OF THE POLAR SEA. - BS 
tricts; who, from-long residence in the country, 
were perfectly acquainted with the different modes 
of travelling, and the obstructions which might 
-be anticipated. At the desire of these gentlemen, 
I drew up a series of questions on the points on 
which we required information; to which, two 
days afterwards, they had. the kindness to return 
very explicit and satisfactory answers; and on 
receiving them I requested the Governor to favour 
me with his sentiments on the same subject in 
writing, which he delivered to me on the fol- 
lowing day. : sti 
Having learned that Messrs. Shaw, M‘Tavish, 
and several other partners of the N.W. Com- 
pany, were under detention at this place, we 
took the earliest opportunity of visiting them’; 
when, having presented the general circular, and 
other introductory letters, with which I had been 
furnished by their agent, Mr. Simon M‘Gillivray, 
we received from them the most friendly and full 
assurance of the cordial endeayours of the win- 
tering partners of their Company to promote the 
interests of the Expedition. The knowledge we 
had now gained of the state of the violent coms 
mercial opposition-existing in the country, ren 
dered this assurance highly gratifying; and 
these gentlemen added to the obligation by 
freely communicating the information respecting 
D2 
