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  4. Document 126

No. 126.
Mr. Pierrepont to Mr. Evarts.

Legation of the United States,
London , July 16, 1877. (Received July 30.)
No. 194.]

Sir: Referring to your instruction No. 155, of the 22d of May last, I have the honor to inclose a copy of the correspondence which has passed between this legation and the foreign office in regard to the relics of the United States steamer Polaris, and also of a letter from Sir Allen Young accompanying the box containing the relics in question, which box I shall cause to be transmitted to the Department of State by an early opportunity. I also inclose my reply.

I have, &c.,

EDWARDS PIERREPONT.
[Inclosure 1 in. No. 194.]

Mr. Pierrepont to the Earl of Derby.

Legation of the United States,
London , June 8, 1877.

My Lord: I am informed by Mr. Evarts that he had received a communication, under date of the 16th of May, from the Secretary of the Navy of the United States, to the effect that private advices had reached the Navy Department from Capt. Sir Allen Young, of Her Majesty’s ship Pandora, stating that he had obtained relics of the United States steamer Polaris from Littleton Island, which place he visited subsequently to [Page 264] Sir George Nares, and inquiring in what manner they could be forwarded to the United States Government if desired. I have the honor to ask your lordship’s attention to this subject and to state that I shall be happy to receive the relics of the Polaris and to transmit them to the Department of State. And I beg at the same time to express the thanks of the Navy Department of the United States to the proper authorities for the preservation and presentation of these interesting curiosities.

I have, &c.,

EDWARDS PIERREPONT.

The Earl of Derby, &c., &c.

[Inclosure 2 in No. 194.]

Lord Derby to Mr. Pierrepont.

Foreign Office , June 28, 1877.

Sir: I referred to the lords of the admiralty your letter of the 8th instant, and. I have now the honor to acquaint you that I am informed that Sir Allen Young has been requested to communicate with your legation as to the transfer to your custody of the relics of the United States steamer Polaris, which were brought home by him from Littleton Island.

I have, &c.,

DERBY.

The Hon. Edwards Pierrepont, &c.,&c.

[Inclosure 3 in No. 194.]

Sir Allen Young to Mr. Pierrepont.

12, Stratton Street,
London , July 10, 1877.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that, with reference to the desire of the lords commissioners of admiralty, I have great pleasure in forwarding the relics of the United States exploring ship Polaris, which I found on Littleton Island last autumn, and brought to England in the Pandora.

The records of Captain Harstene, United States Navy, which I also found on Sutherland Island, have already been transmitted to the United States Government.

I have, &c.,

ALLEN YOUNG.

The Hon. Edwards Pierrepont,
&c., &c.

[Inclosure 4 in No. 194.]

Mr. Pierrepont to Sir Allen Young.

Legation of the United States,
London , July 13, 1877.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 10th instant> accompanying the relics of the United States exploring ship Polaris, which you found on Littleton Island last autumn and brought to England in the Pandora. I shall be happy to take these relics into my charge, and, in accordance with your request, to transmit them to the care of the Department of State.

I beg at the same time to renew to you the thanks of my government for the preservation of these interesting curiosities.

I have, &c.,

  • EDWARDS PIERREPONT.
  • Sir Allen Young,
    Commander Arctic Exploring-ship Pandora.