Charles R. Lowell to Lieut. Greely, June 10, 1880

Mr. Lowell to Lieut. Greely.

Sir: On the 28th ultimo I received a cable message from the honorable the Secretary State, directing me to inquire if supplies stored north of Gape York by the British Arctic Expedition, 1875—’76, remain and may be used in case of urgent necessity by the Polar expedition now organizing under the United States Signal Office, and if the reply was favorable to telegraph Mr. Evarts the fact and to send by mail a full list to Lieut. Greely, American consulate, St. John’s, Newfoundland.

I caused these inquiries to be made immediately, and was informed that the admiralty had decided on the 28th of May last to offer these stores for the use of our Polar expedition.

I telegraphed this information to Mr. Evarts on the 29th of May last.

On the 9th instant I received from Earl Granville a note, dated on the 7th instant, in relation to this matter, and also a chart and a statement of the scale on which the rations referred to in the chart are calculated.

In obedience to my instructions, I now forward to you this chart and also copies of Earl Granville’s note and the accompanying statements.

On the 9th instant I received from Mr. Evarts a dispatch repeating the message he had sent by cable, and inclosing a copy of the letter addressed by yourself to the Department of State.

I am, &c.,