for such other duty in connection with said 

 station as may be required from time to time : Provided, That the President of 

 the United States is authorized to accept from H. W. Howgate, and fit out for 

 the purposes of this expedition, the Steamship Gulnare, which vessel shall be 

 returned to its owner when the objects of the expedition shall have been accom- 

 plished, or when, in the opinion of the President, its services are no longer re- 

 quired : Provided further, That the United States shall not be liable to any claim 

 for compensation in case of loss, damage, or deterioration of said vessel from any 

 cause, or in any manner whatever, nor be liable to any demand for the use or 

 risk of said vessel. 



Approved May ist, 1880. 



For securing this Congressional action, the friends of Arctic enterprise are 

 under especial obHgations to the Hon. J. R. McPherson, U. S. Senator from 

 New Jersey, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Naval Affairs ; to the Hon. 

 W, C. Whitthorne, Member of Congress from Tennessee, and Chairman of the 

 Committee on Naval Affairs in the House of Representatives, and to the Hon. 

 Omar D. Conger, then a Member of the House, from Michigan, and now a Sen- 

 ator from the same State. 



Washington, D. C, May i, 1880. 

 To the President: 



Sir, — I have the honor to tender herewith the Steamship Gulnare for the 

 purposes set forth in the Act of Congress entitled : " An Act to Authorize and 

 Equip an Expedition to the Arctic Seas." 



