Arctic Exploration—Hayes Expedition. 53 
Sept. If successful in this endeavor, we shall have abundant time to 
secure a convenient harbor on the coast of Grinnell’s Land. You are 
already aware that I anticipate (from observations made by myself upon 
bs WA eas in 1854) reaching Cape Frazer, lat. f ‘ meg 42 — 
e I propose spending the winter. <A lower, ho 
will ae one within practicable reach of my "a oa field. of spies 
tion, If the condition of the ice will permit, I will immediately—after 
a winter harbor has been selected—carry forward the boat which I intend 
using for next summer’s labors, and some provisions, as far north pos- 
sible, and then leave them, secured against the bears, and return to the 
schooner after the winter has firmly set the ice. Early next sil we 
shall push forward advance depots, and should we find either ice or water, 
we shall endeavor to accomplish with boats or sledges, or with both, the 
chief object of the voyage before the close of the summer. If this for- 
tune awaits us, we shall then return home without unnecessary delay. I 
do not, however, anticipate this result, but I expect that we shall be de- 
tained two winters. 
I shall endeavor by every means to avoid a third year’s absence. We 
carry with us, however, food and fuel for that period, and in the event of 
our being so long detained I do not fear adverse open With the fresh 
supplies we have on board I believe we can resist the scurvy. 
I am informed by Governor Hanson that the ehelinge fleet did not 
‘succeed i in passing Melville Bay this year, but you are aware of the fact 
that after a certain period it would useless for them to succeed ; August 
is the most open month of the yea 
I shall however avoid every dies risk of being caught by the 
winter in the middle of the ice. Should the prospects of success a 
to be peculiarly epi [shall return southward and winter at one 
of the Danish settlem 
ys zips on eg this last sup of 
ane ish a a veel well sit forte sew, r Be 
P aie es 
mae Bay) Lee 
