OP THE POLAR SEA. 191 



of one thousand balls, and a little more than the 

 requisite proportion of powder. A bag of small 

 shot was missing, and we afterwards discovered 

 that the Canadians had secreted and distributed 

 it among themselves, in order that when provision 

 should become scarce, they might privately pro- 

 cure ducks and geese, and avoid the necessity of 

 sharing them with the officers. 



The situation of our encampment was ascer- 

 tained to be, latitude 67° 47' 50'' N., longitude 

 115° 36' 49" W., the variation of the compass 

 46° 25' 52'' E., and dip of the needle 88° 5' 07''. 



It will be perceived, that the position of the 

 mouth of the river, given by our observations, 

 differs widely from that assigned to it by Mr. 

 Hearne ; but the accuracy of his description, 

 conjoined with Indian information, assured us 

 that we were at the very part he visited. I have, 

 therefore, named the most conspicuous cape we 

 then saw " Cape Hearne,'* as a just tribute to 

 the memory of that persevering traveller. I have 

 distinguished another cape by the name of Mac- 

 kenzie, in honour of Sir Alexander Mackenzie, 

 the only other European* who had before reached 

 the Northern Ocean. I have called the river 

 which falls into the sea, to the westward of the 

 Copper- Mine, Richardson, as a testimony of sin- 



