The New York herald., 1873-05-11
CAPTAIN HALLS INSTRUCTIONS.
Secretary RObeson's Letter or Instruc-
tiOns to the Leader OF the Polaris Ex-
pedition In 1871.

Secretary ROOcSOn'S Letter OF InstruC.
tions to the Leader OF the Polaris Ex-
pedition In 1871.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, June Q. 1871.
sIR-Having been appointed by the President OF
the United states commander of the expedition
toward the North Pole, and the steamer Polaris
having been fitted, equipped, provsioned and as
signed for the purpose, you are placed in command
OF the said vessel, her officers and crew, for the
purposes of the said expedition. Having taken
command, you will proceed in the vessel at the
earliest possible date from the Navy Yard in this
city to New York. From New York you will pro-
ceed to the first favorable port you are able to
make on the west coast Of Greenland, stopping II
you deem 1t desirable, at st. John, Newfoundland.
Prom the first port made by you on the west
coast Of Greenland, II further south than
Holsteinborg, you Will proceed to that port and
thence to Godhavn Tor Lively, In the island OF
Disco. At some one of the ports above referred to
you will probably meet transport sent by the
department. with additional coal and stores. from
which you will supply yourself to the fullest carry
ing capacity Of the Polaris. Should you fall in
with the transport before making either Of the
ports aforesaid, or should you obtain information
OF her being at, or having landed her stores at,
any port south OF the island Of Disco you viii ar
once proceed to put yourself in communication
yourself with the additional stores and COAL taking
such measures as may be most expedient and con-
venient for that purpose. Should you not hear OF
viii remain at that port, waiting for her and your
supplies as long as the object OF your expedition
viii permit you to delay for that purpose. After
waiting as long as Is safe, under all the crcnm
stances as they may present themselves, you will,
If you do not hear Of the transport,
PROCEED TO DISCO,
as above provided At Disco II you hear nothing
OF the transport. you win, after waiting as long as
you deem II safe supply yourself as far as you may
be able, with such supplies and articles as you may
need, and proceed on your expedition without fur
ther delay. From Disco you will proceed to Uper.
navik. At these two last-named places you VIII
procure dogs and other Arctic outfits. nyou think
1t Of advantage for the purpose OF obtaining dogs
&C. to stop at Tossak, you will do 80. From Uper-
navlk or Tossak, as the case may be, you will pro-
coed across Melville Bay to Cape Dudley Digges,
and thence you wiz make all possible progress,
Ssa North 'isss Poe usns Ss your S%
ne @ locality for ssss w winters quarters M sns
for for that peTod but, should the object Of the ex
tons to such further length Of time as your sup
plies may be safely extended. Should, however
The main object OF the expedition attaining
the position OF the North P0e-De accomplished at
an earlier period, you will return to the United
states with all convenient despatch.
THE SCIENTIFIC DEPARTMENT..
There being attached to the expedition scien-
t1c department., ITS operations are prescribed in
accordance with the advice OF the National Acad-
emy OF Sciences, as required by the law. Agreeably
to this advice the charge and direction Of the sce-
tinc operations will be entrusted, under your COM
mand, to Dr. Emil Besse; and you will render
Dr. Besse and his assistants all such facilities
and aids as may be In your power to carry into
effect the said further advice, as given in the
instructions herewith furnished In cemmunca-
tion from the President OF the National Academy
OF Sciences. 1t is, however important that objects
OF natural history, ethnology, &c, &C., which may
be collected by any person attached TO the expedi
ti0n shall be delivered to the chief Of the scientific
department, to be cared for by him, under your
direction, and considered the property Of the gov.
ernment and every person be strictly prohibited
every qualified person in tho expedition to keep q
private journal OF the progress OF the expedition