"
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 21, 1884_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State of the 21st
instant, whereby your honorable body, and through you the people of the
United States, may become apprised of the generous contribution made by
Her Britannic Majesty's Government toward the efforts for the relief of
Lieutenant Greely's arctic exploring party by presenting to the United
States the arctic steamship _Alert_.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, _Washington, February 21, 1884_.
The PRESIDENT:
In the search for vessels suitable for the expedition now preparing to
relieve Lieutenant Greely and his party, attention was early directed to
the _Alert_, which is the property of the British Government, and
was the advance ship of the expedition under Sir George Nares. It was
desirable to secure this vessel, as she is peculiarly fitted for the
intended service, and as the inspecting officers recommended her Mr.
Lowell was therefore instructed to ask whether she could be spared for
the service.
Information of the wish of this Government having previously and
informally reached the British admiralty, a private intimation was
conveyed to the United States minister to the effect that the British
Government had not forgotten the very considerate conduct of this
Government on the occasion of the recovery of the _Resolute_, and
that should any suggestion be made that the vessel would be of use to
the expedition she would be presented.
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