1854.] RETURN OF M'CLINTOCK. 137 



Expedition in the direction of Melville Island. I accom- 

 panied Commander Richards on his first march from 

 ' Resolute/ so that when I received the information of 

 Dr. Domville's arrival, he was too distant for me to over- 

 take him with any party I had to send. 



"Lieutenant Hamilton returned on the 21st of June, 

 after an absence of fifty-four days. He visited our pre- 

 concerted rendezvous, and brought me from it your de- 

 spatch addressed ' Secretary of the Admiralty,' your letter 

 respecting it, and a private letter for myself. 



" Lieutenant Hamilton brought his party in, all well. 



" Lieutenant Meechain arrived the 6th of July, having 

 been absent ninety-four days. His party all well, with 

 the exception of one man, who has lost, I fear, the sight 

 of one eye. 



" Commander M'Clintock returned on the ISth of 

 July, after an absence of 105 days. The ground being 

 clear of snow, and very heavy, the ravines running with 

 impassable torrents, obliged him to abandon all his 

 equipment on the north side of Melville Island, about 

 two miles distant from the shore of Hecla and Griper 

 Bay. He walked in with his crew, carrying their knap- 

 sacks and a few provisions. All safe and well. 



" The accompanying tracing, with an abstract from 

 my travelling table, will show you the extent of coast 

 that has been searched (without finding the slightest trace 

 of man ever having been on it before), and what has been 

 added to our knowledge of the country by the officers 

 and crew of this ship. How ably and zealously they 

 must have done their duty to cover so much ground : 

 1618 miles discovered and walked over! 



