242 OF THE EXPEDITION 



all the former in the manner in which I have done, the 

 present design of fitting out ships for a similar enterprise 

 may be the more easily understood. 



In the former undertakings, on the subject of a north- 

 west passage, it had been repeatedly tried on the American 

 side, and the failure of such attempts gave an opportunity 

 of urging an opinion that on the Spitsbergen side the 

 design would be found more practicable. The latter 

 opinion was found erroneous, and speculation was, from 

 the repeated disappointments, compelled to pause. 



Whilst the desolating work of war was going forward, 

 the thought of renewing the almost forgotten affair of the 

 passage to India, by the north-west seas, must have ap- 

 peared so unfit for inquiry, that one need not wonder that 

 since the expedition under Capt. Phipps, the subject 

 was left for so many years unagitated. But noAV that 

 " wild war's deadly blast is blown," the minds of men have 

 been again attracted to this interesting affair ; and to the 

 honour of the Royal Society it is to be recorded, that 

 the resuscitation of the subject is owing to their philoso- 

 phical vigilance. 



The great intent of the present undertaking, if I may 

 presume to judge, seems to be, to make a grand effort 

 at once in the sea northward of Spitsbergen, there to push 

 forward directly to the pole, and in Davis's Strait to sail 

 as far northward as possible, with a corresponding intent. 



