shore. Having supplied all
demands generously, succored the needy to the number of 275 between
Point Barrow and Kotzebue Sound, taking on board the _Bear_ 146
whalemen, 91 of whom were brought to the Pacific coast (the remainder
having of their own volition left the ship _en route_), the vessel
arrived back at Seattle on the 13th of September, after an absence in
the bleak and dreary regions of Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean of about
seventeen months.

The hardships and perils encountered by the members of the overland
expedition in their great journey through an almost uninhabited region,
a barren waste of ice and snow, facing death itself every day for nearly
four months, over a route never before traveled by white men, with no
refuge but at the end of the journey, carrying relief and cheer to 275
distressed citizens of our country, all make another glorious page in
the history of American seamen. They reflect by their heroic and gallant
struggles the highest credit upon themselves and the Government which
they faithfully served. I commend this heroic crew to the grateful
consideration of Congress and the American people.

The year just closed has been fruitful of noble achievements in the
field of war; and while I have commended to your consideration the
names of heroes who have shed luster upon the American name in valorous
contests and battles by land and sea, it is no less my pleasure to
invite your attention to a victory of peace the results of which cannot
well be magnified, and the dauntless courage of the men engaged stamps
them as true heroes, whose services cannot pass unrecognized.

I have therefore the honor to submit the following recommendations and
to ask your favorable action thereon:

1. That the thanks of Congress be voted to Capt. Francis Tuttle,
Revenue-Cutter Service, and the officers and enlisted men composing his
command for their able and gallant services.

2. That the thanks of Congress be extended to the members of the
overland expedition; First Lieut. David H. Jarvis, Revenue-Cutter
Service, commanding the overland expedition; to Second Lieut. Ellsworth
P. Bertholf, Revenue-Cutter Service, and to Dr. Samuel J. Call, Surgeon.

3. That gold medals of honor of appropriate design, to be approved by
the Secretary of the Treasury, be awarded to Lieutenants Jarvis and
Bertholf and Dr. Call, commemorative of their heroic struggles in aid of
suffering fellow-men.

4. That the sum of $2,500 b