264 APPENDIX. 



4. For directions as to the course to be adopted in depositing no- 

 tices of your intentions, and of the supplies left in Moore Harbour, 

 their Lordships refer you to their instructions to Sir Edward Belcher, 

 and to the further remarks on that subject contained m Sir Edward 

 Belcher's letter to the Secretary of the Admiralty, of the 29th May 

 last, from Whalefish Islands. 



I am, Sir, 



Your most obedient servant, 



Commander MAGUIEE, W. A. B. HAMILTON. 



H.M. Discovery Ship Plover, 



Moore Harbour, Point Barrow, 

 or to any Officers of the ' Plover' at Cape Lisburne. 



No. V. 



By the Commissioners for Executing the Office of Lord Hlgli Admiral 

 of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, etc. 



Whereas it is necessary to replenish Her Majesty's sloop Plover, 

 now in position at Point Barrow, Behring Strait, with stores and pro- 

 visions, as well for the future supply of that vessel as for the purpose 

 of meeting the wants of the crews of the 'Enterprise' and 'Investi- 

 gator,' should those ships be driven back upon Behriug Strait, or 

 should circumstances have rendered it imperatively necessary for the 

 crews to abandon them, a course stated by Commander M'Clure (in a 

 letter, dated 20th July, 1850, to Captain Kellet) "he might be com- 

 pelled to adopt after the winter of 1852, by proceeding in the spring 

 of 1853 to quit his vessel with sledges and boats, and make the best of 

 his way to Ponds' Bay, Leopold Harbour, the Mackenzie River, or for 

 whalers, according to circumstances." 



With the view, therefore, of conveying assistance to the ships at 

 Behriug Strait, we have appropriated the ' Rattlesnake' for this service, 

 and we have appointed you to the command of that ship, with a full 

 reliance on your acquaintance with all that is necessary for carrying out 

 the same, and on your personal knowledge of the coast on which you 

 are to be employed. In furtherance of this object you are hereby re- 

 quired and directed to put to sea so soon as the ' Rattlesnake ' shall be 

 in all respects ready, and to use every exertion to be off Cape Lisburne, 

 Behring Strait, at as early a period of this year as possible. In order 

 to aid in this purpose a steamer will be directed to tow you clear of 



