1853.] DETERMINE TO WITHDRAW CREWS. 37 



principally regarded the 'Investigator;' the fourth win- 

 ter must tell deeply on her debilitated crew, and, should 

 they fail, who would be selected for the opprobrium? 

 As to our own condition, our thoughts scarce dwelt 

 upon it, but we could not help recurring to the pro- 

 bable effect of the gales we had experienced on our 

 Western Division, and reflecting that the force is ge- 

 nerally increased in more southern latitudes. On one 

 point however we derived some little consolation, in the 

 probable deflection, or break, upon the peculiar coasts 

 between Melville and Beechey Islands, converting our 

 south-eastern and most violent gales into a north-western 

 in that region. Such indeed I perceive to be the fact 

 during Commander Richards' s journey to the south-west : 

 he experienced uncompromising gales from north-west, 

 with few gleams of sunshine, whereas, in my own journey 

 to the north-east, we were basking in the sun's rays and 

 enjoying light southerly or easterly winds ; with this 

 material difference however, that he was murdering de- 

 fenceless deer and musk-oxen, luxuriating in the fat of 

 the land, when we, but for the Queen's allowance, were 

 comparatively starving. Under the before-mentioned 

 difficulties, I had to decide on the means to be adopted 

 for relief, as well as the ensuring obedience to the wishes 

 of Government. 



As it would be imprudent at the present moment to 

 make arrangements which our own condition might de- 

 range before the spring, I deemed it prudent to draw 

 up the necessary instructions for Captain Kellett, and 

 to appoint Commander Pullen to proceed with them, 

 after the receipt of my final despatches, which would be 



