U. S. ARCTIC COLONIZATION AND EXPLORATION IN 1881. 223 



You are permitted, in your discretion, to remain in the; Arctic Ocean as 

 late in the season as may be necessary to accomplish the object of your voyage 

 without encountering undue hazard to your command. 



While cruising in the Arctic Sea, you will make careful observations as to 

 currents, tides, &c., and will keep an accurate record of such soundings, surveys, 

 &c., as you may be able to make, and you will obtain such information as may 

 be practicable regarding the numbers, character, occupations and general condi- 

 tion of the inhabitants of the adjacent coasts. 



It is hoped that in your Arctic cruise you may be able to make use of coal 

 from the mines located and opened by you last season, and you are authorized, 

 should you deem it advisable, to ship, in the capacity of ordinary seamen, two 

 or three persons skilled in coal mining, whose services you may make use of in 

 getting out a supply from the mines above mentioned. You are also authorized 

 to purchase any implements which may be necessary for the purpose. 



Previous to sailing from San Francisco, you will forward to this department 

 a muster and descriptive roll of officers and men of your command. You will, 

 whenever opportunity presents, transmit to the department reports of the progress 

 of your cruise. 



In conclusion, the department, having defined the general objects of your 

 voyage and relying upon your skill and good judgment, confides to your discre- 

 cretion the details of your cruising within the Arctic Ocean, and takes pleasure 

 in wishing you a prosperous voyage and a safe return. 



Very respectfully, William Windom, 



Secretary of the Treasury. 



The Corwin sailed from San Francisco May 4th, officered as follows : 



Captain, C. L. Hooper, Boston; ist Lieutenant, W. J. Herring, New York; 

 2nd Lieutenant, E. Burke, Milwaukee ; 3rd Lieutenant, O. B. Myrick, Boston ; 

 3rd Lieutenant, George H. Doty, New York; 3rd Lieutenant, Willi im E. Rey- 

 nolds, Washington; Chief Engineer, James T. Wayson, Baltimore; ist Assistant 

 Engineer, Charles A. Lawes, Philadelphia ; 2nd Assistant Engineer, Frederik E. 

 Owen, Oswego, N. Y.; Surgeon, I. C. Rosse, Washington. 



She is provisioned for a nine month's cruise, but if Captain Hooper decides 

 to winter in the Arctic he will be furnished with additional supplies by the Alaska 

 Commercial Company. 



The Corwin reached Ounalaska, May 17th, and sailed thence for the Arctic, 

 after making a few needed repairs. May 22 nd. 



THE RODGERS OR JEANNETTE SEARCH EXPEDITION. 



The bill making appropriations for Sundry Civil Expenses of the Govern- 

 ment, for the fiscal year ending, June 30, 1882, contained the following clause : 



To enable the Secretary of the Navy to immediately charter or purchase, 

 equip, and supply a vessel for the prosecution of a search for the steamer Jean- 

 nette of the Arctic Exploring Expedition (which the Secretary of the Navy is 



