Xiv OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS 



to cross the Melville Peninsula, and examine that part 

 of the coast of the Polar Sea, where your researches in 

 the following spring are to commence, in order that from 

 the state of the ice, or other circumstances, you may 

 take measures during the winter to be perfectly prepared 

 to prosecute your journey, either by land or water, to the 

 ultimate object of your destination. 



Having made your previous observations as above- 

 mentioned, and the necessary preparations which they 

 may have suggested, you are, in the following spring of 

 the year, to proceed with such a number of men as you 

 may deem requisite, and with such boats, provisions, 

 and stores, as you may be able with convenience to 

 carry, to cross the Peninsula a second time, and proceed 

 westerly by land, or by water, as circumstances may 

 admit, until you shall arrive at Point Turn-again, stop- 

 ping as little as possible on your route thither, in order 

 that you may have the more time in the favourable sea- 

 son, for making observations on your return, when you 

 will endeavour to ascertain, as coiTectly as your means 

 will allow, the latitudes and longitudes of the various 

 headlands, inlets, islands, S^^c.^ which may occur in the 

 line of your route. 



