1854.] OPINION AS TO HIS PROCEEDINGS. 201 



it actually a strait, he would reach the north coast of the 

 island, in the deep bight west of Cape Walker, where 

 his progress (his ship) would most certainly be arrested 

 both by heavy ice and probably shoal water (as by Om- 

 manney's report). 



" Failing to get through, he would return, and endea- 

 vour to get easterly through Dolphin and Union Strait, 

 near which he may have wintered. 



" If he wintered there or in its neighbourhood, which is 

 most probable, as you will see how late his season was 

 before he could make any advance, he most certainly 

 will have sent letters home, by way of America, in the 

 spring of 1853, which could not have reached in time 

 for Inglefield. But this time I am convinced that we 

 shall hear of him; and I think he is clear of Behrin/s 

 Straits, for he would assuredly have time to get back last 

 autumn. Should he even have failed in getting back last 

 year, and decided on leaving his ship this spring were 

 he indeed obliged to come this way he would make 

 for Port Leopold, the only place he knows of. Austin's 

 departure he knew of, but not his return. 



" You may depend upon it Collinson will never reach 

 this strait except by way of Port Leopold, where informa- 

 tion has been deposited by Pullen." 



These are matters of opinion, founded on facilities not 

 evident to my senses and on my measures already adopted 

 for the relief of Captain Collinsou ; but although all 

 Captain Kellett's observations are good pro tanto, yet I 

 cannot lose sight of the difficulty he would have to en- 

 counter if he attempted to reach any of the Hudson's 

 Bay posts. 



