44 INTRODUCTION TO THE 



considered as attainable ; and, particularly, Chester- 

 field's (formerly called Bowden's) Inlet, lying between 

 latitude 63 and 64, succeeded Wager's Strait, in 

 the sanguine expectations of those who remained un- 

 convinced by former disappointments. Mr. Ellis, 

 who was on board the ships, and who wrote the 

 history of the voyage, holds up this as one of the 

 places where the passage may be sought for, upon 

 very rational grounds, and with very good effects.* 

 He also mentions Repulse Bay, nearly in latitude 

 67; but as to this he speaks less confidently; only 

 saying, that by an attempt there, we might probably 

 approach nearer to the discovery.^ He had good 

 reason for thus guarding his expression ; for the com- 

 mittee who directed this voyage, admitting the 

 impracticability of effecting a passage at Repulse 

 Bay, had refused allowing the ships to go into it, 

 being satisfied as to that place, t 



Setting Repulse Bay, therefore, aside, within 

 which we have no reason for believing that any inlet 

 exists, there remained no part of Hudson's Bay to be 

 searched, but Chesterfield's Inlet, and a small track 

 of coast between the latitude 62, and what is called 

 the South Point of Main, which had been left unex- 

 plored by the Dobbs and California. 

 But this last gleam of hope has now disappeared. 

 The aversion of the Hudson's Bay Company to con- 

 tribute any thing to the discovery of a north-west 

 passage, had been loudly reported by Mr. Dobbs ; 

 and the public seemed to believe that the charge was 

 well founded. But still, in justice to them, it must 

 be allowed, that, in 17^0, they had sent Messrs. 

 Knight and Barlow in a sloop on this very discovery; 



* Ellis's Voyage, p. 328. f Ibid. p. 330. 



:jl Account of the voyage, by the clerk of the California, Vol. 

 ii. p. 273. Mr. Dobbs himself says, that he thought the passage 

 would be impracticable, or, at least, very difficult, in case there was 

 one farther North than 67. Account of Hudson's Bay, p. 99. 



