( 210 ) 1616. 



ROBERT BYLOT AND WILLIAM BAFFIN. I6I6. 



This is the fifth voyage made in the little bark 

 the Discovery in search of a north-west passage, 

 which ship was again fitted out by the same 

 adventurers, who, we are now told, were the Right 

 Worshipful Sir Thomas Smith, Knight, Sir Dudley 

 Digges, Knight, Master John Wolstenholme, Es- 

 quire, jMaster Alderman Jones, with some others. 

 RoBER'r Bylot was again appointed Master, and 

 WiiLiAM Baffin Pilot. The instructions given 

 for their guidance have the merit of being clear, 

 distinct, and brief. 



" For your course you must make all possible 

 haste to the Cape Desolation ; and from thence 

 you, William Baffin as pilot, keep along the coast 

 of Greenland and up Fretum Davis, until you 

 come toward the height of eighty degrees, if the 

 land will give you leave. Then, for feare of in- 

 baying, by keeping too northerly a course, shape 

 your course west and southerly, so farre as you 

 shall thinke it convenient, till you come to the 

 latitude of sixtie degrees ; then direct your course 

 to fall witli the land of Yedzo, about that height, 

 leaving your farther sayling southward to your 

 owne discretion, according as the time of the year 

 and windes will give you leave ; although our 

 desires be, if your voyage prove so prosperous, 

 that you may have the year before you, that you 

 goe so farre southerly as that you may touch the 



