- Also, amid many opinions held in equal repute, I chose always the most moderate, as much for the reason that these are always the most convenient for practice, and probably the best, (for all excess is generally vicious,) as that, in the event of my falling into error, I might be at less distance from the truth than if, having chosen one of the extremes, it should turn out to be the other which I ought to have adopted.
- Report of the International polar expedition to Point Barrow, Alaska, in response to the resolution of the [U.S.] House of representatives of December 11, 1884 (archive.org)
The Secretary of War has the honor to transmit to the House of Representatives the report of the International Polar Expedition to Point Barrow, Alaska, together with the letter of the Chief Signal Officer of the Army, of this date, submitting the report to this Department, the same being furnished in response to the resolution of the House of Representatives of December 11, 1884, as follows : “Resolved, That the Secretary of War be requested to transmit to the House of Representatives, if not inconsistent with the public service, the report of the International Polar Expedition to Point Barrow, Alaska, by Lieut. P. H. Ray, U. S. Army, for the years 1881, 1882, and 1883.” ROBERT T. LINCOLN, Secretary of War.