No, I. APPENDIX.' 355 



rities as those whose opinions are on record in your 

 Lordship's hands, and by the hearty sympathy of many 

 more. 



But before I take upon myself so heavy an obliga- 

 tion, it is my bounden duty to entreat Her Majesty's 

 Government not to disregard the argiiments which 

 have led so many competent and honourable men to 

 feel that our country's honour is not satisfied, whilst a 

 mystery which has excited the sympathy of the civilised 

 world remains uncleared. Nor less would I entreat you 

 to consider what must be the unsatisfactory conse- 

 quences, if any endeavours should be made to quench 

 all further efforts for this object. 



It cannot be that -this long-vexed question would 

 thereby be set at rest, for it would still be true that in 

 a certain circumscribed area within the Arctic circle, 

 approachable alike from the east and from the west, 

 and sure to be attained by a combination of both move- 

 ments, lies the solution of our unhappy countrymen's 

 fate. While such is the case, the question will never 

 die. I believe that again and again would efforts be 

 made to reach that spot, and that the Government 

 could not look on as unconcerned spectators, nor be 

 relieved in public opinion of the responsibility they had 

 prematurely cast off. 



But I refrain from pursuing this argument, though, 

 if any illustration were wanting of its truth, I think it 

 might be found in the events that are passing before 

 our eyes. 



It is now about two years ago that one of Her 

 Majesty's Arctic ships was abandoned in the ice. In 

 due time this ship floated away, was picked up by an 

 American whaler, carried into an American port, and 

 (all property in her having been relinquished by the 

 Admiralty) was purchased of her rescuers by the 

 American Government, by whom she has been lavishly 

 re-equipped, and is now on her passage to England, a 



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