OF THE POLAR SEA. 83 
The conversations which I had with the gentle- 
men in charge of these posts, convinced me of 
the necessity of proceeding during the winter 
into the Athabasca department, the residents of 
which are best acquainted with the nature and 
resources of the country lying to the north of 
the Great Slave Lake; and from whence only 
guides, hunters, and interpreters can be pro- 
cured. I had previously written to the partners 
of the North West Company in that quarter, re- 
questing their assistance in forwarding the Ex- 
pedition, and stating what we should require of 
them; but, on reviewing the matter, and reflect- 
ing upon the accidents that might delay these 
letters on the road, I determined on proceeding 
to the Athabasca as soon as I possibly could, 
and communicated my intention to Governor 
Williams and Mr. Connolly, with a request that 
I might be furnished, by the middle of January, 
with the means of conveyance for three persons, 
intending that Mr. Back and Hepburn should 
accompany mie, whilst Dr. Richardson and Mr. 
Hood remained till the spring at Cumberland 
_ After the 20th of December the weather became 
cold, the thermometer constantly below Zero. 
Christmas-day was particularly stormy; but the 
galé did not prevent the full enjoyment of the 
G2 
