230 FINAL MEASURES. [August, 



structions, a steamer and one sailing vessel might remain 

 behind. This clearly indicated one of the tenders, and 

 possibly the 'Talbot,' but, if taken literally, then the 

 'Phoenix' and 'Talbot/ reducing the conveyance of the 

 assembled crews again to the ' North Star.' This was 

 clearly injudicious, and not to be entertained. The three 

 vessels were not adequate to properly accommodate and 

 provide water for the crews. 



The forwarding of stores, excepting for deposit at 

 Beechey Island, it has already been observed, could not 

 relieve any parties detained to the westward of that po- 

 sition, except by a steamer advancing this autumn, if 

 the ice should open, or by a competent sledge force next 

 spring. If I left a small crew behind, no such competent 

 force would be available. 



Again, as to the selection of officers. Those who 

 had been fully tested, and were known to be capable 

 of carrying out my views in their true intent and in 

 conformity with my confidential Instructions, must be 

 sought amongst the volunteers of my own particular 

 set. Here again I must be guided by the opinions of 

 medical men; and, as I have mentioned in my de- 

 spatches, the selection would have fallen on Commander 

 M'Clintock. He, by conference in March, had been 

 made fully acquainted with all that was necessary; he 

 was the oldest practical Arctic officer ; and I had full con- 

 fidence that his appointment would be most satisfactory, 

 not only to those around me, but also to their Lordships. 

 Such then being the condition in which we were 

 found by the ' Phoenix,' I have not, even in my public 

 despatches, in the remotest manner alluded to matters 



