CHARLES FRANCIS HALL AND JONES SOUND 
The accom})an\nng letter — one of the last written by Hall, the 
distinguished Arctic ex})lorer — is of marked interest, botli per- 
sonal and historic, and its publication, in view of the continued 
efforts of Mr Robert Stein to stimulate Arctic exploration from 
a safe base station on the shores of Jones sound, is peculiarly 
timely. The letter, addressed to Mr Henry Gannett, then of 
Harvard College observatoiy, was in connection with the position 
of astronomer to Hall’s expedition, which Mr Gannett declined. 
It will be recalled that Hall’s instructions of June 10. 1871, left 
his route open to his own choice. Admiral Davis, in his official 
narrative of the expedition, says that Hall wrote Brevoort and 
Grinnell, in January, 1870, that his route would be via Jones 
sound, but adds: “He found occasion to change this opinion 
before leaving the United States.” As no ])Ossil)le information 
as to either route could have reached Hall, Davis’ narrative has 
been held to indicate indecision on the part of Hall. 
This letter, dated just one month before he left Washington, 
shows Hall setting forth in detail his plans for exploration via 
Jones sound, and confirms the belief, held by most Arctic men 
in this country, that his success via Smith sound was due to his 
good judgment in taking advantage of the ice conditions, which 
were found to he especiall}’’ favorable toward Smith sound on his 
passing cape York. 
It may be added that the discoveries inade on the west coast 
of Grinnell Land by Nares’ expedition in 1876 and Greely’s in 
1882-’83 prove that no success that Hall could possibly have 
attained via Jones sound would have equaled that resulting from 
his excellent judgment in availing himself of the open sea toward 
Smith sound, instead of attempting the distant and unknown ice 
of the route he originally proposed to take. A. W. G. 
WAsiirNGTON, D. C., May 10, 1871. 
The scientific corps will be small -to consist of onl_v two or three. Dr 
Emil Bessels, who has lately arrived from Heidelburg, Germany, is with 
me. He is engaged as naturalist and photographer, and will most likely 
he the surgeon. He comes strongly endorsed by Dr Peterman, of Gotha, 
Germany, the most distinguished geographer of the world. 
The great object of the expedition now fitting ont here at the navy yard 
is to make geographical discoveries from about latitude 80° north up to the 
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