stefansson-wrangel-09-16-030-002

Melnyk

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what the Russians told Wells and what Wells told the Russians when
they landed? Especially, did he ask them to take himself and his
party from the island, and, if so, what was his motive in asking them
to do that?

You seem to be the only person to whom we have access
that has valuable information about certain phases of our expedition.
I hope you will, therefore, write me promptly, at as great length as you
can, about these and any other things that occur to you. It is possible
that if the letter comes quickly, I might be able to get it, or information
from it, into the English edition.

If after writing me this first letter you latet think
of other details, I hope you will send them on.

Just as a sign of my appreciation, I should like to
send you those of my books which you do not happen to own - since you
speak of having read some of them with interest, and wanting to read
whatever is printed. So please tell me which of my books you now have.

I am enclosing a carbon of the copy of your letter
as sent to my English publisher. You doubtless had no thought when
you were writing that your letter would be published as written, so
I have taken the liberty, as you notice, of making some very slight
changes, without altering the meaning but only making it a little
clearer in places by dividing and shortening the sentences, etc.

Mr. Ivan Melnyk,
c/o Hudson's Bay Company,
Hazelton, B.C.