in his letter, to some propositions which he knew I made in the year 1828, at the command of his present Majesty, then Lord High Admiral, on the same subject; and particularly to the suggestion as to proceeding from Repulse or Wager Bay. A recent careful

reading of all the narratives, connected with the surveys of the Wager and Repulse Bays, and of Sir Edward Parry's voyage, together with the information obtained from the Esquimaux by Sir E. Parry, Sir Jas. Ross, and Capt. Back, confirm me in the opinion that a successful delineation of the coast east of Point Turnagain to the Strait of the Fury and Hecla,' would be best attained by an expedition proceeding from Wager Bay; the northern parts of which cannot, I think, be farther distant than forty miles from the sea. The plan, therefore, that I recommend, is to send two vessels to Wager Bay. Keeping outside of Southampton Island, make

the best of their way through the Frozen Strait to Wager Bay. The narrowest part of the isthmus appears to be from Savage Sound, though it will probably be found not much broader from Douglas Harbour, where the vessels would be more secure. The rela

tive breadth, however, would be ascertained by a light party in two or three days; and in the most eligible place thus ascertained the portage should be made. . . I would propose sending two parties from the point on which the embarkation can be effected, the one to trace the coast westward towards the part Capt. Back reached, and onwards to Point Turnagain, if practicable; and the other to follow the east shore of Prince Regent's Inlet, up to the Straits of Hecla and Fury-and further, if necessary to settle the geographical question as to the north-east termination of the land. . . There is little doubt in my mind of the western party reaching the mouth of Back's River without more than the ordinary interruptions of such a coasting voyage. But here a doubt presents itself to my mind, grounded on the Esquimaux authority, which it is fair to state; viz., whether the supposed strait, between the farthest land seen by Capt. Back and that reached by Capt. James Ross, does exist: if it fortunately do, then the tracing of the coast, as far as Point Turnagain, could be continued by the same course of proceeding; if it do not, then a portage would have to be made to effect that object; the extent of which is not at present known, and which might require more time to accomplish than one season would allow. This doubt causes me to look with particular pleasure on the suggestion of Dr. Richardson, as to completing the survey eastward of Point Turnagain from the Coppermine River; if the land be continuous from

the most northern point seen by Capt. Back to that visited by Capt. James Ross, and no strait should intervene, then unquestionably the boats would be best placed on the WESTERN side of that land for the survey of its coast, which might perhaps be continued up to Cape Walker, and thereby gain well grounded information for the guidance of the ships, which I trust will be sent on the North-West Passage. Should the strait in question be found to exist, then the expedition, proceeding eastward from the Coppermine River, and that tracing the coast westward from Regent Inlet, would in all probability meet, if they should set forward on their respective enterprises the same season, which might be done."

Sir John Franklin concludes, after volunteering again for this arduous service, in these words :-"You know, I am sure, that no service is nearer to my heart than the completion of the survey of the north coast of America, and the accomplishment of a North-West Passage."

We now add the communication from Capt. (now Admiral Sir Francis) Beaufort, Hydrographer to the Admiralty, an authority not to be doubted. In it is reviewed the opinions of the three preceding distinguished men.*

"Every year seems to bring forward some accession of interest to the great question of the North-West Passage and of the northern configuration of America; and the resolution of our Society, at the meeting of the 8th instant (Feb. 1836), that the Government should be petitioned to despatch an expedition to that quarter, having led to the appointment of this Committee, I have ventured to state my sentiments on the three plans that have been suggested.

"One of these plans boldly urges the direct accomplishment of the North-West Passage by sea; the other two confine themselves to the completion of the coast, either by an inland line of communication, or by the transport of boats from Hudson's Bay; and all three are from such high authorities, so strongly recommended, and so ably urged, that I hope, whatever may be the result, the Council will print them in our Journal.

"That there is an open and, at times, a navigable sea passage between the straits of Davis and Behring there can be no doubt in the mind of any person who has duly weighed the evidence; and it is equally certain that it would be an intolerable disgrace to this country were the flag of any other nation to be borne through it before our own. "Whenever the wisdom of Government shall think fit to solve this # " 'Royal Geographical Society's Journal,” vol. vi., part i., p. 47.

great problem, I am satisfied that the mode proposed by Sir John Barrow is the most prudent that could be adopted. By trying one of the eastern openings which he mentions, the vessels would proceed from home fresh and unexhausted, and if met by insuperable obstacles, or arrested by unusual severity of weather, they would be carried back by the prevalent current to the eastward, or they would winter there with security; whereas, if, already harassed by a long voyage round Cape Horn, they were to plunge from the westward into those unknown regions, and if from any cause they were unable to penetrate them, they could neither return against the joint pressure of ice and current, nor communicate their situation to any settlement, nor even hope for assistance. To seize the proper moment for effecting this ambitious object is solely the duty of Government, and the resulting credit, both at home and throughout the world, will be solely theirs. In the meantime, it appears to be no less the duty of the Geographical Society to recommend an humble and more temporary field of action —more appropriate to the nature of our Institution, more easy and economical in its execution, and more certain and rapid in its result.

“Under this impression, I would entreat the Council to take every means they possess of persuading Government to fit out a small expedition this summer for Wager Bay, according to the general plan set forth by Sir John Franklin; and I beg leave here to observe, that completing the coast line would necessarily throw much valuable light on the direction and facilities of the passage, while even the accomplishment of the passage (as supposed to exist) could scarcely contribute anything to the determination of the coast line. Further, an expedition aiming at the passage and failing would do almost nothing for geographical science; whereas, an expedition along the coast, however incomplete, must add something to our existing stock of positive knowledge. If this proposition should be adopted by Government as the principal feature of the plan, I would now suggest that the expedition should consist of two small vessels; that they should sail in May for Wager Strait (Inlet ?), where, a full reconnoissance of the isthmus being made, and the opposite gulf being probably gained, one vessel should be comfortably secured for the winter, and the other should return home to impart the progress and prospects of her consort. The object of the above process is, that by gradually uniting the known parts of the coast we should vanquish all difficulties by quiet and moderate efforts, attended by little expense and less risk; and, like a skilful general, basing our operations on points already in possession, we should secure every step of our advance, as well as

preserve every facility for our retreat." It will at once be seen-every known view of the subject is here clearly and succinctly given-not a single object is passed over or slurred, whether regarding the health and comfort of the crews or their safety, the expense, &c., still all is made subservient to the great object in view-the discovery of "the Passage."

66

There is yet another communication to which we must refer-one from Sir John Ross* (addressed to Capt. Maconochie, R.N., secretary to the Royal Geographical Society); this communication breathes the same national spirit regarding the North-West Passage. Alluding to a previous meeting of the Society, he says,-"I was gratified to find the question of a North-West Passage was again to be taken into serious consideration, that my country should gain the glory of deciding a question to which so much importance has been attached." Sir John gives his "unqualified approval to Sir John Franklin's plan;" but observing, however, that much stress has been laid on the easterly current, it may be proper to remark that this current can be fully accounted for,-in the summer by the melting of snow, which produces rivers equal in size to the Thames, and in winter by the continual north winds, which keep the ice in constant motion in Prince Regent's Inlet, and which we often observed to raise the sea near our hut many feet. This would produce the effect mentioned, and the easterly current in Hecla and Fury' Strait is, therefore, no proof of a passage at the bottom of the Gulf of Boothia." "With respect to the expedition which has been recommended to pursue the route of Sir Edward Parry, although decidedly in favour of the expediency of such an * "Royal Geographical Society's Journal," vol. vi., part i., pp. 47-50.

We cannot subscribe to this theory to account for the easterly current; the melting of the snow and the wind may have great temporary and local influence, but are insufficient to generate the general easterly current known to exist: numerous instances could be given of the ice being carried to windward by the current, -even in opposition to a strong wind.

‡ True, it is no proof of a passage, nor is it to the contrary; still it favours rather than opposes the idea of one existing. At this time there was quite a controversy as to whether a passage existed between the estuary of the great Fish (Back's) River and Prince Regent's Inlet. Sir John Ross, Dr. King, and others, thought there was no passage. Sir George Back, and others (amongst the rest, our humble selves), believed there was. We shall give the opinions of Sir George Back and Dr. King, formed on the same spot; but previous to doing so we will draw attention to a "log of drift wood, but little soddened with water," found near Point Ogle. The former, by a rational course of reasoning, thinks it came from the Mackenzie from the westward; the latter, from an Indian report of a river (the Fish River ?) to the eastward, thinks it came from thence. We will now give

expedition," Sir John "cannot subscribe to the plans proposed for carrying it into effect." In this he alludes to the means to be employed, which we have nothing to do with. The plan for solving the question of a North-West Passage is here under consideration. "It is on the probability that a passage exists about due south of Melville Island—that is, between it and Cape Walker-that this expedition has been proposed; and although all the indications which were originally held out as imperative and inseparable from its existence, have been, over and over again, disproved by every expedition, I am not now disposed to dispute the question, especially as a proof of its non-existence would be almost equally important.* I admit, therefore, it is still a national question." Sir John then asks, “Why did not Sir Edward Parry attempt, with his ships, the method now pro* Here is another assertion betraying either great ignorance or violent prejudice. So far from all the "indications imperative and inseparable" to a passage south between Melville Island and Cape Walker, being "over and over again disproved by every expedition," what will our readers say, when they learn, not a single expedition had been sent in that direction since the time of Parry's first discoveries in 1819 and 1820!

the recorded opinions of these gentlemen as to a Passage :

open sea.

"From Cape Hay, the land, blue in the distance, trended north-north-east, when it dipped the horizon; but a little space, however, intervened to a land gradually rising in boldness, following a north-westerly course, the extremes of which were named Points James Ross and Booth. My impression was, that the sea formed a deep bay in that direction."

"To the north-east there were water and ice, and beyond it a dark grey or what is denominated a water sky; while from the east to Cape Hay there was an Whether the north-eastern clear space is connected with, and a part of, the western gulf of Sir John Ross, I cannot undertake to determine; but I think I am warranted in an opinion that the Esquimaux outline, the sudden termination of Cape Hay, and the clear sea in that particular direction, are strong inferences in favour of the existence of a southern channel to Regent's Inlet."

This is all the evidence that could at the time be afforded on either side. Taking the above named "log of wood," which Dr. King himself supposes came from the eastward, and his "intervening space," we think the argument on both sides in favour of a passage to Regent's Inlet. Dr. Rae has since gone over the ground, and proved no passage does exist; still there was every reason to suppose one did; and such was the impression when Sir John Franklin sailed, to which we shall have occasion to revert at a future time. At any rate Sir John Ross could offer no proof to the contrary; and he would have done better to have inquired further for the origin of the easterly current than attempt to get rid of it by an indirect negative assertion. There might be a passage unknown to him, as "Bellot Strait."

* See Back's “Arctic Land Expedition to the Mouth of the Great Fish River," 1833-34-35, pp. 413-14, 424.

+ King's "Journey to the Shores of the Arctic Ocean," 1833-34-35.