APPENDIX. 
711 
the evidence, which has appeared before them; and, supported 
by the opinions of Capt. Beaufort, hydrographer to the Admi¬ 
ralty, of Mr. Children, one of the secretaries of the Royal 
Society, and of Professor Barlow, who has made the magnetic 
variations his particular study, they see no reason to doubt that 
Capt. Ross nearly approached, and that Commander Ross ac¬ 
tually reached the magnetic pole. 
The importance, especially to a maritime nation, of this 
discovery, and of the observations connected with magnetic 
science, arising thereout, is most highly estimated by the scien¬ 
tific witnesses, who have been examined, and it is further 
attested by the zeal, with which this branch of science has been 
of late pursued by eminent men in every country, and by the 
expense, which several foreign governments have of late years 
incurred for the same object. 
Under these circumstances your committee can have no 
hesitation in reporting, that a great public service has been 
performed. Independently of the demonstration, that one pas¬ 
sage, which had been considered by preceding navigators to be 
one of the most likely to lead from the Atlantic to the Pacific 
Ocean, does not exist, thus narrowing the field for future expe¬ 
ditions, if such should ever be undertaken ; independently of 
the addition of between six and seven hundred miles of coast to 
our geographical knowledge, and of the valuable additions to 
magnetic science and meteorology, which this expedition will 
supply, your committee cannot overlook the public service, 
which is rendered to a maritime country, especially in time of 
peace, by deeds of daring enterprize and patient endurance of 
hardship, which excite the public sympathy, and enlist the 
general feeling in favour of maritime adventure. Of this result 
they have strong evidence in the national subscription, which 
furnished the funds for the expedition of Capt. Back, in search of 
Capt. Ross and his gallant party, to which the Government also 
contributed two thousand pounds. 
To the importance of these considerations, your committee 
are happy to have to report that his majesty’s government has 
not been insensible. Although Capt. Ross’ expedition was un- 
