A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 239 



designed to inform the public. From this source only, 

 I am aware that some ships are fitted out for the purpose 

 of exploring the long sought passage to the Indian seas by 

 the north-west. On this subject I beg leave, as an eye 

 witness of the state of the globe, recently in a high northern 

 degree, and from a candid examination of the real state 

 of the case, to submit a few observations on the subject, it 

 being one in which the most important results are involved, 

 highly beneficial if successful, and ruinous if otherwise. 



