Office of the Historian
No. 504.

Mr. Bayard to Lieut William H. Schuetze, U. S. N.

[Extract.]
Department of State,
Washington, July 3, 1885.

Sir: The President of the United States, in accordance with the suggestions of the Secretary of the Navy, recommended Congress, by a special message of January 27, 1885, to authorize him to bestow testimonials upon those officers and subjects of the Russian Government who extended aid and comfort to the survivors of the Jeannette Arctic exploring expedition and assistance to the parties dispatched by the United States Government to relieve and succor the said survivors, and to convey to the Government and people of Russia an expression of the high appreciation in which the Government and people of the United States hold the humane services so rendered.

In accordance with this advice, Congress, on the 3d March last, voted a sum of money for the above purpose, and this Department, on the 6th April, requested the Secretary of the Navy to detail a competent officer to take charge of the presents to be sent to Russia, and to personally deliver them, with the thanks of the President and people of the United States, to the officials and citizens in question.

In compliance with this request, the Secretary of the Navy has designated you to have charge of the purchase of the articles which this Government proposes to send to the benefactors of the survivors of the ill-starred Jeannette expedition, and to convey the same to Siberia for distribution, and to report to this Department for orders.

You are, therefore, hereby instructed to proceed without undue delay, and by the most expeditious and available route, to Russian Siberia, and deliver to the governor of Yakutsk the letter of this Department addressed to him (and the accompanying sword) and to the other officials in Yakutsk, Irkutsk, Tomsk, and Omsk, the letters, watches, medals, and presents, as described in the list which accompanies this instruction; and at the same time to express to all the recipients, in the most fitting terms, the thanks and appreciation of the President, the Secretary of the Navy, and the people of the United States, for the noble and humane manner in which they directly and materially aided the survivors of the Jeannette and the parties sent out to search for them.

You will receive a letter of credit on the bankers of the United States at London for the payment of the amounts in the annexed list (aggregating, [Page 667] with cost of stores, $2,600), and for your expenses, in respect of which you will duly account to this Department on your return.

I have instructed our minister at St. Petersburg to render you all necessary assistance in his power, and to ask for the free entry of your personal effects and of the testimonials, &c., which you convey, and the extension of proper courtesies to you on your arrival. You will report the details of your mission to this Department on your return, and keep me informed by the ordinary channels of your progress at such periods as may seem to you convenient and desirable. * * *

Transmitting herewith the letters to Russian officials named in the accompanying list and copies thereof, and wishing you an agreeable and successful journey,

I am, &c.,

T. F. BAYARD.
[Inclosure.]

List of letters to—

(1)
His high excellency Governor-General Lieutenant-General Dmitri Gavrilovitch Ann chin (Irkutsk).
(2)
His high excellency Governor-General Lieutenant-General Guerassin Alexeievitch Kalpokoffsky (Omsk).
(3)
His excellency Governor Major-General Serge Ivanovitch Nassovich (Irkutsk).
(4)
The mayor of Irkutsk, M. Demidoff.
(5)
His excellency. &c, the Counselor of State Vasili Ivanovitch Mertsaloff (Tomsk).
(6)
M. Edmund de Lagrené, consul-general of France (Moscow)
(7)
Medical Director R. Kapello (Yakutsk).
(8)
His excellency General Peter Sivers (Irkutsk).
(9)
Count Emil Ahlefeldt Laurwigen (St. Petersburg).
(10)
His excellency Maj. Gen. George Tchernaieff, governor of Yakutsk, Siberia.

Special rewards.

(1)
Sword for governor of Yakutsk.
(2)
Gold watch and silver medal for Ispranovich Kackaroffski.
(3)
The same for Ispranovich Ipatieff of Verchoyansk.
(4)
Gold medal and sporting rifle for Cossack Baurschoff; also $200.
(5)
Silver medal and $100 for Cossack Kalinkin.
(6)
For Cossack Boshedonoff, $50.
(7)
Gold watch for Mr. Stepanoff, of Vusca.
(8)
For Mr. Thoman, $300.
(9)
Gold watch for Mr. Charles Lee.
(10)
Silver medal for Constantin Bobskoff.
(11)
Silver medal for Jnokin Grombeck.

For natives of Lena Delta.

(1)
Gold medal and $200 for Vassili Bobronsky.
(2)
Gold medal and $100 for Irvin Androssoff.
(3)
The same for Constantin Mokoploff.
(4)
Silver medal for Peter Arrara.
(5)
Silver medal for Leips, of Veberin.
(6)
Silver medal for Alexai Atkassoff.
(7)
Silver medal for Michael Atkassoff.
(8)
Silver medal for Maxim Stepanoff.
(9)
Silver medal for Tarras Savin.
(10)
Silver medal for Nicola Vinakuroff.
(11)
Gold medal to Obermashrie Chumobor.
(12)
Gold medal to Maxim Corinonoi.
(13)
Gold medal and $100 to Nicolai Diakonoff.

And to each of these one email bore muzzle-loading ritle, cases and ammnnition included.

[Page 668]

To the criminal exiles.

(1)
Kusma Eremiroff, $250.
(2)
Tafin Kopaloff, $100.
(3)
Feodor Scrannoff, $100.

And for general distribution the stores recommended in original letter of Navy Department, $1,000.

Department of State,
Washington, July 3, 1885.

Excellency: I am directed by the President of the United States to convey to your excellency his most sincere thanks, and those of the people of the United States, for the distinguished and most opportune services rendered by you to the survivors of the Jeannette Arctic exploring expedition and to the relief parties sent out in search of them, which were, thus enabled to accomplish the objects of their sad mission.

The President likewise begs your acceptance of the accompanying sword as a further testimonial of the enduring gratitude of the American people and their Chief Magistrate for your excellency’s powerful and valuable assistance in time of need.

With best wishes for your excellency’s continued health and welfare, be pleased to accept the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.

T. F. BAYARD.

His excellency Maj. Gen. Georgf Tchernaieff,
Governor of Yakutsk, Siberia.

Department of State,
Washington, July 3, 1885.

High Excellency: I am directed by the President of the United States of America to express his heartfelt thanks, and those of the people of the United States, for the honors shown by yourself and the officers under your command to the remains of the late Lieutenant-Commander De Long, of the United States Navy, and his companions of the Jeannette Arctic exploring expedition on their passage through Siberia, which will ever be remembered with appreciation and gratitude by this nation and serve to strengthen the feelings of friendship and good will already existing between the Empire of Russia and the United States of America.

Be pleased to accept, high excellency, the assurances of my most distinguished consideration.

T. F. BAYARD.

His high excellency Lieut. Gen. Dmitri Gavrilovitch Anuchin,
Governor-General, Irkutsk.

The same letter sent to the following:

  • His high excellency Lieut. Gen. Guerassin Alexéievitch Kalpoffsky, governor general, Omsk.
  • His excellency Maj. Gen. Serge Ivanovitch Nassovich, governor, Irkutsk.
  • M. Demidoif, mayor of Irkutsk, Irkutsk.
  • His excellency the Counsellor of State, Vasili Ivanovitch Mertsaloff, Tomsk.

Department of State,
Washington, July 3, 1885.

Sir: The President of the United States of America directs me to convey his sincere thanks, and those of the people of the United States, to you, and the gentlemen under your orders, for the humane and valuable services rendered to the survivors of the Jeannette Arctic exploring expedition, and to the parties sent in search of them.

Nothing could have been more appreciated by this nation or have contributed more to confirm and increase the cordial feelings entertained towards the Empire of Russia.

Accept, sir, the cordial assurances of my distinguished consideration.

T. F. BAYARD.

To Medical Director R. Kapello, Yakutsk.

The same letter sent to following:

  • His excellency General Peter Sivers, Irkutsk.
  • Count Emil Ahlefeldt Laurwigen, St. Petersburg.

[Page 669]
Department of State,
Washington, July 3, 1885.

Mr. Consul-General: The President of the United States of America directs me to express to you his sincere thanks, and those of the people of the United States, for great attention shown by you to the parties sent in search of the survivors of the Jeannette Arctic exploring expedition, and the respect and honors paid by you to the remains of Lieutenant-Commander De Long and his comrades, as they passed through Russia on their way to their native land.

Be pleased to accept, Mr. Consul-General, the assurances of my distinguished consideration.

T. F. BAYARD.

Mr. Edmund De Lagrené,
Consul-General of France, Moscow.