168 DEMI-OFFICIAL LETTERS. [April, 



lunteering will satisfy me ! If new crews are sent from 

 England to hold ' North Star/ then a party could pro- 

 ceed back to extricate one or both. Strike topmasts, and 

 get everything on deck. 



" If you had not been so pinched, I think you would 

 have derived some satisfaction by following up the pos- 

 sible tracks of Collinson by Cape Walker, Cape Batty, 

 and Port Leopold, and even of conducting him to ' North 

 Star;' I am not without hope that Pullen will." 



But let us proceed with the further matter, for it is 

 entirely public, contained in Captain Kellett's letter. 



" M'Clintock is a sound and safe man, who will give 

 you any information that I omitted. Are your vessels 

 safe to get out ? Even mine in a harbour or on shore, 

 hauled up, would be well ; but they are not, and must 

 be sacrificed." 



With Commander M'Clintock I fully discussed the 

 matter for two days before those definitive Instructions 

 were delivered to him, so that it can hardly be imagined 

 that the case was not thoroughly sifted in all its bearings ; 

 indeed Captain Kellett had my further confidential argu- 

 ments upon the measure by a demi-official of the same 

 date : thus, 



" My actions, my good friend, must stand the public 

 test in England, and he is a weak Commander who gives 

 reasons for his conduct before they are demanded by 

 authority. 



" All my letters will probably be demanded, and they 

 must all accord in the same determination, understood 

 fully by the two late First Lords, to whom I must leave 

 any defence that may be demanded. I will not deceive 



