ROBESON, Secretary of the Navy to Hamilton Fish, March 2, 1877

Mr. Robeson to Mr. Fish.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th of January last, inclosing copy of a note from Sir Edward Thornton, dated the 27th of that month, with its accompaniments, in relation to documents and stores belonging to the polar expedition under the late Capt. Charles F. Hall, which were recovered by Her Britannic Majesty’s ships Alert and Discovery on their recent exploration in the Arctic Seas.

The three cases containing the articles mentioned in the Schedule accompanying Capt. George S. Nares’s letter were also duly received.

The department is much pleased at being put in possession of these relics of the voyage of the Polaris, some of which are private property belonging to parties who were engaged in the expedition, and will, as far as possible, be restored to them.

I have the honor to request that the thanks of the department may be conveyed to the admiralty and to the officers of Her Majesty’s Government for their united efforts and success in collecting these articles, their care in packing, and prompt restoration of them to the department.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,