NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 39 



known tlie Esquimaux never retire far from the 

 coast. This is a strong confirmation that the waters 

 seen both by Hearne and Mackenzie, were arms of 

 the sea. On their arrival at the coast, it would be 

 necessary to associate with the Esquimaux, to sub- 

 mit in some measure to their mode of living ; and 

 to effect any considerable discovery, it might be 

 requisite to spend a winter or two among them ; in 

 which case they might trace the line of the Frozen 

 Ocean to such a length, that the place where it 

 joins the western coasts of Baffin's Bay, or Hud- 

 son's Bay, or the eastern side of Greenland, would 

 be determined. Or, if it should be objection- 

 able wintering among the Esquimaux, several 

 expeditions might be sent out at the same time 

 from different stations, and on different meri- 

 dians. One, for instance, might start from the 

 north-western part of Hudson's Bay, and pro- 

 ceed to the north-west, and another from the 

 same place towards the north ; a third might start 

 from the Slave Lake towards the north-east ; and a 

 fourth from the same station towards the north or 

 north-west ; the expence of all which would pro- 

 bably be less than that of one expedition by sea. 

 AV^e have several proofs of the practicability of this 

 plan ; — from the journeys which the settlers at Hud- 

 son's Bay and the North -American Indians fre- 

 quently make ; from the voyage of JNIackenzie, and 

 the journeys of Hearne ; and from the willingness 



