PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. J 



Esq., a cousin of Captain Ross, and thus not 

 less interested in the success of the scheme than 

 Mr. Ross himself. 



It was gratifying to observe, in the rapid ac- 

 cumulation of our funds, the liveliness of the 

 public sympathy in this disinterested project. 

 No obstacle, therefore, was to be anticipated from 

 want of means, and the preparations went on 

 with increased confidence. In furtherance of 

 the communications which were made by Dr. 

 Richardson, the Governor and Directors of the 

 Hudson's Bay Company had already despatched 

 directions to their agents in America, apprising 

 them that such an expedition might be expected 

 in the following spring, and directing the neces- 

 sary preparations to be made for it ; and now, 

 besides generously placing at our disposal 120 

 bags of pemmican, two boats and two canoes, 

 these gentlemen suggested, with equal liberality 

 and considerateness, the expediency of taking it 

 under the especial protection of the Company, by 

 issuing a commission under their seal to me as its 

 Commander. Gladly, as may be supposed, did I 

 avail myself of so important an offer, well know- 

 ing, from past experience, that the co-operation 

 of all parties throughout their extensive territory 

 would by this means be effectually secured. 



The expedition was to consist of two officers 

 and eighteen men ; part of whom, including two 



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