112 REPORTS or PROCEEDINGS. [February, 



22. In tliis latter part of your Instructions you will have to bear in 

 mind that you are seeking persons, in all probability, in want of suste- 

 nance; and therefore no question of " expeditious travelling" must be 

 suffered to interfere with the full load of provision which may be avail- 

 able ; and you must also bear in mind my object of placing on Cape 

 Bunny, on the eastern side of Peel's Straits, a large cache, in the event 

 of Captain Collinson coining up that Channel or calling at Cape Walker 

 on a northern march. Especial sealed notices will be supplied for that 

 branch of the Searching Division. 



23. By the accompanying table you will understand my final ar- 

 rangements, by which the entire southern lines will be traversed by 

 Commander Pullen, Lieutenant May, and possibly by Lieutenant Cheyne. 



24. Your provisions have been increased in bread and meat, under 

 the conviction that on this second season men should eat all that appe- 

 tite can render salubrious. Indeed, it must be excited by herbs and 

 other adjuncts supplied. I cannot therefore urge more than the pre- 

 servation of all which is not consumed. 



25. This does not apply to spirits ; my own experience satisfies me 

 that the men are enervated even by their present allowance, and, imme- 

 diately after it is drunk, are not fit for undue exertion. It is possible 

 that it may not injure them before sleeping, but its entire loss would 



not grieve me. 



26. I now arrive at a subject which I would wish to avoid ; but the 

 duty I have to perform renders it imperative. I have to report "instan- 

 ter" my proceedings. Under my former orders, unfortunately those of 

 my predecessor, I enjoined journals " within a reasonable period" after 

 return. In some few cases they were sent in. But that order, or rather 

 request (for it has not been responded to as an order), I shall super- 

 sede. The custom of the service requires, copy of track-chart and re- 

 port of proceedings. This will enable me to execute my duty ; and I 

 decline receiving any further journals, for which I shall have full rea- 

 sons to give to my superiors, should they require them. 



27. You will therefore on your return furnish me, within forty-eight 

 working hours, with your report of proceedings, track-chart, or the one 

 you made use of, and explain verbally any matters I may not then ask 

 for in writing. But your journal of proceedings you will prepare for 

 their Lordships. With matter concocted on board I have nothing to 

 do : it belongs to your private journal. The idea of waiting three 

 months for a report of proceedings is too absurd, unless where daily 

 verbal explanation has put me fin coiirant with all that I required. 



