1854.] PROPOSED PROCEEDINGS. 145 



have reduced the allowance would, I felt, have been to 

 lose a large portion of the crew their Lordships sent 

 me to assist ; therefore I did not reduce the allowance : 

 besides, no reduction I could have made would have 

 enabled me to stay by my ships during the winter of 

 1855-6 without being assisted, which may be done 

 yet, if we are so unfortunate this summer as to fail in 

 getting through. 



" My (intended) proceedings, unless 1 get contrary in- 

 structions from you, will be as follows : 



"1. To despatch two parties (one men, the other 

 dogs), under Lieutenant Hamilton and Roche (Mate), to 

 Beechey Island as early as practicable in March ; the 

 dogs to be employed, with Mr. Roche as their leader, in 

 case you have not reached Beechey, in carrying these 

 despatches to you, and the men to return to me with in- 

 formation. 



" 2. An officer, Mr. Court, of ' Investigator,' accom- 

 panies these parties, who I propose shall be sent to Port 

 Leopold, with a strong party, to survey and arrange the 

 stores there, to leave a chart there of all that has been 

 done, and all information relative to the Squadron and 

 depots of provisions for Collinson. A copy of Mr. 

 Court's survey to be left in the Beechey house. This 

 officer was with Sir James Ross, and will execute this 

 service zealously and well. 



" The ' Investigator's' officers and crew, together with 

 the officers of this ship and the men who are the least 

 able to stand a further winter in this climate (all 

 amounting to eighty-three men and officers) will leave 

 in three divisions for the depot at Beechey Island, in 



VOL. II. L 



