INTRODUCTION. xxxix 



through, fufficient for the purpofes of navigation, to attempt fuch pajfage with 

 one or both of the floops -, or, if they are judged to be too large, with f mailer 

 veffels, the frames of which have been fent out with him for that purpofe: 

 And whereas, in purfuance of his Majefy's further pleafure, fignified as afcre- 

 faid, the armed vejfel under your command hath been fitted in order to proceed 

 to Baffin's Bay, with a view to explore the Weftern parts thereof, and to en- 

 deavour to find a pajfage, on that fide, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, 

 and we have though! fit to intrufl you with the cOndu5t of that voyage -, Tou 

 are therefore hereby required and directed to put tofea in the faid armed vejfel, 

 without a moment's lofs of time, and make the befi of your way into Baffin's 

 Bay, andfo uje your bejl endeavours to explore the Weftern fhores thereof, as 

 far as in your judgment the fame can be done, without apparent r if que, and to 

 examine fuch confiderable rivers or inlets as you may dijcover; and, in cafe 

 you find any, through which there may be a probability of paffing into the Pa- 

 cific Ocean, you are to attempt fuch paffiage; and if you fucceed in the attempt, 

 and fh all be able to repajs it again, Jo as to return to England this year, you 

 are to make the beft of your way to Spithead, or the Nore, and remain there 

 until you receive further order-, fending us an account of your arrival and pro- 

 ceedings. But if you fhall Jucceed in the attempt, and ft) all find thejeajon too 

 far advanced for you to return the fame way, you are then to look out for the 

 tnoft convenient place to winter in, and to endeavour to return by the Jaid paj- 

 fage as early in the next year as the Jeajon will admit, and then to make the-, 

 heft of your way to England, as above direSled. 



In cafe, however, you.ftjould not find, or Jhould bejatisfied there is not any- 

 probability of finding, any fuch paffiage, or, finding it, you ftould not be able to 

 get through in the veffiel you command, you are then to return to England, as 

 before mentioned, urdefs you fhall find any branch of the Jea leading to the 

 Weftward which you fhall judge likely to afford a communication between the 

 Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and which you fiall not be able to explore in the 

 courje of this year, it being, in that cafe, left to your dijcretion to ft ay the. 

 Winter in the mcft commodious fituation you can find, in order to purj'ue the 

 dijcovery next year, if you ftoall find it advijable Jo to do; and, having dijeo- 

 veredjuch paffiage, or not Jucceeded in the attempt, you are to make the beft of. 

 your way to England, as above directed. 



It 



