i 
 
 
 ! IM/dii' 
 
 Wimi'IIY oi linffi 
 U I 
 
 PEARY’S DISCOVERY OF 
 THE NORTH POLE 
 
 For the verdict of the National Geographic Society which passed upon 
 the report of these distinguished Americans has been accepted without 
 question by the Royal Geographical Society of London, the geographical 
 societies of Berlin, Paris, Geneva, Rome, Brussels, Antwerp, Vienna, 
 Dresden, Madrid, St. Petersburg, Tokyo, Mexico, Lima (Peru), the 
 geographical societies of Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia, and 
 practically every geographical society in the world. 
 
 SPEECH 
 
 OF 
 
 HON. J. HAMPTON MOORE 
 
 OF PENNSYLVANIA 
 
 IN THE 
 
 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
 
 ^lARCK 33, 1910 
 
 
 
 * 
 
 
 34239—8852 
 
 WASHINGTON 
 
 1910 
 
HON 
 
 SPEECH 
 
 OF 
 
 . J. HAMPTON MOORE, 
 
 OF PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Mr. MOORE of Pennsylvania said: 
 
 Mr. Speaker : It is my purpose to lay before the House 
 certain information with regard to the discovery of the North 
 Pole by Robert E. Peary, an American. I have taken care to 
 group this information, so that it may be at the service of the 
 House when the question comes before it of according recogni¬ 
 tion to this distinguished naval officer who has outclassed all 
 other nations in the world’s greatest achievement in explora¬ 
 tion. 
 
 It has" been contended by those who have disputed the pro¬ 
 priety of recognizing Mr. Peary that his various voyages of 
 discovery were without the sanction of the Government of the 
 United States; that they were voluntary; and that no advan¬ 
 tage has come to the Government by reason of them. That 
 Mr. Peary, who now ranks in the navy of the United States as 
 a civil engineer, should be advanced to the rank of rear-admiral 
 of the line in the navy is also regarded with some concern, if 
 not with direct opposition, upon the part of those officers of the 
 navy who look forward to promotion to the rank of rear- 
 admiral as the result of their training at the Naval Academy 
 at Annapolis and by reason of their duties to the Government 
 in pursuance of that training. At the outset it is to be ad¬ 
 mitted that the sudden advancement of a civil engineer, who 
 has not been educated under the auspices of the Government, 
 but whose education has been otherwise acquired, would pro¬ 
 voke discussion as between those who are fortunate enough to 
 acquire what may be regarded as a higher education at the 
 expense of the Government and those who are privately taught 
 or who fairly come under the classification of “ self-made men.” 
 
 But if we are to acknowledge in the Congress of the United 
 States that honors and rewards for faithful service to the coun¬ 
 try, or for extraordinary achievements, are to go only to those 
 of the more fortunate of our public servants, we are at once to 
 belie the much-bruited boast of American spirit and spunk which 
 in so many instances, in war and in peace, have produced great 
 men and sealed important events to the honor and the glory of 
 our flag. 
 
 STATUS OF THE CIVIL ENGINEER. 
 
 It is unfortunate that this question should have been raised 
 in the present instance, but it is a fact, nevertheless, that Mr. 
 Peary, a civil engineer of the Navy of the United States, is very 
 largely the victim of an hereditary prejudice which would deny 
 him promotion because he is not of the line of the navy and is 
 not, therefore, to be invested with that sanctity and exclusive¬ 
 ness of recognition which is claimed to be the portion only of 
 specially taught men. It seems to matter not that civil engineer 
 though he was, and still is, he fitted out and conducted no less 
 than eight expeditions into unknown lands and dangerous seas, 
 all of them with the permission of the Government, though only 
 9 34239—8852 
 
WO'Z 
 
 3 
 
 % one of them—the last and successful one—under the authority 
 and direction of the Government. The consummation of the 
 efforts of twenty-three-years of Mr. Peary’s best and most self- 
 sacrificing endeavors, a consummation for which the daring ex¬ 
 plorers of other nations had vainly sought—the actual discov¬ 
 ery of the North Pole—a consummation which enabled the 
 s v United States of America to proudly point to its own colors, the 
 ,Stars and Stripes, attaining heights which rival nations were 
 unable to attain, seems not to have made any difference in the 
 case of the American civil engineer who had been the personifi¬ 
 cation of it all. On the contrary, rather than yield to him the 
 laurels that another nation would have proudly bestowed upon 
 its own, he has since been treated with that derision and lack 
 of respect which at once reflects upon the gratitude of a people 
 and serves to curb the incentive of ambitious American youth. 
 
 It is because I believe a great wrong is being done to an 
 American citizen and an officer of the American Navy whose 
 personal privations, sacrifices, and victories have been no less 
 than those of a triumphant general upon the battlefield, or of a 
 gallant commander of the sea, that I submit to Congress these 
 actual records with regard to Mr. Peary and his work. 
 
 THE FATE OF COLUMBUS. 
 
 It is charged that Peary did not reach the pole. Who makes 
 that charge, and why? A relative of one of the crew of the 
 last expedition fulminates through the newspapers. An anony¬ 
 mous letter writer suggests that Peary threw stones at windows 
 when he was a boy in Maine. Some one else complains that 
 sometime during the period of twenty-three years of effort in 
 raising money, employing men, and carrying on his perilous 
 expeditions, Peary had disputes with somebody concerning 
 something. It is said by someone that he borrowed money and 
 incurred obligations to fit out ships, and that somebody during 
 the long period of twenty-three years had differences with him 
 as to details of management. 
 
 I assume that Peary had his troubles, and I believe that 
 every schoolboy will recall that Christopher Columbus, the dis¬ 
 coverer of America, had his. For centuries there has been a 
 well-founded rumor that the Queen of Spain disposed of some 
 of her jewels in order that Columbus might fit out his expedi¬ 
 tion. Doubtless Peary, a “ civil engineer,” striving for the 
 North Pole while “ on leave pay,” and with that as his only 
 government aid to support himself and family, was compelled 
 to beg and to borrow money in order to fit out ships to sail into 
 unknown seas. The fate of Columbus, as it has been handed 
 down to us, is ominous, and yet it is to be hoped that an Ameri¬ 
 can Congress duly informed will not permit the ingratitude of 
 a foreign nation to its son of greatest celebrity, to find its 
 counterpart in the land of the Stars and Stripes. 
 
 DISCIPLINE INDISPENSIBLE. 
 
 But some one arises to say that Peary was a disciplinarian, 
 and that he was harsh to his men. If the opinion of any dis¬ 
 tinguished general of the army, or-of any commander of the 
 navy, were to be asked as to the wisdom of discipline and au¬ 
 thority on an expedition involving danger, pray what would his 
 answer be? With a small crew housed in one small ship for a 
 period extending into the years, far from civilization, and with¬ 
 out the means of modern communication, pray how is success 
 34239—8852 
 
4 
 
 to be achieved where every man is a general? Is it to be pre¬ 
 sumed that discipline is to be waived upon a voyage of arctic 
 research where the lives of the men are absolutely in the keep¬ 
 ing of the commander any more than upon the battlefield where 
 the last desperate fight is being fought, or upon the high seas 
 where the colors are about to fall? 
 
 In the long record of twenty-three years of arctic exploration, 
 the commander of eight expeditions, Mr. Peary, with an ability, 
 with a knowledge of conditions, with a will power suited to 
 emergency, so administered the affairs of his men that but 
 two fatalities occurred, both accidental drownings. If there 
 be any who for personal reasons, whether financial or other¬ 
 wise, find fault with Mr. Peary upon this score, let them under¬ 
 take to perfect and conduct an expedition upon such plans and 
 theories as they themselves may devise. Some glory, some 
 credit has accrued during the last three hundred years to the 
 exploration of Hendrick Hudson, and yet the fate of Hendrick 
 Hudson, cast adrift by his mutinous crew in arctic waters, is a 
 fair illustration of the dangers that confront the captains of 
 the sea who lose control of their men. 
 
 At this time, Mr. Speaker, I shall not proceed further with 
 this line of thought than to say that Mr. Peary’s explorations, 
 costly as they were to him and to his friends, drawing upon the 
 best years of his life, were not without their personal inflictions, 
 for apart from the years of suffering, of peril and privation in 
 unknown icy wilds, his leg was broken, his feet were frozen 
 (he is minus eight toes), and the scars that he bears to-day 
 are as painful and as honorable as though they had come from 
 the rifle or the sabre. 
 
 GOVERNMENT PAY AND PRIVATE FUNDS. 
 
 But, Mr. Speaker, the question for this Congress to consider 
 when the Committee on Naval Affairs shall have reported upon 
 any one of the bills now before it is whether, in view of his 
 one last and successful expedition, Mr. Peary is entitled to the 
 grateful recognition of his countrymen. It has been said he 
 ■was in the pay of the Government during the conduct of every 
 expedition, and that he was simply performing his duty as an 
 officer of the civil branch of the navy. I will present some data 
 as to that. It has also been said that his various expeditions 
 were at private expense and that his reports were not made to 
 the Government of the United States, but were submitted to as¬ 
 sociations the purpose of which was to add to our common geo¬ 
 graphic knowledge. I have already indicated that the Govern¬ 
 ment paid nothing, absolutely nothing, toward the outfitting of 
 any one of the Peary expeditions, not even that last successful 
 expedition upon which Peary was under the direct and positive 
 orders of the Government, save such “ leave of absence pay ” 
 as was conceded to him for the maintenance of his family dur¬ 
 ing his absence. And in passing I would say that if Peary is to 
 be discredited because he accepted “ leave of absence pay ” dur¬ 
 ing the period of those expeditions which he was conducting at 
 his own expense or that of his friends apart from the Govern¬ 
 ment, what is to be said of the attitude of the Government 
 which was party to his going, to the extent that it paid his 
 living expenses and yet refused to contribute a cent to the ex¬ 
 penses of the various expeditions, including the final and suc¬ 
 cessful one? How is the Government, through its Department 
 of the Navy, permitting Peary to continue his explorations at 
 34239—8S52 
 
5 
 
 the risk of his life and that of his men for twenty-three years, 
 granting him leave and allowing him “ leave pay,” to now deny 
 him fitting recognition when he returns at his own expense 
 and that of his friends, and lays the trophy he has won into the 
 very lap of the Government? 
 
 Mr. Speaker, the Government of the United States gave 
 Mr. Peary nothing to equip any one of his eight expeditions, 
 the cost of which aggregated hundreds of thousands of dollars. 
 The Government paid only the living expenses of the explorer, 
 and yet it acquiesced in his desire to accomplish something 
 that would redound to the glory of the Nation, and permitted 
 him to ask, to beg, for funds that he might place the Stars 
 and Stripes ahead of any other flag of the world. 
 
 A WAR OF THE PRESS. 
 
 Oh, he had to borrow; Mr. Speaker, he had to give notes; 
 he was obliged to make contracts; there was no other way to 
 obtain the money. And, if the truth be known, there would be 
 scant difference of opinion in this country to-day with regard 
 to his world achievement had it not been that in his desper¬ 
 ation, at the eleventh hour, when the time had come to move 
 the stout ship Roosevelt, he agreed for a contribution of $4,000 
 to send the first news of his discovery to certain papers. Here 
 is a chapter that may never be written; and yet if there had 
 not been proceedings to protect the contracts, proceedings to 
 uphold the copyright laws of this Nation, the patriotic pride 
 of the editors of this country would have placed Peary upon 
 a pedestal, and his return would have been greater than a 
 Roman triumph. But, Mr. Speaker, these are days of fierce 
 competition in the newspaper world. Men strive to outdo each 
 other to gratify the public taste for sensation that is fast be¬ 
 coming maudlin. The “ scoop ” is an institution familiar to 
 every enterprising publication of the land; to be “ scooped ” 
 in the publication of a story of such world-wide significance 
 as the discovery of the North Pole would be a crime in any 
 great newspaper office, punishable by the immediate discharge 
 of the man assigned to obtain it; but when newspapers gener¬ 
 ally, thousands of them, are “ scooped ” by a few, the imagina¬ 
 tive, the creative, the resourceful faculties of American writers 
 are readily available for means of defense. 
 
 In my humble judgment, Mr. Speaker, the good faith of 
 Peary to one of his contributors was liis undoing. Conscious 
 of his own long and untiring efforts to obtain the means to 
 proceed with his expedition, of the sufferings he had endured, 
 of the expectations of the plaudits of the’ people when he had 
 finally beaten through the barriers and won the goal, he was 
 indignant—what American, with red blood in his veins, would 
 not be—that 90,000,000 Americans and all the world beside 
 should be deceived by pretense and imposture. He spoke 
 quickly and. barring differences of opinion as to the parlia¬ 
 mentary method of his speaking, he told the truth; he sounded 
 the warning, and asked a suspension of judgment until the facts 
 could be told and fraud and deceit could be dethroned. 
 
 THE PUBLIC WANTED NEWS, AND GOT IT. 
 
 The American people gloried in Peary’s return; they awaited 
 his coming and the recital of his story ; neither they nor the great 
 newspaper craft had patience to await the unwinding of the 
 red tape associated with a governmental report; they wanted 
 34239—8852 
 
6 
 
 news, and they wanted Peary’s news. Unhappily for Peary 
 he kept his faith, and those in the newspaper world with whom 
 he kept his faith exercised the right of legal protection, leav¬ 
 ing open to the great mass of newspapers of the country such 
 information, such stories, as might come, and readily did come, 
 from another source. A world’s event was being recorded, and 
 the difficulties of a majority of the newspapers in obtaining 
 Peary’s news gave color and support to another fertile but 
 irresponsible medium, which spouted arctic yarns with won¬ 
 drous volubility. 
 
 Mr. Speaker, the newspaper profession is potential, and its 
 value under proper auspices is not to be disputed. But as 
 with most men in public life, so it is within the newspaper 
 world—hard to come down. A newspaper is not prone to re¬ 
 trace its steps, nor to make apologies for its utterances. It can 
 not afford to be fooled; but if it is fooled, it can not afford to 
 admit it. 
 
 Had some new Chatterton not entered the field with his 
 “ Itowley poems;” had some new Ireland with his “original” 
 Shakespeare manuscripts not attracted public attention; had 
 not the shades of the illustrious Barnum “scooped” the public 
 attention with his “ Cardiff Giant,” there would have been no 
 North Pole controversy in this country, save only as it related 
 to the single question whether an officer of the staff of the navy 
 should be advanced to the line. 
 
 With these observations, Mr. Speaker, I submit records 
 which may tend to remove, from the public mind at least, some 
 of the falsehoods and misrepresentation which have beclouded 
 the work of Mr. Peary. First of all, I present a summary of 
 Peary’s northern voyages, every one of which, it will be recalled, 
 was watched with interest and with pride by the American 
 people. These voyages began when Peary was a young man in 
 the navy, and were pursued with a persistency and determina¬ 
 tion in every way creditable to the American spirit: 
 
 MEMORANDUM OE PEARY’S NORTHERN VOYAGES. 
 
 1886. May to November ; about seven months : Penetrated 100 miles 
 on the inland ice of Greenland east of Disco Bay, about 70° N. lati¬ 
 tude ; altitude, 7,500 feet. 
 
 1S91-1892. June, 1S91, to September, 1892; about sixteen months: 
 Right leg broken on voyage north. E'ive-hundred-mile march out and 
 same distance back, across northern part of Greenland, discovering 
 Independence Bay on the northeastern coast. 
 
 1893-1S95. July, 1893, to September, 1895; about twenty-seven 
 months : Entire party except Peary and two men returned at end of 
 first year. Spring of 1895 Peary repeated the march across northern 
 end of Greenland and gained some miles beyond his farthest of 1892. 
 Discovered the great Cape York meteorites and brought the two smaller 
 ones back with him. 
 
 1896. July-October; about three months: Unsuccessful attempt to 
 bring home largest of the Cape York meteorites. 
 
 1897. July-October; about three months : Brought home largest of 
 the Cape York meteorites—the Ahnigito, the largest in the world—- 
 
 weighing about 90 tons. 
 
 1898-1902. July, 1898-October, 1902; about four years, three and a 
 half months: During this time made four separate attempts to get 
 north, resulting in the rounding of the northern end of Greenland and 
 the attainment of the latitude of 83.59° north of the extreme north¬ 
 ern point of Greenland ; also the attainment of the latitude of 84.17° 
 north of the northern point of Grant Land. All the instruments, rec¬ 
 ords, private papers of the Lady Franklin expedition at Fort Conger 
 brought home. 
 
 1905-1906. July, 1905-November, 1906; about seventeen months: 
 Highest north, 87° 6'. attained in this journey. 
 
 1908-1909. July, 1908-Septembcr, 1909; about fifteen months: At¬ 
 tainment of the pole. 
 
 34239—8852 
 
7 
 
 SUMMARY. 
 
 Eight voyages, six attempts to reach the pole, and some twelve 
 years spent inside the Arctic Circle. 
 
 Degrees 
 
 north 
 
 latitude. 
 
 1886 
 
 1892 
 
 1895 
 
 1899 
 
 1900 
 1902 
 1906 
 1909 
 
 69. 00 
 81. 35 
 81. 40 
 81. 50 
 
 83. 59 
 
 84. 17 
 87. 60 
 90. 00 
 
 EXPLORER COMPELLED TO RAISE FUNDS. 
 
 In connection with all voyages prior to the last one of 1908- 
 1909, it has been recklessly charged that Peary profited by the 
 result of his labors. It is not altogether surprising that a man 
 who writes for magazines or who delivers lectures should be 
 paid for it, and there is a mild suspicion that some men with 
 brains, literary attainments, scientific or special information, 
 actually do take advantage of their opportunities to make a 
 living in this w r ay; but in the case of Peary, I am advised that 
 all the money he was able to make by lectures, magazine arti¬ 
 cles, and the publication of books—all of which contributed to 
 the sum of human knowledge—went into the expenses of his 
 expeditions from which he was not released until about three 
 years ago. At that time he was still in debt personally to make 
 good obligations he had incurred in his venturous undertakings. 
 This applies particularly to the case of the Cape York meteor¬ 
 ites, concerning the sale of which there has been some criticism. 
 The expense of the three expeditions, resulting in the recovery 
 of these meteorites—the largest in the world—is said to have 
 been nearly or quite equal to the $40,000 that was received for 
 them. Meanwhile the work of exploration, of determining coast 
 lines, of making soundings and tidal observations, was going on 
 for the credit of the Government of the United States. Through 
 his persistency in raising money for these expeditions Peary was 
 enabled to make large contributions of material to the domain 
 of natural history. He made many soundings in new waters, 
 the most important of which was a line of soundings from Cape 
 Columbia to the North Pole. All of this work, apart from its 
 value to commerce, was distinctly naval work, as had been 
 authorized with the Rogers, the Alliance, the Yantic, all under 
 the command of naval officers; the ill-fated Jeannette and the 
 Wilkes expeditions to the Antarctic. 
 
 Peary’s ability as a # commander is thoroughly demonstrated 
 by the success of his various expeditions. Twice his ship was 
 driven through the ice to the highest point ever reached in the 
 Western Hemisphere and to a point higher than any ship has ever 
 attained under her own steam. Many other ships attempted 
 this same voyage, four of them accomplished part of it and two 
 were lost. As to hi§ work being civil and distinct from naval, 
 it may be observed that Peary’s bringing of the Roosevelt home 
 in the fall of 1906, fighting her way through the heavy arctic 
 ice, from Cape Union to Littleton Island and thence down along 
 the savage Baffin Land and Labrador coasts, encountering 
 storm after storm, with rudder and sternposts torn away, pro 
 pellers crippled, and pumps going constantly, has been charac¬ 
 terized as one of the ablest, most resourceful and courageous 
 34239—8852 
 
8 
 
 affairs of its kind in the annals of arctic exploration. Indeed, 
 it was the wonder of everyone who saw the ship when it was 
 taken out on the dry dock. 
 
 THE EXPEDITION THAT SUCCEEDED. 
 
 But as to the expedition that was successful, the expedition 
 of 1908-9’, resulting in the discovery of the Pole. In the light 
 of the records, divested of all the bitterness and contention 
 and misrepresentation that have been aroused with regard to 
 Peary, it would seem that officially there could be no possible 
 foundation for a refusal to acknowledge the work of this 
 American discoverer. He fitted out this last great expedition 
 at his own expense and that of his friends, and was then 
 granted leave of absence by the Navy Department, taking with 
 him instructions which gave him an unqualified official connec¬ 
 tion with the Government and which would seem to leave no 
 excuse for further denying him recognition. 
 
 Here, first of all, are the orders of the Acting Secretary of 
 the Navy, approved by the President of the United States: 
 
 Navy Department, 
 
 Washington, July 2, 1908. 
 
 Sir : The unexpired portion of the leave of absence for a period of 
 three years granted you in the department's letter of April 9, 1907, is 
 hereby revoked. 
 
 Report by letter to the Chief of the Coast and Geodetic Survey for 
 instruction in making tidal observations along Grant Land and Green¬ 
 land shores of the polar seas. 
 
 Respectfully, Truman H. Newberry, 
 
 Acting Secretary. 
 
 Civil Engineer Robert E. Peary, 
 
 United States Navy, South Harp swell. Me. 
 
 The White House, July 6, 1908. 
 
 Approved. 
 
 T. Roosevelt, President. 
 
 Received July 11, 1908, 5 p. m. 
 
 R. E. P. 
 
 sanctioned by the president. 
 
 On the following day the President of the United States in¬ 
 structed the Secretary of Commerce and Labor as to the duties 
 to which Mr. Peary was to be assigned, as follows: 
 
 Oyster Bay, N. Y., July 3, 1908. 
 
 Sir : Civil Engineer R. E. Peary, United States Navy, has been di¬ 
 rected by the Navy Department to report by letter to the Superintendent 
 of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, and you are requested 
 to direct this official to order him to make tidal observations along the 
 Grant Land dnd Greenland shore of the polar sea during his projected 
 cruise in the Roosevelt. 
 
 It is believed that such observations will throw light upon the 
 Coast Survey theory of the existence of a considerable land mass in the 
 unknown area of the Arctic Ocean. « 
 
 Respectfully, Theodore Roosevelt. 
 
 Hon. Oscar S. Straus, 
 
 Secretary of Commerce and Labor. 
 
 PEARY ARCTIC CLUB COOPERATES. 
 
 In chronological order I now submit certain telegrams, let¬ 
 ters, orders, and correspondence which clearly show govern¬ 
 mental approval of the work of Civil Engineer Peary in con¬ 
 ducting an expedition toward which it was making no contribu¬ 
 tion whatever, except the salary of Mr. Peary, and of its official 
 appreciation of the reports made and the information concern¬ 
 ing new geographical fields, presented by him. It will be ob¬ 
 served that the Peary Arctic Club, which had helped to finance 
 the expedition, figures in this correspondence. The excuse for 
 this, if it be necessary to make an excuse, lies in the fact that 
 34239—8852 
 
9 
 
 the Government paid nothing toward the expedition and that 
 the Peary Arctic Club did. It is therefore quite natural that 
 the Peary Arctic Club should expect to share in some of the 
 information which Peary was to obtain, although it can not be 
 denied that Peary followed his instructions; di^Lreport to the 
 Coast and Geodetic Survey, and that his reports Avere entirely 
 satisfactory. Reference is made particularly to the letter of 
 the Secretary of the Navy, under date of October 5, 1909, re¬ 
 questing the Department of Commerce and Labor to forward to 
 the Hydrographic Office— 
 
 The results cf the late expedition carried on by Civil Engineer Robert 
 E. Peary, United States Navy, under the auspices of the Peary Arctic 
 Club— 
 
 It being stated by the Secretary of the Navy in this letter 
 that the Government for many years had— 
 
 issued through the Hydrographic Office under this department a chart 
 of the Arctic Ocean, showing the tracks of search parties and the prog¬ 
 ress of discovery. 
 
 Attention is also called to the letter of the Acting Secretary 
 of the Department of Commerce and Labor, certifying, under 
 date of January 15, 1910, that Mr. Peary— 
 
 has submitted to that bureau (Coast and Geodetic Survey) the records 
 of the tidal observations made by him in the Arctics by order of Presi¬ 
 dent Roosevelt—- 
 
 And that— 
 
 these observations are reported to have been thoroughly made and are 
 satisfactory and of great value. 
 
 [Telegram.] 
 
 New York, July 2, IMS. 
 
 Assistant Superintendent Perktns, 
 
 United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, 
 
 Washington, D. C.: 
 
 I have information that you may be authorized to give me instruc¬ 
 tion concerning tidal observations north coast Grant Land and Green¬ 
 land. Will two or three days’ personal instruction at your office be de¬ 
 sirable for my assistants. Kindly wire. 
 
 R. E. Peary. 
 
 ^REPORTED TO SECRETARY OF COMMERCE AND LABOR. 
 
 Department of Commerce and Labor, 
 
 Office of the Secretary, 
 
 Washington, July 1, 1008. 
 
 Sir : I have the honor to state that in response to the directions 
 issued to the Navy Department, Civil Engineer R. E. Peary, United 
 States Navy, called in person at the office of the Coast and Geodetic 
 Survey and informed himself fully of the views and requirements of 
 that office in regard to tidal observations along the Grant Land and 
 Greenland shores of the polar sea, and expressed his intention to make 
 every effort to collect the desired information. 
 
 I have the honor to be, sir, 
 
 Your obedient servant, Oscar S. Straus, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 The President, Oyster Bay, N. Y. 
 
 Note : Commander Peary called at the Coast Survey Office on .Tune 
 18 and on July 8. Mr. McMillan reported and spent that day and the 
 morning of July 9 under the instruction of Doctor Harris. 
 
 Eagle Island, 
 
 South Harpswell, Me., July 12, 1908. 
 
 Sir : In compliance with orders of the Navy Department, copy of 
 which I inclose, I beg herewith to report to you for instructions in 
 making tidal observations along Grant Land and Greenland shores of 
 the polar seas. 
 
 Very respectfully, R. E. Peary, 
 
 Civil Engineer, United States Navy. 
 
 Chief of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, 
 
 Washington, D. O. 
 
 34239—8852 
 
10 
 
 COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY ADVISED. 
 
 Eagle Island, 
 
 South Harps well. Me., July 12, 1908. 
 
 My Dear Mr. Tittmann : The orders, copy of which I inclose, were 
 received by me only last evening, having been sent from Washington to 
 South Harpswell, then to New York, then back here in pursuit of me. 
 
 Otherwise, ^should have reported to you sooner. 
 
 I am leaving here to-morrow morning, the 13th, for Sydney, and am 
 due there Tuesday evening, the 14th. 
 
 If the Roosevelt makes good time going east she will probably reach 
 Sydney Tuesday and depart Wednesday. 
 
 This would make mail communication from you impracticable, and I 
 beg to suggest that you wire me instructions and follow.these with writ¬ 
 ten instructions, which, in the event that I am delayed in leaving 
 Sydney, may reach me, or otherwise will be received and held by Mrs. 
 Peary. 
 
 With best regards to Mr. Perkins, Doctor Harris, and yourself, I am, 
 Very sincerely, 
 
 R. E. Peary. 
 
 Department of Commerce and Labor, 
 
 Coast and Geodetic Survey, 
 
 Washington, July lk, 1908. 
 
 Sir : Your letter of July 12, reporting for instructions in making 
 tidal observations along the Grant Land and Greenland shore of the 
 Polar Sea, has been this day duly received. 
 
 Detailed instructions were sent to you by Mr. McMillan on July 9, 
 1908. 
 
 Respectfully, O. H. Tittmann, 
 
 Superintendent. 
 
 Robert E. Peary, 
 
 Commander, United States Navy, Commanding 
 
 Steamer Roosevelt, Sydney, Nova Scotia. 
 
 detailed official instructions. 
 
 Department of Commerce and Labor, 
 
 Coast and Geodetic Survey, 
 
 Washington, July 9, 1908. 
 
 Sir : In pursuance of the orders of the President, transmitted through 
 the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, you will please have tidal ob¬ 
 servations made along the Grant Land and Greenland shore of the Polar 
 Sea during your projected cruise in the Roosevelt. 
 
 The following directions for observing tides in arctic regions will be 
 followed, as far as possible, by the observer. 
 
 Make hourly or half hourly readings of the height of the water’s sur¬ 
 face above a fixed datum by means of a fixed stall or other form of 
 gauge for periods varying from one day to one or more months at a sta¬ 
 tion according to circumstances. 
 
 Refer all observations extending over more than a few days to one 
 or more permanent bench marks upon the shore. 
 
 The kind of time should be distinctly specified. Wherever practicable, 
 the observations should extend through all twenty-four hours of the day. 
 
 If the observations continue only a day or two, they will be of greater 
 value if made near the time of greatest northern or southern decli¬ 
 nation of the moon. 
 
 At or near the following places observations are especially wanted: 
 
 Points as far northward as possible. 
 
 Points as far vrestward as possible. 
 
 Cape Columbia.® 
 
 Cape Sheridan.® 
 
 Cape Brevoort.® 
 
 Cape Bryant.® 
 
 Cape May. 
 
 Some point on northern coast of Ilazen Land. 
 
 Some point as far eastward as possible.® 
 
 Some point near the head of Greely Fiord. 
 
 Sketches of specimen gauges for arctic work and suggestions are given 
 in accompanying memoranda. The sketches are taken from the arctic 
 work of Hall, Greely, and Ziegler expeditions. 
 
 Further directions for observing tides are given in the blank books 
 for tidal records and in accompanying memoranda ; the latter are prac- 
 
 ® These four stations and Fort Conger occupied as tidal stations by 
 Peary. 
 
 34239—8852 
 
11 
 
 tically included in the introduction to the Coast Survey Tide Tables and 
 in Chapter I, Appendix No. 9, 1S97. 
 
 Respectfully, O. H. Tittmann, 
 
 Supe rintendent. 
 
 Robert E. Peary,, 
 
 Commander, United States Navy, Commanding 
 
 Steamer Roosevelt, Sydney, Nova Scotia. 
 
 Peary Arctic Club, North Polar Expedition, 1908, 
 
 Steamship Roosevelt, July 17, 1908, Sydney, N. S. 
 Sir : I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of July 14. 
 
 I beg to acknowledge also receipt o£ your instructions and those of 
 the Secretary of the Bureau of Commerce and Labor. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 R. E. Peary, 
 
 Civil Engineer, United States Navy. 
 
 Supt. O. H. Tittmann, 
 
 United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, 
 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
 the expedition starts. 
 
 Peary Arctic Club, North Polar Expedition, 1908, 
 
 S. S . Roosevelt, 8-17, 1908, 
 
 Etah, North Greenland, Lat. 78° 18' N. 
 
 Sir: I beg to report my arrival here August 11. Leaving Sydney 
 July 17, Cape York Bay was reached near midnight of July 31. 
 
 The voyage north across the Gulf of St. Lawrence was favorable, the 
 straits of Belle Isle were free of fog, rendering the passage easy, and 
 favoring weather was experienced along the Labrador coast, which was 
 followed as far as Turnavik Island, latitude 55° 18' N., with two inter¬ 
 mediate stops for whale meat. 
 
 From Turnavik a course was set for Greenland coast, and about 
 twelve hours of heavy weather ensued. After that the weather was 
 moderate again until midnight of Saturday, the 25th. Following this 
 were three days of strong northerly wind and sea, accompanied by rain 
 and fog, which rendered the negotiation of Davis Strait somewhat disa¬ 
 greeable and arduous. From Holsteinberg the weather was favorable 
 again, an energetic southerly wind of some hours’ duration off Turnavik 
 materially assisting us on our way. 
 
 Duck Islands were passed just before midnight of July 30, and Mel¬ 
 ville Bay entered in brilliant sunlit weather, with light air from the 
 north. 
 
 This weather held to the east side of Cape York Bay, which was 
 reached 11.30 p. m., July 31, no ice having been seen on the passage 
 across the bay. In fact, no ice has been seen in the entire voyage ex¬ 
 cept a narrow string of light, scattered ice off the Labrador coast the 
 evening of the 23d. 
 
 Heavy weather and an unusual swell held us here till early Sunday 
 morning, when the ship crossed to Cape York, latitude 75° 55' N. Here 
 I learned that the Erik had passed the day before, but was unable to 
 get into the settlement. Eskimos and dogs were taken on here and the 
 ship’s tanks filled with water from the glacier. We then steamed north 
 to North Star Bay, where I found the Erik. 
 
 Taking on more Eskimos and dogs here, the ships steamed in com¬ 
 pany to the northwest end of Northumberland Island, where I boarded 
 the Erik to visit the settlements at the head of Inglefiold Gulf, while 
 the Roosevelt proceeded direct to Etah to overhaul and trim ship for 
 the ice. 
 
 I rejoined the Roosevelt with the Erik late August 11, with addi¬ 
 tional Eskimos and dogs and some 35 walrus. All dogs were landed on 
 an island in Etah Fiord, the Roosevelt was coaled from the Erik, coal 
 landed for the return trip, and two men landed with supplies for the 
 relief of Doctor Cook. 
 
 The season has been an unusually cold and stormy one, with almost 
 continuous wind and frequent snow. 
 
 I have on board a good supply of Eskimos, dogs, and walrus meat. 
 All on board are well. I expect to steam north some time to-night. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 R. E. Peary, United States Navy. 
 
 Superintendent United States Coast 
 
 and Geodetic Survey, 
 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
 Similar report sent to honorable Secretary United States Navy. 
 
 34239—8852 
 
12 
 
 HARMONY OF UNDERSTANDING. 
 
 TJp to this point, Mr. Speaker, it has been impossible to 
 discern any lack of formality or courtesy as between Mr. 
 Peary and his superior officers with regard to his instructions 
 or his own desire to comply therewith. What the President 
 and the Navy Department wanted Mr. Peary to do is clearly 
 stated, and the detailed orders issued by the Superintendent of 
 the Coast and Geodetic Survey, under the instructions from the 
 Secretary of Commerce and Labor, are sufficiently explicit. 
 Mr. Peary is not told that he may not acquire information 
 over and above his instructions; that he may not make photo¬ 
 graphs; or that he may not take notes for his own personal use; 
 or write home to his w r ife the interesting adventures which are 
 evidently in store for him. What the department wanted and 
 what they instructed him to do is specifically stated, and no¬ 
 where in the correspondence that has been presented or that 
 is yet to come is there any suggestion that, so far as his re¬ 
 sponsibility to the Government was concerned, he did not live 
 up to the spirit and the letter of his instructions. And before 
 passing to the records and correspondence which followed the 
 announcement of the discovery of the North Pole, may it not 
 be fair to observe that those who have since criticised Mr. 
 Peary might fairly make allowances for that long period of 
 service in the polar regions, which enabled him to so adjust the 
 details of his undertaking from the study of the fogs and tides 
 and the acquisition of the peculiar supplies required for the 
 expedition, to the understanding of the Eskimo language and the 
 selection of Eskimo dogs, and such traveling paraphernalia as 
 would enable him in the last dash to the pole to exist at all, 
 let alone to carry the instruments of precision, the sounding 
 wire, and other material essential to the pursuit and determi¬ 
 nation of exact scientific knowledge? And if credit be given 
 him for this, and for the long nights and days of vigil, as of 
 hardship, may we not assume that he would be possessed of 
 new thoughts and new information wholly useless to the Gov¬ 
 ernment, and which might yet be wisely and justly applied to 
 the purposes of the Peary Arctic Club or to the public through 
 the magazines? I assume it was Peary’s purpose to collect 
 information over and above the scientific requirements of his 
 instructions, and I can not see how it can fairly be charged 
 that, having raised the money for his expedition through the 
 Peary Arctic Club and others, he or they can rightfully be 
 denied the proceeds of that information, his duties with the 
 Government having been duly and faithfully performed. 
 
 A HOPEFUL FAREWELL. 
 
 As showing the spirit that prevailed at the time of Peary’s 
 departure, when no difference of opinion seemed to exist as be¬ 
 tween the Government allowing “ leave-of-absenee pay ” on the 
 one hand, and the Peary Arctic Club bearing the expense of 
 the expedition upon the other, I introduce the following state¬ 
 ment from the New York Times. It speaks briefly of the diffi¬ 
 culty Peary had raising his expedition fund—a matter which 
 ought not to be lost sight of in the present controversy, 
 34239—8852 
 
13 
 
 Here is the article: 
 
 PEARY HAD DECIDED NOT TO TURN BACK-HE INTENDED TO REMAIN IN 
 
 THE POLAR REGIONS TILL HE REACHED HIS GOAL-HIS SHIP A STANCH 
 
 ONE-PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT BADE HIM FAREWELL-EARLY REPORTS 
 
 INDICATED THAT HE FOUND FAVORABLE CONDITIONS. 
 
 When Commander Robert E. Peary planned his latest and now suc¬ 
 cessful trip in search of the North Pole he announced that he would 
 remain in the polar regions until the pole had been reached. It was in 
 this frame of mind that he started out to raise enough money to equip 
 the expedition. 
 
 lie needed $50,000, and had considerable difficulty in getting it. He 
 put in all the money he had himself, and relied upon* popular subscrip¬ 
 tion and his friends to furnish the remainder. Zenas Crane, of Dalton, 
 Mass., gave $10,000, and others contributed liberally. Even when he 
 lacked half of the necessary amount Peary went ahead characteristically 
 to get his ship in order, feeling sure that the money would come. It 
 came, and when it did the explorer was all ready to weigh anchor and 
 proceed north. 
 
 The ship, the Roosevelt, which the Peary Arctic Club built for the 
 explorer for his journey north in 1905, was completely overhauled. 
 New engines and boilers were installed and many changes suggested 
 by the explorer’s previous experience carried out. The Roosevelt was 
 first launched in Bucksport, Me., on March 23, 1905. The designer was 
 William E. Winant, of New York, who worked from Peary’s own sug¬ 
 gestions. She is 182 feet in length, with a beam of 35.5 feet, a depth 
 of 16.3 feet, and a mean draft, with stores, of 17 feet. Her gross 
 tonnage is 614 and her estimated displacement about 1,500 tons. She 
 is a three-masted fore-and-aft schooner-rigged steamship. She was 
 built entirely of white oak, with treble frames close together, double 
 planked. Her walls are from 24 to 30 inches thick. The keel, 16 
 inches thick, is reinforced with false keels and keelson. Her heavy 
 bow is backed by 12 feet of solid deadwood. Her stern, reinforced 
 by iron, had a long overhand, to protect the rudder from the ice, but 
 the rudder itself was so arranged that it could be lifted out of the 
 water when jammed or entangled. 
 
 This, then, was the formidable ice ship that sailed, thoroughly stocked 
 for a three years’ stay in the north, from the foot of East Twenty- 
 fourth street on July 6, 1908, with a picked crew, every man determined 
 to follow their hardy commander to the ends of the earth. Forty 
 guests of the Peary Arctic Club escorted the ship as far as City Island, 
 and it then proceeded to Oyster Bay, where Mr. Peary had arranged 
 to have President Roosevelt inspect the boat. Just before leaving, Com¬ 
 mander Peary discussed his journey with the newspaper men. 
 
 “ I will not promise anything before I start.” he said, “ except that 
 I am going to put into it every bit of energy, moral, mental, and physi¬ 
 cal, that I possess. I feel confident that in any case I shall carry the 
 American flag farther north than ever. Unless the unforeseen happens 
 I shall plant the Stars and Stripes at the pole. If conditions are no 
 worse in the next season than they were during the last voyage I shall 
 hope to accomplish the object of the expedition and return in about 
 fifteen months—that is, in October, 1909. I am prepared, however, for 
 a stay of three years. 
 
 “ The attainment of the North and South poles by American expedi¬ 
 tions would be worth to this country many times the few thousands 
 expended just for the closer bond, the deeper patriotism, resulting 
 when every one of the hundred millions of us could say, ‘ The Stars 
 and Stripes float at both ends of the earth’s axis, and the whole earth 
 turns about them.’ ” 
 
 The scientific equipment which Commander Peary took with him on 
 his voyage was said at the time to be the most complete ever taken to 
 the polar regions. It consisted of all the instruments needed in 
 meteorological, astronomical, and tidal observations. 
 
 All the way to Oyster Bay the vessel got an ovation, and when it 
 reached there President Roosevelt, his wife, and family went on board 
 and inspected it. 
 
 “ Well, Peary, good-by, and may you have the best of luck,” said 
 President Roosevelt as he gave the explorer’s hand a hearfy grasp. 
 
 “ Thank you,” responded Peary with a smile. “ I never felt so con¬ 
 fident of success in all these years as I do now.” 
 
 The President expressed himself as being heartily pleased with 
 everything and everybody about the ship, and shook bands with all the 
 crew. Captain Bartlett, shaking hands with the President and bidding 
 him farewell, said, “ It's ninety or nothing ; the North Pole or bust this 
 time.” 
 
 The Roosevelt, leaving Oyster Bay on July 8, sailed as far as Sydney, 
 Cape Breton, without Commander Peary, who traveled there by train, 
 after returning to New York to arrange some final details of the trip. 
 
 34239—8852 
 
14 
 
 From time to time on his journey north Peary sent dispatches to 
 the New York Times telling of his progress. Writing from Hawkes 
 Harbor July 21 to the Times, he said : 
 
 “ The weather has been very favorable, the ship has behaved well, 
 and the crew and party appear to be of the right material. I have 
 found abundant whale meat here, and, in company with the Erik, we 
 start north to-day.” 
 
 In another letter to the Times of the same date the ambitious ex¬ 
 plorer outlined the plans for the conquest of the South Pole. 
 
 “ I believe in finishing the first cherry before making a bite at the 
 second,” he wrote. “ I have, however, felt for some time that the time 
 was nearly or quite ripe for this country to enter the arena of antarctic 
 exploration and endeavor to obtain its share of the honors and scien¬ 
 tific information yet awaiting the explorer in that region.” 
 
 He said that as far back as May 20, 1908 ; in a communication to 
 H. L. Bridgman, he had advocated the organization of an antarctic ex¬ 
 pedition, in which, however, he did not intend to take part. 
 
 A message received at the Arctic Club on September 25 told of the 
 Erik, the Roosevelt convoy, striking an iceberg off Etah, North Green¬ 
 land. The dispatch added that the Roosevelt had left Etah on August 
 17 and had reported that the prospects of getting far north were good. 
 The Erik was repaired at Turnavik Harbor and proceeded south. 
 
 On October 9 last, Henry Johnson, an able seaman of the Roosevelt, 
 arrived in New York from Greenland, bringing the first oral news of 
 the expedition. He returned because of an injury to his knee. He 
 brought a letter from Peary to the Arctic Club, telling of the progress 
 the ship had made, with photographs and other data. Johnson stated 
 that the Roosevelt was hit by a hurricane off the coast of Greenland 
 on July 29. It opened the seams of the ship’s bow to such an extent 
 that several of the crew felt her to be practically unseaworthy for a 
 rough voyage among icebergs. While she was being repaired at Etah, 
 Johnson said, her leaky bow caused apprehension among some of the 
 crew. When the Erik returned to St. Johns, however, her commander 
 reported that she had left the Roosevelt in good shape. 
 
 On August 11 the schooner Jeanie, purchased and equipped for a voyage 
 to Etah, Peary’s base station, left St. Johns, Newfoundland, with 50 
 tons of coal and a supply of provisions, under the command of Capt. 
 Samuel W. Bartlett, who has headed other Peary and several Canadian 
 government expeditions into the arctic. It was the Jeanie’s intention 
 to leave the coal at Etah, so that Peary could use it for the Roosevelt 
 when he returned from his dash to the pole. It was also the intention 
 of the promoters of the relief expedition to bring back Doctor Cook, 
 who was then thought to be lost, if he could be found in the arctic 
 wilds. 
 
 THE FIRST NEWS IMPARTED. 
 
 We now approach the period of Peary’s return. That another 
 explorer “scooped” the world in the announcement of the dis¬ 
 covery is well remembered. The pomp and parades following 
 the surprising arrival of Doctor Cook justified the prophecy of 
 David Hamm that we should adhere to the Golden Rule, only 
 we should “ do it first.” I shall not dwell upon the fiasco that 
 eventuated. Copenhagen is a wiser but sadder center of science, 
 and the American fondness for being fooled has again been 
 gratified. 
 
 Peary did not immediately announce his discovery to the Gov¬ 
 ernment ; he first gave it to the world. He was under pressure 
 which, perhaps, compelled him to do it. The world demanded 
 news, and there was nothing in his instructions to prevent him 
 making the announcement. He might have reported direct to 
 the Government—perhaps it would have been wiser—but who 
 could keep such a secret? And then again, perhaps he may not 
 have had authority to incur the expense of cabling. At any 
 rate, the Government suffered no loss, nor could the simple 
 announcement in advance of the records have been of any value 
 to it. The public wanted the news, whether it came direct 
 from the explorer or by the circuitous route of the depart¬ 
 ments ; it was such a story as could not be concealed. But there 
 was one person to whom Peary did convey the news—the good 
 34239—8852 
 
15 
 
 wife, who had been his companion upon previous explorations 
 and who was patiently awaiting his .return. Something was 
 due to her and family, for they had staked something upon the 
 enterprise. Hence the following: 
 
 PEARY'S MESSAGE TO HIS WIFE. 
 
 South Harpswell, Me., September 6. 
 Commander Robert E. Peary announced liis success in discovering 
 the North Pole to his wife, who is summering at Eagle Island here, as 
 follows : 
 
 Indian Harbor, via Cape Ray, September 6, 1909. 
 
 Mrs. R. E. Peary, South Harpswell, He.: 
 
 Have made good at last. I have the old pole. 
 Will wire again from Chateau. 
 
 Am well. Love. 
 
 Bert. 
 
 In replying, Mrs. Peary sent the following dispatch : 
 
 South Harpswell, Me., September 6, 1909. 
 To Commander R. E. Peary, 
 
 Steamer Roosevelt, Chateau Bay: 
 
 All well. Best love. God biess you. Hurry home. 
 
 Jo. 
 
 STARS AND STRIPES ON THE POLE. 
 
 But after the first flush of excitement, after the rumbling 
 which precedes the coming of the herd, the expansion of the 
 wave that tells of the ship’s approach, or, to be blunt and under¬ 
 standable, after the modern demand for news had “ beaten ” 
 official sanction, Peary proceeded, when facilities (the wireless 
 telegraph) were at hand, to promptly notify the Government. 
 His telegrams to the President, to the Secretary of the Navy, to 
 the Secretary of State, and their replies thereto, clearly indi¬ 
 cate the cordial and congratulatory spirit that prevailed. There 
 was no suggestion in the proud messages that flashed back 
 across the seas to the frozen north that there had been any 
 violation of instructions, any breach of official faith, or any 
 regret that an awaiting world had been informed of the glorious 
 triumph of American pluck. In the interest of truth and justice 
 it is fair to recall these messages. In the order of date, and 
 remembering the difficulties of transmission then existing, they 
 were as follows: 
 
 Indian Harbor, September t, 1909. 
 
 William H. Taft, 
 
 President of the United States of America, 
 
 White House, Washington, D. C.: 
 
 Have honor place North Pole your disposal. 
 
 R. E. Peary, 
 
 United States Navy. 
 
 Executive Office, 
 Beverly, Mass., September 8, 1909. 
 
 Commander R. E. Peary, 
 
 United States Navy, North Sydney, Nova Scotia: 
 
 Thanks for your interesting and generous offer. I do not know ex¬ 
 actly what I could do with it. I congratulate you sincerely on having 
 achieved after the greatest effort the object of your trip, and I sincerely 
 hope that your observations will contribute substantially to scientific 
 knowledge. You have added luster to the name “American.” 
 
 William H. Taft. 
 
 Battle Harbor, September 10, 1909. 
 
 Honorable Secretary of State, 
 
 State Department, Washington, D. C.: 
 
 Respectfully report hoisted Stars and Stripes on North Pole April 6, 
 and formally took possession that entire region and adjacent for and 
 in name of President and the United States America. Record and 
 United States flag left in possession. 
 
 34239—8852 
 
 Peary. 
 
16 
 
 Washington, D. C., September 12, 1909. 
 
 Peary, Battle Harbor: 
 
 Congratulations on your successful efforts. 
 
 Ade, Acting Secretary of State. 
 
 Battle Harbor, September 10, 1909. 
 Honorable Secretary United States Navy, 
 
 A: ary Department, Washington, D. C.: 
 
 Respectfully report my return. Hoisted navy ensign on North Pole 
 April 6. 
 
 Peary. 
 
 Washington, D. C., September 9, 1909. 
 Commander Peary, Battle Harbor: 
 
 Your telegraphic report received. Navy Department extends hearty 
 congratulations upon your successful attempt to reach North Pole. 
 
 Winthrop, Acting. 
 
 Battle Harbor, September 10, 1909. 
 
 Supt. O. H. Tittmann, 
 
 United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, 
 
 Washington, D. C.: 
 
 Respectfully report two hundred and thirty days’ tidal observations 
 Cape Sheridan, and twenty-eight days’ Cape Columbia, twenty-eight 
 days’ Cape Bryant, ten days’ Cape Morris Jcsup, fifteen days’ Fort Con¬ 
 ger, simultaneous with Sheridan observations. 
 
 Also soundings Cape Columbia to pole, and Cape Morris Jesup to 84° 
 15' north latitude. 
 
 Peary. 
 
 CONGRATULATIONS FROM FOREIGN LANDS. 
 
 The spirit of exultation which took possession of the Amer¬ 
 ican heart was not confined to this country. Foreign nations 
 joined in the acclaim and generously sought to honor the 
 intrepid American. The many messages and cablegrams that 
 came rolling in then are worth recalling now. Here are a few 
 of them: 
 
 Uccle, September 8, 1909. 
 
 Peary, New Yorlc; 
 
 International Polar Commission addresses sincerest congratulations 
 to their member. 
 
 Cagni, Nordenskiold, Lecointe. 
 
 New York, September 9, 1909. 
 
 Commander Peary, Battle Harbor: 
 
 Admiral Sir George Nares cables to 3 r ou, through the New York 
 Times, “ Owing to your well-known arctic veracity all will accept your 
 statement that you reached the North Pole. I congratulate you. 
 Nares.” 
 
 The New York Times. 
 
 Peary, Battle Harbor: 
 
 London, September 12, 1909. 
 
 Delighted to hear of your safe return. Warmest congratulations. 
 
 Darwin, 
 
 President Royal Geographical Society. 
 
 Turin, September 2h, 1909. 
 
 Commander Robert B. Peary, Nero Yorlc: 
 
 May I congratulate you on the result of your expedition. Am very 
 glad you have succeeded. 
 
 Abruzzi. 
 
 On Safari, North of Mount Kenia, 
 
 September 22, 1909. 
 
 Dear Mr. Bridgman, Secretary Peary Arctic Club: 
 
 Your cable has just been brought me by a native runner, here in my 
 camp by the Guars Nyero. I am writing to Mrs. Peary and Captain 
 Peary ; I have no idea where he is. I am inexpressibly rejoiced at his 
 34239—8852 
 
17 
 
 wonderful triumph, and proud beyond measure, as an American, that 
 this, one of the greatest feats of the ages, should have been performed 
 by a fellow-countryman of ours. It is the great feat of our generation. 
 We are all Captain Peary’s debtors—all of us who belong to civilized 
 mankind. 
 
 With heartiest congratulations, faithfully, yours, 
 
 Theodore Roosevelt. 
 
 The lapse of time has not changed the foreign estimate of this 
 American exploit. There has been ample opportunity for ma¬ 
 ture deliberation, for a hearing of all the facts, and for an 
 abatement of all the excitement incident to the discovery and 
 the contentions resulting therefrom, and yet many of the great 
 scientific bodies of the world are now anxious to receive in 
 person the American citizen who has excited their admiration. 
 Two letters bearing upon this phase of the question are ap¬ 
 pended : 
 
 Royal Geographical Society, 
 
 London, January 25, 1910. 
 
 Commander R. E. Peary, 
 
 The Oaklands, Washington, D. C., United States. 
 
 My Dear Peary : I cabled you yesterday that the council of the 
 society have decided to award you a special gold medal, and a silver 
 replica to the medal to Captain Bartlett. The medal is awarded to you 
 for having been the first man to lead an expedition to the North Pole, 
 and for having undertaken such scientific observations as your oppor¬ 
 tunities permitted. The silver replica is awarded to Captain Bartlett, 
 who accompanied you as far as 88° north latitude. I need hardly say 
 with what pleasure it is that I have conveyed to you this information. 
 Personally I think it is an honor which you thoroughly deserve, after 
 reaching the goal for which you have strived with such perseverance 
 and determination for so many years. 
 
 lours, very truly, J. Scott Keltie, Secretary. 
 
 [Cablegram.] 
 
 Rome, February U, 1910. 
 
 Commander Peary, 
 
 2019 Columbia road, Washington, D. C.: 
 
 Council Italian Geographical Society awarded you King Humbert 
 gold medal on account your long, successful attempts reach North Pole ; 
 silver medal, Captain Bartlett; please wire if accept invitation lecture 
 Rome, May, after London. 
 
 Marquis Cappelli, President. 
 completing the returns. 
 
 When at last the means of communication were at hand, the 
 true significance of Peary’s exploits was unfolded to the coun¬ 
 try. The unfortunate newspaper contention involving the ques¬ 
 tion of copyright tended, in some measure, to disparage the 
 work of the explorer, but returning to the United States, and 
 preparing his material so that his instructions might be carried 
 out intelligently, he presented his information to his superior 
 officers in such form and thoroughness as to evoke their highest 
 commendation. A perusal of the correspondence taken from 
 the files of the Department of Commerce and Labor, and which 
 is now submitted, will justify a reiteration of the statement 
 that no departmental fault was to be found, or has been found, 
 with the manner in which Peary complied with his instructions. 
 On the contrary, in the light of all the notoriety that has come 
 to the explorer, it will be observed that whatever quarrel there 
 has been concerning his performance has been in the newspapers 
 and magazines, or with the adherents of “ the absent one,” and 
 not in the departments or with the Government whose orders 
 he executed. The official correspondence that follows is re- 
 34239—8852-2 
 
18 
 
 spectfully submitted to the fair and candid judgment of the 
 American people: 
 
 The Peary Arctic Club, “to reach the farthest northern point on the 
 Western Hemisphere; to promote and maintain explorations of the 
 polar regions.” President, Thomas H. Hubbard; vice-president, 
 Zenas Crane. Organized January, 1899. Incorporated April, 1904. 
 Incorporators: Morris K. Jesup; Henry Parish; Anton A. Raven; 
 John H. Flagler; Robert E. Peary, civil engineer, United States 
 Navy; Herbert L. Bridgman, secretary and treasurer. Standard 
 Union Building, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 New York, July 9, 1909. 
 
 Sir : In reply to your inquiry, mail for Commander Peary should be 
 addressed to St. Johns, Newfoundland, care of Capt. Samuel W. Bartlett, 
 who, in command of the power schooner Jeanie, now expects to leave that 
 port for the north on the 25th instant. I judge this a more speedy and 
 certain method than myself to receive and forward, involving unneces¬ 
 sary delay here. 
 
 Very truly, yours, H. L. Bridgman. 
 
 O. H. Tittmann, Esq., 
 
 Superintendent Department of Commerce and Labor, 
 
 Coast and Geodetic Survey, Washington, D. G. 
 
 INTEREST OP THE COAST SURVEY. 
 
 Department op Commerce and Labor, 
 
 Coast and Geodetic Survey, 
 Washington, September SO, 1909. 
 
 Commander R. E. Peary, 
 
 United States Navy, Care Peary Arctic Club, New York, N. Y. 
 
 Dear Sir : Numerous statements having appeared in the press re¬ 
 ferring to a report from you to this bureau, some of which have been 
 attributed to you personally, suggest the possibility that a preliminary 
 report may have been sent which has failed to reach this office. (See 
 copy of telegram.) Will you please inform me of the facts in the case. 
 
 Congratulating you most heartily upon your splendid accomplish¬ 
 ment, I am, 
 
 Very respectfully, F. W. Perkins, 
 
 Acting Superintendent. 
 
 [Telegram.] 
 
 South Harpswedl, Me., October 7, 1909. 
 
 Perkins, 
 
 Acting Chief United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, 
 
 Washington, D. C.: 
 
 No report as yet except preliminary telegraphic one. Shall forward 
 original tidal records and profile of soundings Columbia to Pole shortly. 
 
 Peary. 
 
 Department of Commerce and Labor, 
 
 Coast and Geodetic Survey, 
 
 Washington, October 7, 1909. 
 
 Commander R. E. Peary, 
 
 United States Navy, South Harpswell, Me. 
 
 Dear Sir : I beg to thank you for your telegram of this date. Both 
 your determinations of tides and depths will be of greatest use in the 
 discussion of the currents in that region and will be highly prized. 
 
 Very truly, yours, 
 
 F. W. Perkins, 
 
 Acting Superintendent. 
 
 NAVY DEPARTMENT OBTAINS DATA. 
 
 Navy Department, 
 Washington, October 5, 1909. 
 
 Sir : The Government has for many years issued through the Hydro- 
 graphic Office under this department a chart of the Arctic Ocean, show¬ 
 ing the tracks of search parties and the progress of discovery. 
 
 2. The results of former expeditions toward the North Pole have been 
 committed to the Hydrographic Office and incorporated into the official 
 chart. It is, therefore, requested that the Coast and Geodetic Survey 
 furnish for this purpose the results of the late expenditions carried on 
 by Civil Engineer R. E. Peary, United States Navy, under the auspices 
 of the Peary Arctic Club. 
 
 Very respectfully, G. v. L. Meyer. 
 
 The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. 
 
 34239—8852 
 
19 
 
 Department of Commerce and Labor, 
 
 Office of the Secretary, 
 
 Washington, October 8, 1909. 
 
 Sir : In reply to your letter of October 5, 1909, I have the honor to 
 state that the Coast and Goedetic Survey will furnish for the use of the 
 Navy Department at the earliest practicable date such portions of the 
 results of the late expedition carried on by Civil Engineer It. E. Peary, 
 United States Navy, as he may furnish that bureau. No results have 
 as yet been received. 
 
 Respectfully, Ormsby McHarg, 
 
 Acting Secretary. 
 
 The honorable the Secretary of the Navy. 
 
 APPLYING RESULTS TO PUBLIC USE. 
 
 Department of Commerce and Labor, 
 
 Coast and Geodetic Survey, 
 
 Washington, October 80, 1909. 
 
 Sir : I inclose a photograph of the profile of soundings taken by the 
 Peary expedition upon the recent dash to the pole, together with a 
 copy of a letter just received from Commander Peary in regard to other 
 soundings, which will be of value to you in the preparation of the 
 chart of the polar region, to which you referred by ’phone some days 
 since. 
 
 The suggestion that Professor McMillan be called to Washington to 
 assist in working up the notes is a good one, but there is no appropria¬ 
 tion available in the C.oast Survey which could be applied to this pur¬ 
 pose. Yours possibly has greater flexibility. 
 
 When the profile of soundings, which is inclosed, was sent to me, it 
 was with the understanding that it was to be kept strictly private for 
 the present, but from Commander Peary’s letter of the 29th I gather 
 that he has no objection to their being sent to you, but I presume, with 
 the understanding, that they are not to be given to the press. 
 
 Very respectfully, yours, 
 
 F. W. Perkins 
 
 The Chief of the Hydrographic Office, 
 
 Navy Department, Washington, D. C. 
 
 [Telegram.] 
 
 Portland, Me., October 18, 1909. 
 
 Supt. F. W. Perkins, 
 
 United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, Washington, D. C.: 
 
 Tidal and meteorological records and profile of soundings leaving 
 Portland to-day by express. 
 
 Peary. 
 
 Soundings from Cape Columbia to pole—Peary Arctic Club polar expe¬ 
 dition, 1908-9. 
 
 Sounding by— 
 
 Latitude. 
 
 Fathoms. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 
 83 
 
 7 
 
 0 
 
 
 Marvin.. 
 
 83 
 
 10 
 
 98 
 
 Edge of glacial fringe. 
 
 Marvin and McMillan. 
 
 83 
 
 25 
 
 95 
 
 Bartlett. 
 
 83 
 
 53 
 
 110 
 
 Edge of continental shell. 
 
 Marvin.. 
 
 84 
 
 29 
 
 825 
 
 
 Bo. 
 
 84 
 
 39 
 
 580 
 
 
 Bo. 
 
 85 
 
 23 
 
 310 
 
 „ 
 
 Bo. 
 
 85 
 
 33 
 
 700 
 
 No bottom. 
 
 Bartlett.. 
 
 87 
 
 15 
 
 1,260 
 
 Bo. 
 
 Peary. 
 
 89 
 
 55 
 
 1,500 
 
 Bo. 
 
 October 18, 1909. 
 
 R. E. Peary, United States Navy. 
 
 March 16, 1910. 
 
 I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original. 
 
 [seal.] Andrew Braid, 
 
 Assistant in Charge of Office. 
 
 34269—8852 
 
20 
 
 EXPRESSING THE TIDAL RECORDS. 
 
 Eagle Island, South Harpswell, Me., 
 
 October 18, 1909. 
 
 Sir : Referring to my telegram, I am sending you by express the tidal 
 records of the Peary Arctic Club’s recent North Polar Expedition. 
 
 Owing to the unfortunate death of Prof. Ross G. Marvin, some of the 
 chronometer comparisons, particularly of the Cape Bryant observations, 
 are missing. 
 
 These comparisons are undoubtedly among Professor Marvin’s pri¬ 
 vate papers, and if so. will be obtained from his relatives later. 
 
 Prof. Donald B. McMillan took many of the observations and is 
 familiar with them all, and can come to Washington to see you any 
 time you may consider it advisable. 
 
 I am writing him now to communicate with you at once and to keep 
 you posted as to his address. 
 
 I am also sending you profile of soundings from Cape Columbia to 
 within 5 miles of the pole. 
 
 If such request is permissible, I will respectfully request that this 
 profile and complete set of soundings be not published at present. 
 
 With best regards, I am, 
 
 Very respectfully, R. E. Peary, 
 
 United States Navy. 
 
 Acting Superintendent F. W. Perkins, 
 
 United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, 
 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
 PEARY'S NOTES ON SOUNDINGS. 
 
 The sounding equipment of the expedition consisted of two reels of 
 specially made piano wire of 1,000 fathoms each and three approxi¬ 
 mately 20-pound leads, with clam-shell device for grasping samples of 
 the bottom. These reels were arranged to be fitted quickly to the up- 
 standers of a sledge when making a sounding and had handles for reel¬ 
 ing in the wire and lead. 
 
 One of these reels and leads were carried by Bartlett with his ad¬ 
 vance party, and the other reel and two leads by the main party. 
 
 Portions of the wire and the two leads were lost at various times in 
 hauling up, owing, probably, to kinks in the wire. 
 
 When the sounding at 85° 83' was made 700 fathoms only were left 
 of the sounding wire of the main party, and Bartlett, with the other 
 thousand fathoms, was in advance and inaccessible. 
 
 In hauling up the wire from this sounding it parted again, and some 
 200 fathoms, together with two pickax heads and a steel sledge shoe, 
 which had been used to carry it down, were lost. 
 
 When Marvin turned back the Captain’s 1,000 fathoms and the re¬ 
 maining 500 fathoms of the other reel were combined. 
 
 When Bartlett made the sounding at 87° 15' I gave him explicit in¬ 
 structions to use the utmost caution in regard to the wire, in order 
 not to lose any more of it, as I wanted it all for a sounding at the 
 pole, should I succeed in getting there. 
 
 Acting upon these instructions. Bartlett ran out 1,260 fathoms and 
 then stopped on account of a small kink in the wire, which he feared 
 would part when the wire was hauled up. 
 
 When I made my sounding about 5 miles from the pole the wire 
 parted, as had been feared, and the last lead and nearly all of the wire 
 was lost. 
 
 The above facts are noted to explain the irregularity of these sound¬ 
 ings which did not get bottom. 
 
 The sounding of 310 fathoms at 85° 23' naturally impressed me at 
 once as surprising, and when Marvin reported the result to me, imme¬ 
 diately after taking the sounding, I at once asked him if he was sure 
 that he had the bottom, and he replied that he was, as the fact of this 
 pronounced shoaling from 825 fathoms to 310 impressed him at once, 
 and he made sure that his depth was correct. 
 
 Again, when the sounding of 700 fathoms and no bottom was made 
 about 10 miles farther north, we both spoke of the peculiar fact of this 
 outlying ridge with deeper channel intervening between it and the conti¬ 
 nental shelf, and Marvin again said that he was sure of his 310 fathoms 
 reading. 
 
 Had it not been for the loss of the last lead and practically all of 
 the wire while making the soundings at the pole, I should, on the re¬ 
 turn, have interpolated other soundings. 
 
 34230—8852 
 
21 
 
 The profile indicates that a line of 5-mile interval soundings from 
 Cape Columbia to the -eighty-sixth parallel might develop a particularly 
 interesting profile of the bottom of the Arctic Ocean. 
 
 R. E. Peary, United States Navy. 
 
 October 18, 1909. 
 
 TIDAL DIVISION AT WORK. 
 
 Department of Commerce and Labor, 
 
 Coast and Geodetic Survey, 
 
 Washington, October 21, 1909. 
 
 Commander R. E. Peary, 
 
 United States Navy, Eagle Island, South Harpswell, Me. 
 
 Sir : Your telegram and letter of the 18th, in regard to the tidal 
 records, were duly received; and yesterday the tidal records, thermo¬ 
 grams, photographs, and photo films, and the two reports of January 
 4 and 9, by Mr. McMillan, were received by express. Later Mr. 
 Nichols called and handed me the tracing of the profile of the soundings 
 from Cape Columbia to the pole, for all of which I beg to thank you. 
 
 The tidal records will be turned over to the tidal division at once for 
 discussion, and I shall be happy to furnish you with the results in such 
 form as you may desire for publication with the account of your expe¬ 
 dition, which I presume you will publish later. 
 
 The Hydrographic Office of the Navy Department has asked for your 
 soundings, which I shall send to them as soon as I shall have received 
 the data for determining their positions. 
 
 I note what you say about giving publicity to the profile and com¬ 
 plete set of soundings, and beg to assure you that they will not be 
 made public at present. 
 
 Very respectfully, yours, F. W. Perkins, 
 
 Acting Superintendent. 
 
 hydrographic office interested. 
 
 Eagle Island, South Harpswell, Me., 
 
 October 28, 1909. 
 
 Mr. F. W. Perkins, Washington, D. C. 
 
 Dear Sir : Replying to your favor of October 21, I desire to express 
 my sincere appreciation of your kind offer to furnish me the results of 
 the discussion of the expedition's tidal records. 
 
 I shall be very glad to receive the same when ready. 
 
 In regard to the profile of soundings delivered to you by Mr. 
 Nichols, and which you inform me the Hydrographic Office of the Navy 
 Department desires, will say that these soundings were made on the 
 meridian of Cape Columbia, and platting on that meridian at the lati¬ 
 tudes which I think are noted in the table on the profile sheet, will 
 give their position. 
 
 There are quite a number of other soundings made on this expedi¬ 
 tion and the previous one along the north coast of Grant Land as far 
 west as the eighty-second meridian (Cape Fanshawe Martin), also in 
 Kennedy and Robeson channels and Kane basin, also off Cape Alex¬ 
 ander and from Cape Morris Jesup, the northern extremity of Green¬ 
 land, to 84° 15'. 
 
 If the Hydrographic Office contemplates adding these soundings to 
 chart No. 2142, or thinks of issuing a new edition of that chart, it 
 would seem desirable to have all of these soundings as well as the work 
 of the previous expedition, defining the shore line from Aldrich’s 
 farthest to Cape Thomas Hubbard, and the reconnaissance of the pres¬ 
 ent expedition of Clements Markham Inlet just west of Cape Hecla 
 added to the chart. 
 
 May I respectfully suggest that you take this matter up with the 
 Hydrographic Office and, if the work indicated above seems desirable, 
 see if some arrangement can be made for the compensation and ex¬ 
 penses of Prof. Donald B. McMillan, who is familiar with much of this 
 work, so that he may come to Washington with the notes of the sound¬ 
 ings and assist in platting the work? 
 
 Professor McMillan is now engaged in getting the soundings samples 
 in shape to send a set to your office for such examination as you may 
 desire. 
 
 Unfortunately, the samples of soundings on the northern journey be¬ 
 yond the sounding of 110 fathoms were lost with Professor Marvin. 
 The others may yield interesting results under the microscope. 
 
 Very sincerely, 
 
 R. E. Peary, United States Navy. 
 
 34239—8852 
 
22 
 
 PEART DETACHED-SPECIAL DUTY PERFORMED. 
 
 Department of Commerce and Labor, 
 
 Office of the Secretary, 
 Washington, January 15, 1910. 
 
 Sir : The Superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey advised me 
 that Commander R. E. Peary, United States Navy, has submitted to 
 that bureau the records of the tidal observations made by him in the 
 Arctic by order of President Roosevelt. These observations are reported 
 to have been thoroughly made and are satisfactory and of great value. 
 They are now being reduced and discussed by the tidal expert of the 
 Coast Survey. 
 
 In view of the fact that Commander Peary has performed the special 
 duty for which he was attached to this department, I have the honor to 
 suggest that he can be detached without detriment to the survey. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 Benj. S. Cable, 
 
 Acting Secretary. 
 
 The honorable the Secretary of the Navy. 
 
 expert finding upon records. 
 
 Mr. 
 
 Department of Commerce and Labor, 
 
 Coast and Geodetic Survey, 
 
 Washington, March 16, 1910. 
 
 O. H. Tittmann, 
 
 Superintendent Coast and Geodetic Survey, Office. 
 
 Sir : I have the honor to report that the tidal records obtained by 
 Commander R. E. Peary during his latest arctic expedition consist of 
 practically unbroken series of hourly readings of the height of the tide, 
 taken day and night, at the following places and between the dates 
 specified : 
 
 Station. 
 
 Period of observation. 
 
 Length 
 
 of 
 
 record. 
 
 
 
 Days. 
 
 Cape Sheridan. 
 
 November 12, 1908, to June 30, 1909 (total loss 
 of record, 31 hours). 
 
 231 
 
 Onpe Onlnmhin._ 
 
 November 16, 1908, to December 14, 1908__ 
 
 29 
 
 Cape Bryant—. 
 
 January 16, 1909, to February 13, 1909—. 
 
 28 
 
 Fort Conger —. 
 
 June 10, 1909, to June 25, 1909 (total loss of 
 record, 5 hours). 
 
 10 
 
 The observations were taken day and night, and besides the regular 
 hourly readings, numerous additional readings were generally taken 
 near the times of the high and the low waters. 
 
 From the records themselves and from plottings constructed from 
 them, it appears that the observations were taken with great care and 
 thoroughness. 
 
 The principal results from these records have been already obtained 
 and are on file in this office. 
 
 In order to show the full geographical value of the results, it will 
 he necessary to consider them in connection with all other tidal results 
 relating to the Arctic Ocean. This work is now under way. 
 
 Commander Peary's observations leave little to be desired in regard 
 to tidal observations between Cape Morris Jesup and Cape Columbia ; 
 but there are long stretches of the Arctic coast where nothing is 
 available. This is especially true of the Russian coast and the western 
 and northern portions of the arctic archipelago. However, we have 
 recently received some tidal information from the Russian hydro- 
 graphic office, with the promise of more, which will pertain to regions 
 where no knowledge of the tides has heretofore been available. 
 
 The results obtained from Commander Peary’s records show that the 
 tides along the northern coasts of Grant Land and Greenland are quite 
 different in many respects* from what had been heretofore supposed. 
 For example, his records prove that the tide occurs three hours earlier 
 at Cape Columbia than at Cape Sheridan, and not later, as had been 
 generally assumed. 
 
 As already intimated, the full significance of these observations in 
 respect to arctic geography can not be seen at this time. 
 
 34239—8852 
 
23 
 
 The meteorological records submitted to this office consist of thermo¬ 
 grams covering about 180 days, and barograms covering about 260 days. 
 Respectfully, yours, 
 
 R. A. Harris. 
 
 Note. —Mr. Harris, whose report is above presented, is the tidal ex¬ 
 pert of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, to whom the records of Com¬ 
 mander Peary had been referred for scrutiny and examination. 
 
 LEAVE-OF-ABSENCE PAY. 
 
 In addition to this official correspondence, Mr. Speaker, I 
 submit the following letter and inclosure from the Secretary of 
 the Navy. In the Secretary’s letter to me it will be observed 
 that the lump sum paid to Civil Engineer Peary during leave, 
 while engaged in exploration work, was $38,148.36. This sum, 
 given in bulk, looks formidable, but it is in fact less than was 
 raised by Commander Peary and his friends for some of the 
 eight expeditions, and if apportioned amongst the years that 
 he was actually engaged in exploration work, while on leave, 
 would amount to slightly more than $2,000 per annum, or about 
 the pay of a lieutenant, junior grade, in the navy: 
 
 Department of the Navy, 
 
 Office of the Secretary, 
 
 Washington, March U, 1910. 
 
 My Dear Congressman : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt 
 of your letter of the 9th instant, asking certain information in regard 
 to the record of Civil Engineer Robert E. Peary, United States Navy, 
 and requesting the views of this department upon joint resolution No. 
 144, “ authorizing the promotion of Civil Engineer Robert E. Peary to 
 the grade of rear-admiral in the Corps of Civil Engineers of the Navy, 
 and the presentation of a vote of thanks to him by Congress.” 
 
 In reply thereto I have to inform you that Robert E. Peary entered 
 the navaf service of the United States, as a civil engineer, on October 
 26, 1881, and has served continuously since that date. 
 
 During his service in the navy, Civil Engineer Peary, at different 
 times, has been granted leave of absence as follows : 
 
 1886, April 6 : Leave, eight months. 
 
 1887, October 31 : Leave, twelve months. 
 
 1891, February 24 : Leave, eighteen months. 
 
 1892, November 21 : Leave, three years. 
 
 1896, May 2 : Leave, six months. 
 
 1897, May 25 : Leave, five years and six months. 
 
 1903, September 9 : Leave, three years. 
 
 1907, April 9 : Leave, three years. (Under date of July 2, 1908, the 
 unexpired portion of this item of leave was revoked and Civil Engineer 
 Peary ordered to report to the Coast and Geodetic Survey for duty in 
 making tidal observations in Grant Land and Greenland.) 
 
 While on leave, as given above, Civil Engineer Peary was paid th® 
 sum of $38,148.36. 
 
 For the six months from May 5, 1896. to November 4, 1896 (fifth 
 item in statement on previous page), with the exception of two days 
 of duty, October 25 and 26, 1896, Civil Engineer Peary was on leave 
 without pay. 
 
 The views of the department in regard to H. R. bill 19971, providing 
 for the advancement of Civil Engineer Peary, are contained in a letter 
 dated February 10, 1910, addressed to the chairman of the Committee 
 on Naval Affairs, House of Representatives, a copy of which is in¬ 
 closed herewith for your information. 
 
 Faithfully, yours, G. v. L. Meyer, 
 
 Secretary of the Navy. 
 
 Hon. J. Hampton Moore, M. C., 
 
 House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. 
 
 attitude of navy department. 
 
 Navy Department, 
 Washington, February 10, 1910. 
 
 My Dear Congressman : The receipt is acknowledged of your letter 
 of the 8th instant, inclosing a bill (II. R. 19971) “ providing for the 
 appointment of Commander Robert E. Peary a rear-admiral in the 
 navy as an additional number in grade, and placing him upon the 
 retired list,” and requesting for the committee the views and recom¬ 
 mendations of the department thereon. 
 
 34239—8852 
 
24 
 
 In reply I have the honor to inform you that Robert Edwin Peary 
 entered the naval service of the United States as a civil engineer on 
 October 26, 1881, and has been an officer of the navy continuously 
 since that date, performing the duties required of a civil engineer under 
 orders from the Navy Department, except when on leave. 
 
 During his service in the navy, Civil Engineer Peary has been granted 
 leave of absence abroad as follows : 
 
 1880, April 6 : Leave abroad, eight months. 
 
 1887, October 31 : Leave abroad, twelve months. 
 
 1891, February 24 : Leave abroad, eighteen months. 
 
 1892, November 21 : Leave abroad, three years. 
 
 1896, May 2 : Leave abx*oad, six months. 
 
 1897, May 25 : Leave abroad, five months. 
 
 1903, September 9 : Leave abroad, three years. 
 
 1907, April 9 : Leave abroad, three years. 
 
 The unexpired portion of this last leave was revoked on July 2, 1908, 
 and Civil Engineer Peary was ordered to report to the Coast and 
 Geodetic Survey for duty in making tidal observations in Grant Land 
 and Greenland. 
 
 It would appear that the bill in question is framed for the purpose 
 of rewarding Civil Engineer Peary for having reached the North Pole, 
 and while having successfully accomplished this self-imposed task is 
 most commendable and reflects great credit not only upon him, but 
 also upon the entire Nation, his various exploring expeditions can not 
 be regarded as having been conducted for a strictly militai’y or naval 
 purpose, and for this reason it seems inappropriate to confer upon him 
 a title for which his previous education, training, and service have not 
 fitted him. 
 
 It is therefore recommended that in the title of the bill and in the 
 fourth line thereof the word “ commander ” be changed to “ civil engi¬ 
 neer,” the latter being Mr. Peary’s correct official designation, and, 
 further, that instead of appointing him a rear-admiral and placing him 
 upon the retired list as such, that he be retired as a civil engineer with 
 the rank of rear-admiral, and with the highest retired pay of that 
 grade under existing law. 
 
 Faithfully, yours, G. von L. Meyeb. 
 
 The Chairman Committee on Naval Affairs, 
 
 House of Representatives. 
 
 twenty-one volumes of tidal observations. 
 
 I also offer the following letter from the Secretary of the 
 Department of Commerce and Labor, showing that the Super¬ 
 intendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey received from Mr. 
 Peary, October 18, 1909, 21 volumes of tidal observations, with 
 certain other data, the result of which had not yet been com¬ 
 pleted “ owing to more pressing duties.” 
 
 Department of Commerce and Labor, 
 
 Office of the Secretary, 
 
 Washington, March 12, 1910. 
 
 Hon. J. Hampton Moore, M. C., 
 
 House of Representatives, Washington, D. G. 
 
 Sir : In reply to your letter to the Superintendent of the Coast and 
 Geodetic Survey of the 11th instant, I beg leave to inform you that in 
 conformity with the letter of the President, dated July 3, 1908, ad¬ 
 dressed to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, and orders of the 
 Navy Department dated July 2, 1908, Civil Engineer R. E. Peary, 
 United States Navy, reported by letter to the Superintendent of the 
 Coast and Geodetic Survey for the purpose of making tidal observa¬ 
 tions along the Grant Land and Greenland shore of the polar sea. 
 
 Detailed instructions as to the manner of making these observations 
 were issued by the Superintendent of the Coast Survey under date of 
 July 9, 1908. 
 
 Under date of October 18, 1909, Mr. Peary transmitted to the Super¬ 
 intendent of the Coast Survey 21 volumes of tidal observations and 
 also a profile of soundings from Cape Columbia to within 5 miles of 
 the pole. 
 
 A reduction of the tidal observations has been in progress for some 
 time, but owing to more pressing duties the final discussion of these 
 results has not yet been completed. 
 
 Under date of October 31, 1909, a copy of the profile of soundings 
 was forwarded to the Hydrographic Office of the Navy Department for 
 utilization in the publication of their chart of the polar ocean. In 
 34239—8852 
 
25 
 
 answer, therefore, to the question whether his reports have been 
 available for public use in the publication of data and in the dissemina¬ 
 tion of information respecting the arctic seas, I beg leave to say that 
 the records have been treated in the customary manner. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 Charles Nagel, Secretary. 
 
 CONGRESS SHOULD SETTLE THE CONTROVERSY. 
 
 Thus, it would appear that neither the Department of the 
 Navy nor the Department of Commerce and Labor, to which 
 the work of Mr. Peary was reported, has any doubt of the 
 success or the value of his achievement. Enough of the great 
 newspapers, however, refuse to treat the discoverer seriously, 
 as to prolong the doubt which still remains in the minds of 
 those critics who failed to appreciate the propriety of honoring 
 an American in his own country. For this reason, Mr. Speaker, 
 it would seem a gracious thing for Congress to settle the con¬ 
 troversy upon the reports of the departments alone. If we 
 fail to do this, it would reflect not only upon the authenticity 
 of the departmental reports and records, but upon the findings 
 of the scientific world. 
 
 It has been suggested, with more of cynicism, I trust, than of 
 seriousness, that Mr. Peary should submit his proofs to the 
 University of Copenhagen. With the above correspondence be¬ 
 fore us, would any sane American, disregarding the red tape of 
 American departmental routine, admit the incompetency of 
 American scientists to determine a question of this consequence? 
 It is charged that Mr. Peary, having complied with his instruc¬ 
 tions from the Government, has refused to submit his proofs to 
 Congress; that having made contracts for the publication of 
 certain literary material not required by his instructions he is 
 seeking a selfish purpose, and is unworthy of belief; some Edi¬ 
 son, perchance, who, having discovered a secret of electricity, 
 declines to lose the advantage of his twenty-three years of toil 
 and experience, of his hardship and trouble, and yield up his all 
 to those who would rob him of his just reward! In this emer¬ 
 gency may it not fairly be asked whether we do not belittle 
 ourselves in the eyes of the world when we admit the discovery, 
 accept the geographical, commercial, and naval results that ac¬ 
 crue from it, and yet deny the discoverer, because, perchance, 
 he seeks retirement, and the right in retirement to provide for 
 old age an equivalent for the losses and the sacrifices of twenty- 
 three years’ extraordinary service? 
 
 The injustice of it all and the smallness of it all, Mr. Speaker, 
 have appealed to me, and it has seemed to me that if Con¬ 
 gress could not advance an American who had attained a 
 world’s place in history, an advancement from a civil station to 
 one of higher rank in the Department of the Navy, it might at 
 least do him the simple honor of acknowledging his achieve¬ 
 ments. 
 
 AMERICAN SCIENTISTS AFFECTED. 
 
 In a joint resolution, which is now before the Naval Affairs 
 Committee, I have asked that Congress admit that this per¬ 
 sistent and self-sacrificing American won the race against the 
 greatest explorers of other nations; I have asked it not only 
 for his sake and the patriotic impulses it involves, but for the 
 sake of scientific America, which through its National Geo¬ 
 graphic Society has staked its reputation upon the work of the 
 34239—8852 
 
26 
 
 man. To discredit Robert E. Peary, after all his years of en¬ 
 deavor, will not dignify this Congress nor the people of this 
 country in the eyes of the world, but it must necessarily dis¬ 
 credit American scientists who have put the stamp of their 
 approval upon his labors. Can we afford to do it? In order to 
 show that the scientific judgment of those who have examined 
 Peary’s work does not differ, but wholly accords with the of¬ 
 ficial and departmental estimate of it, I submit the following 
 report of a meeting of the National Geographic Society of the 
 United States, a society made up of the leading scientists of 
 this country, who came together October 20, 1909, to consider 
 Peary’s remarkable exploit: 
 
 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY'S INVESTIGATION. 
 
 At a meeting of the board of managers of the National Geographic 
 Society, Wednesday morning, October 20, the records and observations 
 and proof of Commander Robert E. Peary that he reached the pole 
 April 6, 1909, were submitted to the society. 
 
 The records and observations were immediately referred to the com¬ 
 mittee on research, with the direction that the chairman appoint a sub¬ 
 committee of experts, of which he. shall be a member, to examine said 
 records and report on them to the board. Mr. Henry Gannett, chair¬ 
 man of the committee on research, immediately appointed as the other 
 members of the committee Rear-Admiral Colby M. Chester, United States 
 Navy, and O. H. Tittmann, Superintendent of the United States Coast 
 and Geodetic Survey. 
 
 This committee of the society will personally examine the notebooks 
 and original observations made by Commander Peary in his march to 
 the pole and see all the papers as brought back from the field. The 
 committee will report to the board the result of its findings at a special 
 meeting of the board to be called for that purpose. 
 
 This action of the society was taken in accordance with the by-laws 
 of the society, which provide that “ the committee on research shall 
 be charged with the consideration of all matters of scientific and tech¬ 
 nical geography, including exploration, which may be brought before 
 the society, or which may originate in the committee, and shall report 
 thereon to the board of managers, with recommendations for action.” 
 
 At a meeting on October 1 the board of managers stated that the 
 National Geographic Society could accept the personal statements of 
 neither Commander Peary nor Doctor Cook that the pole had been 
 reached, without investigation by its committee on research or by a 
 scientific body acceptable to it. 
 
 At the same meeting Commander Peary and Doctor Cook were urged 
 speedily to submit their observations to a competent scientific commis¬ 
 sion in the United States. 
 
 At a later meeting the board joined in a request from the American 
 Museum of Natural History, New York, and the American Geographical 
 Society to President Ira Remsen that he, as the president of the 
 National Academy of Sciences, appoint a commission to pass upon the 
 records of Commander Peary and Doctor Cook. This plan for an early 
 examination failed, as Doctor Remseh stated that he would not be able 
 to appoint said commission unless authorized by his council, which 
 meets late in November, and unless also requested to do so by both 
 Commander Peary and Doctor Cook. 
 
 Commander Peary was willing to abide by such a commission, but 
 Doctor Cook stated that his observations would go first to the University 
 of Copenhagen. In view of the fact that Commander Peary had been 
 waiting since his return to submit his records to a scientific commis¬ 
 sion in the United States, the National Geographic Society believed it 
 should receive his papers now in order that his claim of having reached 
 the pole may be passed upon without further delay. 
 
 The society is ready to make a similar examination of Doctor Cook's 
 original observations and field notes, but as he promised to send them 
 to the University of Copenhagen, and the society will not have an op¬ 
 portunity of seeing them for probably some months, it did not seem 
 fair to defer action on Commander Peary’s observations until Doctor 
 Cook’s papers were received by the society. The only question now to 
 be decided by the society is whether or not Commander Peary reached 
 the pole on April 6, 1909. 
 
 Mr. Henry Gannett, chairman of the committee which will report 
 on Commander Peary’s observations, has been chief geographer of the 
 34239—8852 
 
27 
 
 United States Geological Survey since 18S2; he is the author of 
 “ Manual of Topographic Surveying,” “ Statistical Atlases of the 
 Tenth and Eleventh Censuses,” “ Dictionary of Altitudes,” “ Magnetic 
 Declination in the United States,” Stanford's “ Compendium of Geog¬ 
 raphy,” and of many government reports. Mr. Gannett is vice-presi¬ 
 dent of the National Geographic Society, and was one of the founders 
 of the society in 1888. 
 
 Rear-Admiral Colby M. Chester, United States Navy, was graduated 
 from the United States Naval Academy in 1863. He has held practi¬ 
 cally every important command .under the Navy Department, including 
 superintendent of the United States Naval Observatory, commander in 
 chief Atlantic Squadron, Superintendent of the United States Naval 
 Academy, Chief of Hydrographic Division, United States Navy. Ad¬ 
 miral Chester has been known for many years as one of the best and 
 most particular navigators in the service. 
 
 O. H. Tittmann has been Superintendent of the United States Coast 
 and Geodetic Survey since I960. He is the member for the United 
 States of the Alaskan Boundary Commission, and was one of the 
 founders of the National Geographic Society. 
 
 Board of managers: Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the tele¬ 
 phone ; C. M. Chester, rear-admiral United States Navy, former Super¬ 
 intendent United States Naval Observatory; P. V. Coville, botanist, 
 United States Department of Agriculture; Rudolph Kauffman, manag¬ 
 ing editor, the Evening Star ; T. L. Macdonald, M. D.; Willis L. Moore, 
 Chief United States Weather Bureau ; S. N. D. North, formerly director 
 United States Bureau of Census; O. P. Austin, Chief United States 
 Bureau of Statistics ; Charles J. Bell, president American Security and 
 Trust Company ; T. C. Chamberlin, professor of geology, University of 
 Chicago ; George Davidson, professor of geography, University of Cali¬ 
 fornia ; John Joy Edson, president Washington Loan and Trust Com¬ 
 pany ; David Fairchild, in charge of agricultural explorations, Depart¬ 
 ment of Agriculture; A. J. Henry, professor of meteorology, United 
 States Weather Bureau; A. W. Greely, arctic explorer, major-general 
 United States Army ; Henry Gannett, geographer of Conservation Com¬ 
 mission ; J. Howard Gore, professor of mathematics, The George Wash¬ 
 ington University ; Gilbert H. Grosvenor, editor of National Geographic 
 Magazine ; George Otis Smith, Director of United States Geological Sur¬ 
 vey ; O. H. Tittmann, Superintendent of United States Coast and Geo¬ 
 detic Survey; and John M. Wilson, brigadier-general United States 
 Army, formerly Chief of Engineers. 
 
 SCIENTISTS ATTEST DISCOVERY. 
 
 In due course, Mr. Speaker, the board of managers of the 
 National Geographic Society, at a meeting held at Hubbard 
 Memorial Hall, Washington, D. C., November 4, 1909, received 
 the following report: 
 
 The subcommittee to which was referred the task of examining the 
 records of Commander Peary in evidence of his having reached the 
 North Pole beg to report that they have completed their task. 
 
 Commander Peary has submitted to this subcommittee his original 
 journal and records of observations, together with all his instruments 
 and apparatus and certain of the most important of the scientific re¬ 
 sults of his expedition. These have been carefully examined by your 
 subcommittee, and they are unanimously of the opinion that Com¬ 
 mander Peary reached the North Pole on April 6, 1969. 
 
 They also feel warranted in stating that the organization, planning, 
 and management of the expedition, its complete success, and its scien¬ 
 tific results reflect the greatest credit on the ability of Commander 
 Robert E. Peary and render him worthy of the highest honors that the 
 National Geographic Society can bestow upon him. 
 
 Henry Gannett. 
 
 C. M. Ci-sester. 
 
 O. H. Tittmann. 
 
 The foregoing report was unanimously approved. 
 
 Immediately after this action the following resolutions were unani¬ 
 mously adopted : 
 
 “ Whereas Commander Robert E. Peary has reached the North Pole, 
 the goal sought for centuries; and 
 
 “ Whereas this is the greatest geographical achievement that this 
 society can have opportunity to honor : Therefore 
 
 “ Resolved, That a special medal be awarded to Commander Peary." 
 
 34239—8852 
 
28 
 
 CONGRATULATIONS FROM ROOSEVELT. 
 
 The following telegrams are interesting in this connection: 
 
 December 9 , 1909 . 
 
 Theodore Roosevelt, 'Nairobi, British East Africa: 
 
 National Geographic Society December 15 awards medal Peary for 
 discovery of pole. Will appreciate message of congratulation from you. 
 
 National Geographic Society. 
 
 Nairobi, December 11, 1909. 
 National Geographic Society, Washington: 
 
 Extremely pleased. Desire through you to extend heartiest congratu¬ 
 lations Peary on his great feat which you have thus recognized. 
 
 Roosevelt. 
 
 HONORS TO FOREIGN EXPLORERS. 
 
 The difference between the report of the National Geographic 
 Society with its modest contribution of a “ special medal ” to 
 Mr. Peary and that which would have actuated foreign govern¬ 
 ments is, that whereas a voluntary scientific body in the United 
 States might applaud an American citizen who had accom¬ 
 plished some extraordinary thing, foreign governments, notably 
 that of Great Britain, would have taken official recognition of 
 the act, and while supporting it from the beginning would have 
 rewarded the hero so that his declining years might have been 
 honorable and free from the criticism and the malice that some¬ 
 times follow proven heroes in our own country. And in this 
 connection, Mr. Speaker, I desire to submit a few observations 
 with regard to the treatment accorded to explorers of foreign 
 lands: 
 
 Alexander Mackenzie, for discovering the Mackenzie River, 1789 , 
 flowing into the Arctic Ocean, and for arctic and subarctic explorations, 
 1790-1801, was knighted by Great Britain in 1892 at the age of 47. 
 
 William Edward Parry won the prize of £5,000 ($20,000) offered by 
 Parliament for the first commander to take a ship across longitude 110° 
 west, 1819. Eight years later, 1827, Parry reached 82° 45' (the record 
 for farthest north), and on his return to England was knighted by the 
 King, 1829, at the age of 39. 
 
 John Franklin, for explorations of the arctic coast of North America, 
 1818-1827, was knighted in 1829, at the age of 43. 
 
 John Ross, for explorations on the arctic coast of North America, 
 was knighted in 1835, at the age of 58. 
 
 George Back, for discovering the Great Fish River, or Backs River, 
 flowing into the Arctic Ocean, was knighted, 1837, at the age of 41. 
 
 James Ross, who had accompanied his uncle, John Ross, in his 
 north polar explorations, was knighted in 1844 for discovering Victoria 
 Land and other important explorations around the South Pole, at the 
 age of 44. 
 
 Robert McClure, the first to accomplish the Northwest Passage, 1850 - 
 1853, received a grant of £10,000 from Parliament and was knighted 
 by the Queen, 1853, at the age of 46. Richard Collinson was also 
 knighted for the same feat one year later at the age of 43. 
 
 Francis L. McCliutock, for explorations along the arctic coast of 
 North America, and particularly for finding the remains of Sir John 
 Franklin and his party, was knighted, 1855, at the age of 36. 
 
 George Nares, for explorations in the arctic during which a member 
 of his party, Beaumont, made farthest north, 82° 20', was knighted, 
 1877, at the age of 46. 
 
 Ernest H. Shackleton. who reached a point within 100 miles of the 
 South Pole, January, 1909, on his return to England, was immediately 
 made a grant of £20,000 by the British Government and has also been 
 knighted by the King, at the age of about 35. 
 
 PEARY RECOGNIZED ABROAD. 
 
 It will be observed that great governments, striving to figure 
 in the world’s history, have not been slow in other instances to 
 honor n^r] reward those of its distinguished sons who have 
 34239—8852 
 
29 
 
 undertaken great explorations in their name; nor can it be said 
 tliat Great Britain, a leader in encouraging exploration, has 
 been either envious or unkind enough to overlook the achieve¬ 
 ment of our own distinguished American explorer Peary: 
 
 Since 1832 recognition of explorers by the British Government has 
 depended upon the recommendation of the Royal Geographical Society, 
 of London. Each one of the explorers mentioned above, excepting those 
 prior to 1832, also received one of the two annual medals of this 
 society—the Founder's medal or the Patron’s medal—but the Royal 
 Geographical Society has not honored any one of these great British 
 polar explorers in the manner in which it proposes to honor Com¬ 
 mander Peary in May of this year. A special gold medal is now being 
 prepared and will be struck off to commemorate the discovery of the 
 North Pole by Peary, which will be handed him on May 4. On only 
 three other occasions has the Royal Geographical Society awarded a 
 special medal—to Stanley in 1890, for rescuing Emin Pasha and for 
 his crossing of Africa, and to Nansen in 1897, for his polar expedi¬ 
 tion, and to Shackleton for south polar explorations. The list of per¬ 
 sons who have received the medals of the Royal Geographical Society 
 since 1832 includes all the great explorers of Africa, South America, 
 Australia, and the polar regions ; but not even Livingstone, nor any of 
 the pioneer explorers of Africa or of Australia, both of which conti¬ 
 nents have been opened up within this period, were honored in the 
 way the Royal Geographical Society proposes to recognize Peary. In 
 other wmrds, only three feats of exploration during the past eighty 
 years are held by the Royal Geographical Society as comparable with 
 the discovery of the pole—Stanley’s crossing of Africa and Nansen’s and 
 Shackleton’s polar expeditions. 
 
 Furthermore, the Royal Geographical Society places Peary ahead of 
 either Stanley or Nansen or Shackleton. Its gold medal to Stanley in 
 1890 was 3 inches diameter; its medal to Nansen (1897), 2i inches 
 diameter; its medal to Shackleton (1909) 3 inches in diameter; but its 
 medal to Peary will be 4 inches diameter. By the size of the medal the 
 society carefully expresses the relative importance of the three achieve¬ 
 ments. 
 
 FURTHER DELAY IS CRUELTY. 
 
 This does not look as if the exploit of Peary was underesti¬ 
 mated in foreign lands. It manifests no disposition that we 
 should send our records to Copenhagen, or that we should go 
 behind our own American scientists. But it is still contended 
 by some of the discontented and perturbed minds amongst our 
 90,000,000 people that the report to the National Geographic So¬ 
 ciety was prejudiced; that Peary since his return has failed to 
 support the relatives of his crew; that his exploit was impos¬ 
 sible, and so forth. Are these excuses for delaying action by 
 Congress tenable? Are we, by delay, to gratify the personal 
 grievances of Peary’s opponents and thereby countenance that 
 cruelty of man to man which Robert Burns, beloved victim of 
 an ungrateful people, truthfully observed: 
 
 Makes countless thousands mourn? 
 
 I trust we shall not so stultify our national honor. 
 
 TIME RECORDS ON DASH TO POLE. 
 
 Referring to the time occupied by Peary in his last dash to 
 the pole, Mr. Gilbert H. Grosvenor, director and editor of the 
 National Geographic Society, says: 
 
 In view of the recent published statement by a Member of Congress 
 doubting the distances traveled by Peary on his last northern sledge 
 journey, I have gone to some trouble to obtain correct figures from the 
 narrative of Peary’s last and previous expeditions. 
 
 Anyone who cares to take the time and trouble can verify these 
 figures, and will find the following results : 
 
 Peary’s average distance per march from Cape Columbia to where 
 Bartlett turned back was 12.8 miles. Had it not been for the north 
 wind two days, setting them back, this average would have been 13§ 
 miles. Between two observations taken by Marvin the average of 
 three marches was 161 miles. Several of the marches were 20 miles. 
 
 34239—8852 
 
30 
 
 His average, from the time Bartlett left him, to the pole was 20 
 miles. His average on his return was 25.6 miles. 
 
 For comparison with the above figures, as showing that these aver¬ 
 ages are not at all excessive, the following facts can be taken from 
 the narrative of the last expedition and previous ones : 
 
 Peary’s last 2 marches on the return, from Cape Columbia to the 
 Roosevelt, were 45 miles each. On this and previous expeditions the 
 journey from Cape Hecla to the Roosevelt . a distance of 45 to 50 miles, 
 was made in 1 march. The distance from Cape Columbia to Hecla 
 was also made on other occasions in 1 march. The march from the 
 Roosevelt to Porter Bay, a distance of 35 miles, was repeatedly made in 
 eight, ten, and twelve hours. MacMillan and Borup, returning from 
 Cape Morris Jesup to the Roosevelt, made the distance of 250 miles or 
 more in 8 marches, an average of over 31 miles a march. Peary, in 
 one of his earlier expeditions, made the distance from Cape Wilkes 
 to Cape D’Urville, a distance of 65 to 70 miles, in 1 march. He re¬ 
 peatedly made the march from Cape D’Urville to Cape Fraser, a dis¬ 
 tance of 40 miles, in 1 march, and in the winter of 1899-1900 traveled 
 from Etah to a point in Robertson Bay, 60 miles distant, in less than 
 twelve hours. 
 
 On his return from Independence Bay to Bowdoin Bay, Peary aver¬ 
 aged 20 miles a day for 25 successive marches ; 210 miles in 7 succes¬ 
 sive marches (an average of 30 miles a day), making the last march 
 of 40 miles, all these with dogs not driven by Eskimo drivers. 
 
 On more than one occasion in the fall of 1900 Peary’s parties went 
 from Lake Hazen to Fort Conger, both by the Bellows route and by 
 the Black Vale route, distances either way of 50 miles overland, in 1 
 march. This after the sun had set for the winter. 
 
 In February, 1899, before the sun returned, Peary (with both feet 
 frozen six weeks before) sledged from Conger to Cape D’Urville, a dis¬ 
 tance of over 200 miles, in 11 marches, in an average temperature of 
 53J degrees below zero, an average of about 20 miles. In March of 
 1902 he went from Cape Sabine to Fort Conger, a distance of 250 to 
 300 miles, as traveled, in 12 marches, an average of 21 to 25 miles, and 
 later covered the same distance again in 11 marches, an average of 22 
 to 27 miles. 
 
 In the history of polar exploration no one has had so much and such 
 long-continued training in ice work as Peary ; his speed is the result of 
 long years of practice, resulting in great physical endurance and skill 
 in the use of the sledge. 
 
 BOBUP'S TBIBUTE TO PEABY. 
 
 I have also inquired as to Peary’s treatment of his men. In 
 this connection I am able to present two unpublished letters, 
 the first addressed by George Borup, son of Lt. Col. Henry D. 
 Borup, United States Army, and a member of the last expedi¬ 
 tion, to the National Geographic Society, as follows: 
 
 1211 Foubteenth Avenue, 
 Altoona, Pa., March 11, 1910. 
 
 Mr. Gilbebt H. Geosvenob, 
 
 National Geographic Society, Washington, D. G. 
 
 Deak Mb. Gbosvenob : I just received your letter and am only too 
 glad to do as you ask and tell you what we fellows thought of Com¬ 
 mander Peary and the wonderful kind way he treated us. 
 
 It makes me sick the way almost everyone criticises, abuses, and 
 knocks him. 
 
 Why, do you suppose for one minute he could have gotten the work 
 out of either the Eskimos or ourselves if he had been a grim martinet 
 or tyrant. Well, I guess not. 
 
 In the fall of 1908, for about four weeks, McMillan was laid out by 
 a fever and was in bed for nearly three weeks. Every day the com¬ 
 mander would drop in several times a day to see how he was getting 
 cm, ask him what he could do for him, what books “ Mac ” wanted from 
 h\s arctic library, what tunes he would like played on the pianola, w T hat 
 variety in his food he would prefer, etc. Then he would go get the 
 books wauted or sit down and play the pianola for “ Mac ” by the hour. 
 
 Once, on the second day of the dash, “ Mac ” fell in the icy water 
 up to his waist, with the temperature in the minus fifties. Luckily for 
 him it was camping time and the igloos were almost done. 
 
 He hurried to camp. The commander saw he had met with a mis¬ 
 hap, spread out a musk-ox robe for him to sit on, helped him pull off 
 his icy moccasins and stockings, dried his feet, legs, and drawers with 
 the shirt that was next his own skin—and, mind you, there was no 
 34239—8852 
 
31 
 
 drying that shirt over a fire ; he had to dry it with his own animal 
 heat. 
 
 After that he put Mac’s feet, which by this time were nearly frozen, 
 upon his own stomach to warm them up. From experience I for one 
 know that having a pair of icy feet on one’s stomach is far from 
 pleasant. 
 
 Now, there was no need for the commander to have done that. He 
 could have called an Eskimo up and told him to warm Mac’s feet up. 
 But, no, he did it himself. 
 
 And, of course, when the leader of an expedition is willing to do that 
 for his men, they are devoted to him and will do anything for him. 
 
 Again, when MacMillan was shot the commander came in the room 
 with the tears in his eyes and said he’d have rather been shot himself 
 than have MacMillen laid out—and if ever a man meant what* he said 
 we knew the commander did. 
 
 If I started to tell you the numberless ways the commander went out 
 of his way to help us, give us advice, keep us jollied up, I’d have a book 
 written before I got through. 
 
 Personally my own father could not have been kinder or more con¬ 
 siderate to me than the commander was. During the whole trip I 
 never knew him to say a cross word to anyone, white man or Eskimo, 
 and the Lord knows we gave him occasion too often enough. 
 
 He would not only go out of his way to help us, but would put him¬ 
 self out for the dogs. I remember once a dog got a line snarled around 
 his leg on deck and was in great pain. I went to his rescue, but the 
 brute failed to appreciate my attempts to get him out of his fix, and 
 seemed to hold me responsible for his pain. 
 
 The commander happened to come out on deck then, saw the dog 
 was doing his best to sample me, and came up to help at once. Just a 
 word or two to the dog, and the animal seemed to know he’d found 
 a friend ; the commander got hold of his leg, unwrapped the trace, and 
 the dog was free and falling all over the commander to express his 
 gratitude. 
 
 If you will excuse my continuing on another line in regard to this 
 Macon affair about the distances we supporting parties went, when 
 Marvin and I were trying to overhaul Peary we covered about 40 miles 
 one day and were one day’s march behind the main column. We called 
 for a volunteer to go ahead and catch Peary, and Segloo, who after¬ 
 wards went to the pole, responded, and after less than four hours’ rest 
 went on, covering about 20 more miles, and catching Peary at 84° 29'— 
 that is, he came from about 83° 30' to 84° 29' (57 miles) with four 
 hours’ rest. 
 
 Again McMillan and I reached the ship at Cape Sheridan from Cape 
 Morris Jesup, nearly 300 geographical miles, in eight marches, and we 
 took things easy at that. Twice we covered over 50 miles in a march. 
 
 Returning from 85° 23' with 3 Eskimos, 2 of whom were so badly 
 laid out they couldn’t walk, but had to be dragged on the sledge drawn 
 by 16 of the worst dogs of the whole outfit, we reached land, 136 geo¬ 
 graphical miles away, in 7 marches, and would have done it in less but 
 for being delayed by open water. 
 
 We averaged 20 miles a day, almost, a badly crippled outfit at that. 
 Are Commander Peary’s marches surprising when you remember his 
 were the best Eskimos of the tribe, the dogs the pick of 240? 
 
 To sum up— 
 
 Commander Peary was just great kindness and consideration per¬ 
 sonified, always going out of his way to help us, and the only trouble 
 with his having found the pole is that we can never have the privilege 
 of serving under such a wonderfully fine leader as he is again. 
 
 Thanks for your promise to let me know about the southern expedi¬ 
 tion, as, with Peary’s methods, I think it would be a sure thing. 
 
 Yours, sincerely, 
 
 George Borup. 
 
 CAPTAIN BARTLETT ADDS HIS PRAISE. 
 
 Another letter is from Capt. Robert A. Bartlett, sailing 
 master of the steamer Roosevelt, which carried Peary, an of¬ 
 ficer of the Government of the United States, under pay on 
 leave, to the North Pole under the auspices of the Peary Arctic 
 Club. Captain Bartiett ought to be in a position to speak 
 authoritatively, and I submit that his word and that of Mr. 
 Borup (I have been unable to gather data from others) should 
 be taken as against the unauthorized and trivial statements 
 34239—8852 
 
32 
 
 that crop up in all sections of the country like so many mush¬ 
 rooms over night: 
 
 Boston City Club, 
 
 9 Beacon Street. 
 
 The fact that I have been with. Commander Peary on all of his expe¬ 
 ditions since 1897 must necessarily prove that I think highly of him. 
 
 The fact that nearly all the members of the expedition wanted to go 
 with him again shows that there could be nothing but the most amiable 
 relations. 
 
 The late P, lessor Marvin thought so highly of Peary that he sacri¬ 
 ficed a great many opportunities in order to make another voyage 
 with him. 
 
 Doctor Wolf, the surgeon of 1906-1907, tried very hard to go again, 
 but could not get away on account of his practice. The chief engineer 
 and Bosee Murphy, also Steward Charles Percy,, as well as members of 
 the crew, have been with him since the Roosevelt was launched. 
 
 The late Capt. Harry Bartlett, who was drowned, had been with 
 Peary twice ; Capt. John Bartlett several times, giving up owing to age 
 limit; and Capt. Samuel Bartlett was with him for a number of years, 
 but did not feel like leaving his family, simply because they did not 
 wish him to be away from his home during the winter. 
 
 I have merely quoted the above to demonstrate that the best of feel¬ 
 ing must have existed between the commander and the members of his 
 party at all times. One can be assured that the Eskimo would not 
 work for him unless they had the highest regard for him. 
 
 My own estimation of Peary is hard to describe. I have more admira¬ 
 tion for him than any man living. We have never had a hard word, 
 and the same friendly relations existing between the commander and 
 myself during all the years that I have been with him remain the same 
 as when first I met him. 
 
 His kindly consideration of everyone under the most trying conditions 
 was always marked; his orders were always given in the form of a 
 request, and he always invited suggestions of the members of his 
 party. 
 
 “ When Jesus Christ was on earth He was not appreciated by many. 
 He had to die to get recognition.” 
 
 To know a man shorn of all frills live with him in the Arctic, and 
 there you will see a man in his true light. A man may be an angel or 
 act like one here, but up in the Arctic where one comes in constant or 
 daily contact with each other and have the same regard for his fellow- 
 man after as before, that man must be all right. 
 
 Time and time again Peary has gone out of his way to make things 
 pleasant for us ; doing without things himself so that we may have 
 them. If the last drop of whisky was left in the bottle and a fellow 
 wanted it, Peary would willingly give it. I have seen him when his 
 igloo has been built make tea and give it to me. To tell of the many 
 things that he has done for not only me, but others of the party, would 
 fill a large book. 
 
 In conclusion, I am perfectly satisfied with Peary’s treatment of me. 
 I never want to sail with a better man. A born leader of men. A 
 man of master mind. 
 
 Robert A. Bartlett, 
 
 Sailing Master, Peary Arctic Clul), 
 
 Steamer Roosevelt. 
 
 MELVILLE AND SIGSBEE STAND BY. 
 
 It seems fair, too, to say that Admiral George W. Melville, an 
 Arctic explorer of proven courage, a man whose heroic work in 
 the frozen North has identified his name forever with the 
 world’s history, has carefully considered this whole question of 
 the treatment"of Peary, and has expressed his entire confidence 
 in, and high regard for, the skillful work that Peary did. Mel¬ 
 ville has been raised to the rank of rear-admiral (retired), and 
 holds no envy, but recognizes the glory of an achievement other 
 nations have sought to attain, and which has at last fallen to 
 the honor of his own country. Nor is there a symptom of un¬ 
 friendly feeling upon the part of Admiral Sigsbee, whose asso¬ 
 ciation with the Spanish war has given him a place in our naval 
 history. In a letter to the discoverer of the North Pole, Ad¬ 
 miral Sigsbee, of the line, gives credit to the staff officer. Under 
 34239—8852 
 
33 
 
 date of February 9, addressing the civil engineer-explorer, he 
 says: 
 
 I have just heard that you are to be nominated for rear-admiral, or 
 with the rank of rear-admiral. No matter which way is proposed, I 
 stand for confirmation if the proper authorities, which I must consider, 
 approve the movement. You have made good, my dear Peary, and 
 have given immense prestige to our service. We can only be honored 
 in our grade of rear-admiral by your addition to our list. Your long 
 years of endeavor and your final success, as against heartbreaking con¬ 
 ditions, are magnificent. I wish you success. 
 
 FOREIGN'SCIENTISTS APPROVE FINDINGS. 
 
 To the testimony and the encomiums of such men I wish to 
 add two other messages with regard to the authenticity of the 
 Peary records. The report to the National Geographic Society 
 was plain. The three men who signed that report were better 
 qualified than any committee of Congress to pass upon the 
 Peary instruments and records. These three men certified to 
 an awaiting world that they had examined the records and the 
 instruments and found them true. Who were these three men? 
 Independent scientists who dared to stake their reputations 
 upon a falsehood or upon a superficial examination of the 
 facts? Let us see. First was Henry Gannett, an honored offi¬ 
 cer of the United States Government and president of its geo¬ 
 graphic board, a proven, trusted geographer and geologist; 
 O. H. Tittmann—and who was he?—the honored and respected 
 Chief of the Coast and Geodetic Survey of the United States, 
 under whose direction the coast lines of our country are sur¬ 
 veyed and inspected; and C. M. Chester, an honored and re¬ 
 spected officer of the United States Navy, educated at Annapo¬ 
 lis and advanced to the rank of rear-admiral (retired). Who 
 will dispute the integrity of these men, even though they acted 
 not in their official capacity, but as members of a voluntary 
 association? Surely no associated body of foreign scientists. 
 For the verdict of the National Geographic Society which 
 passed upon the report of these distinguished Americans has 
 been accepted without question by the Royal Geographical So¬ 
 ciety of London, the geographical societies of Berlin, Paris, 
 Geneva, Rome, Brussels, Antwerp, Vienna, Dresden, Madrid, 
 St. Petersburg, Tokyo, Mexico, Lima (Peru), the geographical 
 societies of Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia, and practi¬ 
 cally every geographical society in the world. 
 
 EXPLORERS ALSO APPROVE. 
 
 Moreover, in addition to Melville and Sigsbee, Peary’s achieve¬ 
 ments and the report of the National Geographic Society have 
 been received without question by Nansen, the Duke of Abruzzi, 
 Greely, Shackleton, and Scott. Wfith this strong array it 
 would seem that the only thing for Congress to do would be 
 to accept the verdict of the National Geographic Society with¬ 
 out further humiliation of the American explorer. It would 
 not wrongfully condemn an officer of its own selection; it could 
 not condemn an officer for doing literary work upon conditions 
 which were thoroughly understood in the correspondence and the 
 instructions, nor would it be likely to condemn an officer charged 
 to take the breastworks who captured the entire fortifications. 
 It may be argued that Commander Peary was not authorized 
 to extend his journey to the North Pole, but it would not be 
 contended by the American people that he should be censured 
 34239—8852 - 3 
 
r \ 
 
 34 
 
 because be succeeded in doing more tban the letter of bis in¬ 
 structions required. Nor will the sober judgment'of the Amer¬ 
 ican people approve the deprivation of Peary’s right to provide 
 for himself and family, notwithstanding the application of his 
 “ leave of absence pay ” while engaged in successful exploration. 
 
 But another point, Mr. Speaker, with which I shall now 
 deal pertains to the accuracy of Peary’s records. Was the ex¬ 
 amination of Peary’s records and instruments by the three dis¬ 
 tinguished scientists of the National Geographic Society a super¬ 
 ficial examination? Was it correct? Was it thorough? Was 
 it such an examination as Congress itself would require? Could 
 Congress improve upon the examination made by these three 
 men? Would any good purpose be served by such procedure, 
 and if followed would not Congress have to send for Messrs. 
 Gannett, Tittmann, and Chester to relieve its unscientific em¬ 
 barrassment? I question, Mr. Speaker, whether the produc¬ 
 tion of the instruments, the records, and the papers, so that 
 they might be strewn out in front of the Speaker’s desk, would 
 do aught but confuse and delay us. 
 
 AMERICAN SCIENTISTS COMPETENT. 
 
 Recur to the letter of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, 
 under date of March 12, 1910: 
 
 In October, 1909— 
 
 He says— 
 
 Mr. Peary transmitted to the Superintendent of the Coast Survey 
 21 volumes of tidal observations and also a profile of soundings from 
 Cape Columbia to within 5 miles of the pole— 
 
 And then he admonishes us— 
 
 A reduction of the tidal observations has been in progress for some 
 time, but owing to more pressing duties the final discussion of these 
 results has not yet^ been completed. 
 
 Have we the time or the disposition to examine this small 
 portion of Mr. Peary’s work, these 21 volumes of tidal ob¬ 
 servations which the great Department of Commerce and 
 Labor, because of “more pressing” duties, is unable to dis¬ 
 pose of? Pray, Mr. Speaker, who in this House feels that 
 his judgment in matters of this kind would be superior to that 
 of these three men, accredited officers of this Government, 
 specialists in their line, who have already reported thoroughly 
 upon this question? And if it be not Peary the victim, but 
 Peary the hero, whom we are after, why not, Mr. Speaker, 
 proceed to the Hydrographic Office and take note of the prog¬ 
 ress there made by the Navy Department in building new maps 
 of the world, which, thanks to the explorations of Peary, enable 
 us to carry American soundings to the pole? 
 
 I hope the joint resolution approving the report of Messrs. 
 Gannett, Tittmann, and Chester will be approved by this House. 
 I have wanted to make sure that there could be no mistake 
 about this report. Admiral Chester, unfortunately, is at this 
 time sojourning in Constantinople, Turkey, and therefore I 
 have been unable to reach him. But on his behalf I am au¬ 
 thorized to say that he can be quoted unreservedly as being 
 thoroughly convinced of the accuracy and indisputability of 
 Peary’s proofs, and that he “ spent many hours going over 
 Peary’s papers and observations, and reported most emphat¬ 
 ically as to the faithfulness and honesty of the reports.” Mr. 
 
 34239—8852 
 
’M U II 
 
 I V 
 
 I I 
 
 35 
 
 Gannett and Mr. Tittmann are both on duty at their accus- 
 tomed places in the city of Washington. I have asked them 
 whether, in the light of recent criticism of Mr. Peary, they still 
 stand by the report which they made to the National Geo¬ 
 graphic Society. 
 
 NO CHANGE OP OPINION, SAYS GANNETT. 
 
 I append their letters, written at my suggestion: 
 
 National Geographic Society, 
 
 Washington, D. C., March 17, 1910 L 
 
 Hon. J. Hampton Moore, 
 
 House of Representatives, United States, 
 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
 Dear Sir : I have yours of this date. 
 
 The report submitted to the National Geographic Society November 
 4, 1909, certifying that “ Commander Peary has submitted to this sub¬ 
 committee his original journal and records of observations, together 
 with all his instruments and apparatus and certain of the most im¬ 
 portant of the scientific results of his expedition,” and that “these have 
 been carefully examined by your subcommittee, and they are unani¬ 
 mously of the opinion that Commander Peary reached the North Pole 
 on April 6, 1909,” to which report my name is attached, was, and still 
 is, my unbiased statement of the records as I found them. This report 
 made by me and my colleagues to the National Geographic Society No¬ 
 vember 4, 1909, was true and accurate, and since that date my opinion 
 as to Mr. Peary’s discovery has not in anywise changed, nor would it 
 be changed if I should be called upon to make a report to the Congress 
 of the United States. 
 
 Very truly, yours, Henry Gannett, 
 
 . President National Geographic Society. 
 
 tittmann confirms the record. 
 
 2014 Hillyer Place NW., 
 Washington, D. G., March 18, 1910. 
 
 Dear Mr. Moore: I have your letter of the 17th. During the time 
 when a controversy about the discovery of the North Pole was acute in 
 this country I was in Europe and knew very little about it. I came 
 back entirely unbiased and served on the committee in that frame of 
 mind. 
 
 On the evidence before us I signed the report to the National Geo¬ 
 graphic Society with a full sense of its import. My opinion has under¬ 
 gone no change since the date of that report, and I am fully convinced 
 that Peary reached the pole. 
 
 Yours, truly, 0. H. Tittmann. 
 
 Hon. J. Hampton Moore, M. C., 
 
 Washington, D. O. ® 
 
 LET US “ LIVE AND LET LIVE.” 
 
 In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I respectfully submit that this 
 great country of ours can not afford to play the part of “ the 
 dog in the manger.” One of our own sons has accomplished 
 what in the estimation of men of progress and courage is re¬ 
 garded as heroic—surely without parallel. All other efforts, 
 from whatsoever source, have failed in the attempt to encom¬ 
 pass it. Men who distanced others, step by step, in the strug¬ 
 gle “ farthest north,” have been sung and honored for their 
 unsuccessful efforts. We can not afford to ignore our own 
 citizen who ultimately reached the goal. The spirit of icono- 
 clasm prevails to a greater extent to-day perhaps than ever. 
 We are not a nation of idol worshippers, but we have ever 
 preached and taught the doctrine of progress, the spirit of the 
 initiative; that spirit of incentive and action which we have been 
 proud to denominate American. When a brave young officer 
 of the navy volunteers, at the risk of his life, to sink the Merri¬ 
 mack in the harbor of Santiago, and performs a feat which 
 excites the admiration of the world, we ought not to cast him 
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 36 
 
 down. If some hitherto unknown commander in the navy 
 strikes the death blow to a hostile power in Manila Bay, it is 
 cruelty to anathematize him the moment he sets his foot again 
 upon American sail. In our great political dispensation, with 
 faction contending against faction, it is to be expected that 
 criticism and ridicule may be employed to dethrone a leader 
 whose pretenses will not stand the test of popular approval; but 
 if men go forth to battle, or venture into the field of discovery, 
 or employ their talents and their genius to expand and glorify 
 the country, we ought not, in all fairness, in all honor, in all 
 decency, deny them that recognition the hope of which is the 
 inspiration and the sum of their performances. 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 [H. J. Res. 169, Sixty-first Congress, second session.] 
 
 In the House of Representatives. March 11, 1910. Mr. Moore of 
 Pennsylvania introduced the following joint resolution, which was re¬ 
 ferred to the Committee on Naval Affairs and ordered to be printed. 
 Joint resolution accepting as true and competent a report to the Na¬ 
 tional Geographic Society by Henry Gannett, O. H. Titlmann, and 
 C. M. Chester, relating to the discovery of the North Pole by Com¬ 
 mander Robert E. Peary, April 6, 1909. 
 
 Whereas it is generally acknowledged throughout the world that Com¬ 
 mander Robert E. Peary, an American, while in the service of the 
 United States of America and under orders from the Navy Department, 
 discovered the North Pole on April 6, 1909, an achievement which was 
 at once a tribute to American skill and perseverance and the consum¬ 
 mation vainly sought by explorers of all the nations through all the 
 ages ; and • 
 
 Whereas the proof of this important discovery was duly attested 
 after an examination of the records of Commander Peary by a commit¬ 
 tee of the National Geographic Society, which, in its report to the 
 board of managers of said society, at Hubbard Memorial Hall, Wash¬ 
 ington, D. C., on November 4, 1909, said : 
 
 “ Commander Peary has submitted to this subcommittee his original 
 journal and records of observations, together with all his instruments 
 and apparatus and certain of the most important of the scientific results 
 of his expedition. These have been carefully examined by your subcom¬ 
 mittee, and they are unanimously of the opinion that Commander Peary 
 reached the North Pole on April 6, 1909. 
 
 “ They also feel warranted in stating that the organization, plan, 
 and management of the expedition, its complete success, and its scien¬ 
 tific results reflect the greatest credit on the ability of Commander 
 Robert E. Peary, and render him worthy of the highest honors that the 
 National Geographic Society can bestow upon him.” And 
 
 Whereas the committee of the National Geographic Society which 
 examined the records of Commander Peary and presented the report 
 above referred to was composed of three distinguished scientists of the 
 United States, all of them (though in this relation acting for the 
 National Geographic Society) in the service of the United States, to 
 wdt: Henry Gannett, chairman of the National Geographic Board ; O. H. 
 Tittmann, superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey ; and Rear- 
 Admiral C. M. Chester, United States Navy, retired ; and 
 
 Whereas since the report of said American scientists and trusted offi¬ 
 cials of the United States was made by them in their capacity as com¬ 
 mitteemen of the National Geographic Society credence has been given 
 their findings by all the great scientific bodies of the world, to the great 
 honor and glory of the United States of America : Therefore be it 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress accepts the above-mentioned report of 
 Henry Gannett, chairman of the United States Geographic Board ; O. H. 
 Tittmann, superintendent of the Ccast and Geodetic Survey ; and Rear- 
 Admiral C. M. Chester, United States Navy, retired, as submitted by 
 them to the National Geographic Society November 4, 1909, as a true 
 and competent statement, to which shall be accorded the same con¬ 
 sideration and respect it would be entitled to receive if made officially 
 to the Congress of the United States. 
 
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