Vlii INTRODUCTION. 



intrepid associate, Dr. Richardson, by coasting the 

 northern shore in opposite directions towards the 

 two previously discovered points, His late Majesty 

 was also pleased to command that this expedition 

 should be simultaneously undertaken. 



From the nature of these services it was nearly 

 impossible that either of these expeditions could 

 arrive at the open sea in Beering's Strait, without 

 having nearly, if not wholly, exhausted their re- 

 sources ; and Captain Franklin's party being, in ad- 

 dition, destitute of a conveyance to a place whence 

 it could return to Europe. To obviate these antici- 

 pated difficulties, his Majesty's government deter- 

 mined upon sending a ship to Beering's Strait to 

 await the arrival of the two expeditions. 



As this vessel would traverse, in her route, a 

 portion of the globe hitherto little explored, and 

 as a considerable period must necessarily elapse be- 

 fore her presence would be required in the north, 

 it was intended to employ her in surveying and 

 exploring such parts of the Pacific as were within 

 her reach, and were of the most consequence to 

 navigation. 



The vessel selected for this service was his Majes- 

 ty's ship Blossom, of twenty-six guns, but on this 

 occasion mounting only sixteen ; and on the 12th 

 of January, 1825, I had the honour of being ap- 

 pointed to the command of her. The following 

 officers, most of them men distinguished for their 

 abilities, were placed under my orders, viz. — 



Lieutenant, George Peard. Naturalist, . . George T. La}'. 



rEthv. Belcher, Super- Assistant Surgeon, Thomas Neilson. 



Ditto, . < numerary, and As- ( John Evans, 



I sislant Surveyor. Clerks > • - \ Chas. H. Osmer. 



