12 " '- CAPTAIN M*CLURE's DESPATCHES. 



Warren. I hope to round Cape Bathurst to-morrow. This will 

 therefore, be the last communication which it will, in all probability, be 

 in my power to make to their Lordships. The temperature has 

 hitherto been exceedingly mild, thermometer being very seldom below 

 32'', and, from the present favourable appearance, both of the weather, 

 and state of the ice, I have very strong hopes of getting well to the 

 northward ere the*navigation ceases, which will be about tbe latter end 

 of next month, according to Esquimaux report. 



I have the honour to be. Sir, ■ i 



,.,:• '^ . ; ,,. Your most obedient humble Servant, 



- Tf^iT .. >' . > :> ROBERT M'CLURE, Commander. 



Her Majeaitfs Discover if Ship Investh/aior, of Cape Batlmrst, Polar Sea, 

 'Aiufust 30, 1850, in lat. 70° 28'. V.', lomj. 128° 33' W. 



Sir, — In accordance with the intention expressed at the conclusion 

 of my last letter, I proceeded in the first whale-boat, accompanied by 

 Dr. Armstrong and ]\Ir. Miertsching, followed by Lieutenant Cresswell 

 and a i)arty of officers in a cutter, bringing a variety of presents. We 

 were met upon landing by two women, who greeted us very cordially, 

 and, through the medium of the interpreter, acquainted me that the 

 remainder of the tribe were at Cape Bathurst, catching whales, which 

 was at no great distance, and they would be our guides. Gladly availing 

 ourselves of this apparently fortunate incident, the boats were directed 

 to pull along shore, while we, ascending the cliff, reached a fine level 

 jdain, extending several miles north and south, rich with verdure, and 

 abounding in moss. We preferred walking, hoping to meet some rein- 

 deer, for which the pasture was excellent ; but mile after mile w-as walked 

 without any appearance of the fishing party. Arriving, after the expi- 

 ration of three hours, in a small bay, we were', however, gratified at being 

 told this was the spot where two boats, the year before last, had pitched 

 their tents for the night (Sir J. Richardson), and we had to go a very 

 little further. On reaching the next bay, we found tbere two tents, 

 which our guides said belonged to them ; but the Cape, or any appear- 

 ance of the tribe, could not be seen. We declined going any further, as, 

 in consequence of the wind falling light, the vessel was by this time hull 

 down. We were then kindly invited to become partakers of their tents, 

 and to go on the next morning, which hospitable offer was not accepted ; 

 but, bartering several articles in exchange for salmon, and making them 

 a few presents, we returned on board, wlien, at 10.3()]).m., it becoming 

 dark and foggy, and getting into 3^ fathoms, we anchored for the night. 

 August .'Hst, at daylight, found that we were between the mainland 

 and Bailh'v's Islands* about a mile from the latter, the weather still 

 foggy, with a moderate N.W. breeze ; but determined, if possible, to 

 discover the fishing ])arty, at 7 .'M) a.m. I left the ship, with Mr. Mierts- 

 ching and Dr. Armstrong in the cutter, and, after coasting about ten 

 miles, discovered, upon the extremity of ('ai)e Bathurst, a large encamp- 

 ment, consisting of 'M) tents and nine winter houses, nundoering a little 

 over 300 people. Upon landing upon a very low isthnms, which connects 

 within a few yards the islands and mainland, we remarked a connnotion 

 at the village, and a number of men rushed down the clifi's, launched 



