4 PRELIMINARY CHAPTER. 



that it is commanded by Captain Back ; it being 

 understood that the Hudson's Bay Company will 

 furnish the supplies and canoes free of charge, 

 and that the remainder of the expense, which is 

 estimated at 3000/., will be contributed by Cap- 

 tain Ross's friends. On receiving an answer 

 from the Treasury, the result will be duly com- 

 municated to you. 

 " I am, Sir, 



" Your most obedient servant, 

 " Geo. Boss, Esq." " Howick, 



This was announced to me as follows : — 



« No. 267. Strand, 

 7th Sept. 1832. 



" Sir, 



" I have the pleasure to inclose you the copy 

 of a letter which I have received from Lord 

 Howick, by the directions of Lord Goderich, 

 in reply to my application to his Majesty, on 

 the subject of an expedition to the shores of the 

 Polar Sea, with the view to ascertain, if possible, 

 the fate of my brother, Captain Ross, and of my 

 son, Captain James Clarke Ross. 



" I have only to add my earnest request, that 

 you will, in compliance with what appears also 

 to be the wish of Government, undertake the 

 command and direction of this humane and dif- 

 ficult enterprise, — certainly a most arduous task, 



