j[ HE two expeditions recently fitted out for ex- 

 ploring a northern communication between the 

 Atlantic and Pacific oceans were of a nature to 

 excite public attention and to engage a large share 

 of general conversation. But as many crude and 

 absurd notions seemed to be entertained on the sub- 

 ject, it was thought that a brief history, arranged 

 in chronological order, of the dangers and diffi- 

 culties and progressive discoveries of former 

 attempts, might serve as a proper introduction to 

 the narratives of the present voyages, which, 

 whether successful or not, will be expected by 

 the public. 



In the compilation of this brief history no pre- 

 tensions are set up to authorship — the collecting 

 of the materials, though widely scattered through 

 many large and some few scarce volumes, 

 employed no great share either of the writer's 

 time or research ; in their present form they may 

 be the means of saving both to those who feel 

 disposed to acquire a general knowledge of what 

 has been and what yet remains to be accom- 

 plished. 



London, \st August , 1818, 



