ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 337 



to the westward, I deemed it my duty to proceed to its discovery, not 

 doubting that if my opinions of its existence were correct, a place 

 equally feasible for landing would be found. Another subject also 

 presented itself, which, for a time, caused me some anxiety, and 

 which I confess was not only unexpected by me, but directly at 

 variance with my own observations on the condition of my crew. As 

 I feel compelled to give a complete detail of our proceedings, I must 

 now revert, to this subject. 



The following report of the medical officers of the ship was made 

 to me on the day of its date. 



U. S. Ship Vincennes, 



At Sea, January 31st, 1840. 



Sir, 



It becomes our duty, as medical officers of this ship, to report to 

 you in writing the condition of the crew at the present time. 



The number upon the list this morning is fifteen : most of these 

 cases are consequent upon the extreme hardships and exposure they 

 have undergone during the last gales of wind, when the ship has 

 been surrounded with ice. 



This number is not large, but it is necessary to state, that the gene- 

 ral health of the crew, in our opinion, is decidedly affected, and that 

 under ordinary circumstances the list would be very much increased, 

 while the men under the present exigencies, actuated by a laudable 

 desire to do their duty to the last, refrain from presenting themselves 

 as applicants for the list. 



Under these circumstances, we feel ourselves obliged to report that, 

 in our opinion, a few days more of such exposure as they have 

 already undergone, would reduce the number of the crew by sickness 

 to such an extent as to hazard the safety of the ship and the lives of 

 all on board. 



Very respectfully, your obedient servants, 



(Signed) J. L. Fox, 



Assistant Surgeon. 



J. S. Whittle, 



Assistant Surgeon. 



To Charles Wilkes, Esq., 



Commanding Exploring Expedition. 



Although my own opinion, as I have stated, differed from that 



vol. 11. 85 



