246 GIST OF MY INSTRUCTIONS. 



In the case before us, I will imagine that I had decided 

 on leaving out the ' Talbot' with a reduced crew. Such 

 a measure inevitably entailed on me delay until she was 

 cut in, and, to my judgment, safely placed for the winter. 

 I set aside the bugbears raised, as to the asserted diffi- 

 culties in clearing Lancaster Sound ; but be it remem- 

 bered that the safety of the 'North Star/ in 1852 to 

 1854, in that position, was determined by others, and 

 fully acknowledged by me, to be doubtful or dangerous ; 

 that in the winter of 1852 this was proved to be fear- 

 fully true ; moreover, that, aided by the Squadron force 

 of 176 men, she only reached the water on the 21st of 

 August ! 



What opinion, then, would be formed of my judgment, 

 or of the fulfiment of the pledge under which I sailed ? 

 That I did not err in its conception, I give the words 

 themselves, expressing full approbation of my views. 



" You were sent out in the last hope (if hope it could 

 be called) of saving Sir John Franklin and his compa- 

 nions; to discover some traces of their fate; to meet and 

 aid, so far as possible, the Expeditions of Captains Col- 

 linson and M'Clure; and when you thought all had been 

 done which could be done for the attainment of these 

 objects, you were not to linger, but to bring your crews 

 home. 



" I selected you because I thought you had energy 

 to do what could be done; next, judgment to come to a 

 proper decision ; and, when you judged you could do no 

 more, would have the courage to act on your judgment, 

 and to return home. 



" As far as I am informed, 1 have been satisfied with 

 your conduct on all these important points." 



