June 14, 1858.] 
LETTER OF PROFESSOR BACHE. 
361 
estimation when we can fix a geographical position from astronomical sources. 
Professor Bache’s letter suggests a point as the farthest limit of Morton’s 
journey, which differs so slightly from the conclusions we have arrived at, that 
there is no necessity to raise a discussion about it. But I should like once 
more to pay a tribute to the memory of that noble man who we may almost 
say sacrificed his life in order to rescue our fellow-countrymen (hear, hear) ; 
and I am sure you will all join me in this mark of respect to Dr. Kane. 
The President. — I would observe that the remarks had reference only to 
the supposed imperfect observations of Morton, the steward. The whole 
question turned upon that point, and had no reference to what Dr. Kane 
himself had observed. I ought to have mentioned that, in consequence of 
the inaccurate report in the newspaper, the Geographical Society of New York 
passed a resolution instructiug Mr. John Jay, their Foreign Corresponding 
Secretary, to ask this Society to favour them with a copy of Dr. Pink’s 
paper, and also of the remarks of the gentlemen who took part in the dis- 
cussion. 
Now, as Mr. Poor is present, I can assure him that he will obtain the fullest 
explanations from the gentlemen who did speak on that occasion, as well as a 
copy of the paper that was read ; and I hope that he will return to his own 
country with the assurance that there was nothing said or imagined which 
in any way reflected on the truthfulness and ability of Dr. Kane. 
Professor J. H. Alexander, of the United States. — It was only a few 
moments ago I was made aware that this subject was coming up. Therefore, 
I am not acquainted with the facts except as they have been mentioned to the 
meeting. I can only say as an American, in which character you, Sir, have done 
me the honour to call upon me, that the expressions of Professor Bache, the 
hereditary friend of Dr. Kane, as I may he claimed also to he myself, seem to 
me to cover the whole question. In the first place, it should he home in mind 
that Dr. Kane was not an astronomer and geographer hy profession, hut a 
physician in the United States navy. The impulse of his own feelings and love 
for science carried him in this direction, after having led him first very far south 
in Mexico, where he made explorations which did not yield in adventure and 
interest to his voyage to the Arctic regions. The same impulse hore him to 
the north, hut without the precise technical education which would make his 
observations entirely reliable. Therefore, if he did make a mistake as to a 
distance of a few miles, I do not think it a matter of very great import- 
ance. The great merit of Dr. Kane — the merit which we as Americans prin- 
cipally recognise — is the animus, the disposition he showed (hear, hear), and the 
great general results he gave us in extending our knowledge of the geography 
of that great Arctic region. Further than that, I would say it appears to me, 
as a man of science, in which character you have also referred to me, though 
I have very small claim to it, and at most can only ask to he considered as a 
lover of science, that the claims of science are not hounded hy any country. 
Science requires precision when she comes to details and observations, whether 
made hy Americans or Englishmen. Therefore I am happy to see that, after 
the judicious and fair sifting which these observations of Dr. Kane have 
undergone, no greater error has been discovered, so that any of us, should we 
be inclined to transport ourselves to those inhospitable regions, may now 
rely upon being never out of our reckoning more than a few miles. 
I think, finally, that there is every reason, on the part of Americans, 
for being more than satisfied with the just and kind manner in which your 
Society has treated the whole affair. 
The President. — I ought lastly to mention, to the honour of our kinsmen 
on the other side of the Atlantic, that, not content with having done so much 
in the search after Franklin, they now, on the proposal of Dr. Hayes, the 
companion of Kane, contemplate a further expedition to ascertain whether 
