234 ATTEMPTS MADE TO DISCOVER 



for the best account ever before exhibited of the attempts 

 to explore the north-west passage. 



Having received very ample instructions, from which they 

 were directed to find, according to the state of the tide, tlie 

 most northerly cape of the American continent, in latitude 

 sixty-two degrees north, the ships proceeded on their voyage, 

 accompanied with the wishes of thousands for their success. 

 It should be also mentioned, that the captains of those ships 

 were cautioned against the policy of the Hudson's Bay 

 Company. That this caution was not unnecessary was 

 afterwards proved ; for when the Dobbs and California were 

 obliged to winter in Hudson's Bay, the governor threatened 

 to use force to repel the intrusion, HoAvever, by the 

 firmness and conciliatory manner of the persons entrusted 

 with the expedition, the diflficulty was got over, and the 

 ships were comfortably, at least safely, moored for the 

 winter at a convenient place in Hayes's River. 



From this place the voyagers Avere not able to clear, on 

 account of the ice, till the beginning of the ensuing June. 

 They continued throughout that summer traversing the 

 northern extremity of Hudson's Bay, every hour in hopes 

 of finding the long desired passage, but in vain ; for after 

 various efforts, countenanced by ingenious and plausible 

 arguments, they were obliged to return without deriving 

 any advantage from the voyage, except a more exact 

 knowledge of the shores of that bay, and the manners of 



