XIV 



INTRODUCTION. 



of the North- West Company, hoth in England and America, more 

 particularly to Simon M'Gillivray, Esq., of London, from whom I 

 received much useful information, and cordial letters of recom- 

 mendation to the partners and agents of that Company, resident on 



our line of route. 



A short time before I left London I had the pleasure and ad- 

 vantage of an interview with the late Sir Alexander Mackenzie, 

 who was one of the two persons who had visited the coast we were 

 to explore. He afforded me, in the most open and kind manner, 

 much valuable information and advice. 



The provisions, ins truments and other articles of which I had 

 furnished a list, by direction of the Lords Commissioners of the 

 Admiralty, were embarked on board the Hudson's Bay Company's 

 ship Prince of Wales, appointed by the Committee to convey 

 the Expedition to York Factory, their principal establishment in 

 Hudson's Bay. 



It will be seen, in the course of the Narrative as well as in the 

 Appendix, how much reason I had to be satisfied with, and how 

 great my obligations are to, all the Gentlemen who were associated 

 with me in the Expedition, whose kindness, good conduct, and 

 cordial co-operation, have made an impression which can never 

 be effaced from my mind. The unfortunate death of Mr. Hood 



is the only drawback which I feel from the otherwise unalloyed 

 pleasure I derived from reflecting on that cordial unanimity which 

 at all times prevailed among us in the days of sunshine, and in 

 those of " sickness and sorrow." 



To Doctor Richardson, in particular, the exclusive merit is due 



