| Description | Sent from the 'Discovery' at its Winter Quarters, marked as report number six. Scott has received the Presidents' letter of 4 July 1902, but was unable to reply sooner due to unexpected circumstances.
E H [Ernest Henry] Shackleton is one of the men departing, who will be able to explain the 'defective nature of the stores'. Scott has informed the Scientific officers about the Presidents' arrangements regarding specimens and scientific notes, which have met with approval. Also discusses the wages bill, and Scott argues that [Thomas Vere] Hodgson and Dr [Edward Adrian] Wilson deserve increases in their salary for their work on the expedition. Notes that the relief ship the 'Morning' arrived within ten miles of the 'Discovery' on 23 January. Captain Colbeck reports that the ice in their vicinity is 'extraordinarily packed'. Scott notes that it will be impossible to send scientific collections and notes back on the 'Morning' in the time available.
The following items were enclosed with this letter: A description of the ship's position [see MS/591/1/4]; a brief summary of proceedings [see MS/591/1/5; a list of men discharged from the expedition aboard the 'Morning' [not present]; a list of men remaining on the 'Discovery' [not present]; a list of stores required for the following year [not present] |