JOURNEYS IN RUPERTS LAND. 101 
Government, City of London, Royal Geographical Society, and many private subscribers 
contributed to send an expedition for the rescue of the gallant captain. The command 
was given to Capt. Back, who had accompanied Franklin on his first and second expedi- 
tions, of 1819 and 1825. 
1833.—The expedition left England in February. ‘The route taken was by New York, 
overland to Montreal, thence by voyageur’s route up the Ottawa and the Upper 
Lakes, from Fort William to Lake Winnipeg, Norway House. Here another start 
was made up the Saskatchewan, to Portage La Loche, and the journey continued 
northward. On July 29, Fort Chippewyan, on Lake Athabasca, was reached. 
Here the real work of exploration began. The Indians discouraged the party 
greatly by their dismal account of the route. 
Aug. 11, Back, with five men in his canoe, started for the Arctic Sea. He was 
followed by A. R. McLeod, an enterprising officer of the Hudson’s Bay Company, 
with his men. The route was by way of the Great Fish River, going out of the 
eastern extremity of the Great Stone Lake. 
1834.—The party spent this winter of 1833-4 in buildings they had erected, called “ Fort 
Reliance.” After many adventures, the estuary of the Fish or Back River was 
reached about latitude 68° N. 
1835.—March 21.—Capt. Back began his return voyage and passed by way of Chippe- 
wyan homewards, reaching Norway House, June 24. He had, while in the far 
north, received letters telling him that Sir John Ross had returned safely in 1833 
to Great Britain, having been rescued by the crew of a whaler. 
(9) THoMAS SIMPSON. (Simpson and Dease’s Explorations.) 
This expedition was undertaken by the Hudson’s Bay Company, for the purpose of 
discovering the north-east coast of America, Dease was the senior officer, and had accom- 
panied Franklin, though Thomas Simpson, a relative of Sir George Simpson, has received 
most notice. 
1837.— On June 1, Simpson and Dease’s party carried in two seaboats, named “ Castor ” 
and “ Pollux,” and a bateau called “Goliath,” left Fort Chippewyan to descend 
the Mackenzie River. On July 6, the Arctic Ocean burst on the view of the 
expedition, and was saluted with joyous cheers. As they journeyed coasting 
the ocean, Return Reef was reached on the 23rd, and the party arrived at 
Boat Extreme on the 30th. On foot from Boat Extreme, Point Barron was visited 
Aug. 3, the western point which their instructions covered. They saw this 
point with emotion, 21° west of the mouth of Mackenzie River. On the 17th, they 
reéntered the mouth of the Mackenzie. By ascending the Mackenzie, and 
traversing Great Bear Lake, their winter quarters were gained Sept. 25. These 
they cailed “ Fort Confidence.” 
1838.—June 6.—They started for Coppermine River, reaching its mouth July 2. On the 
17th, they made a second sea voyage—now eastward from 115° W. On Aug. 25, 
they discovered new land, erected a stone pillar and unfurled the Union Jack 
