132 LETTER TO MR. RAE. 



in observing, that our experiments on magnetism 

 during our stay at Fort Confidence were carried on 

 so as to be productive of scientific results. 



In consequence of intelligence obtained from 

 newspapers on my journey home, I addressed the 

 following letter to Mr. Rae : — 



"Lake Winipeg, August 19. 1849. 

 " My Dear Rae, 



" As I learn from the newspapers which I have just 

 read, and shall forward for your perusal, that Sir James 

 C. Ross did not reach Barrow's Strait till after the 

 28th of August, and that it is probable that he may have 

 been arrested short of his intended wintering quarters at 

 Melville Island or Banks's Land, and could not conse- 

 quently send off his proposed spring party to the Copper- 

 mine River this season, I consider it likely that he may 

 determine on sending that party next spring ; and if so, 

 by the present arrangements they will, on their arrival at 

 Great Bear Lake, find Fort Confidence deserted. 



" I therefore think it important that you should engage 

 either the chief of some band, or two expert hunters, to 

 pass the months of June and July, 1850, on the portage 

 between Bear Lake and the Coppermine River, promising 

 them a handsome reward if they render any assistance to 

 the expected white party, and paying them such moderate 

 sums, in addition to a full supply of ammunition, as may 

 content them for spending the summer on such excellent 

 hunting grounds. 



" You will have no difficulty in engaging either Martin 

 Lake or Bear Lake Indians for this service ; and there is 

 abundance of time, after the arrival of the March packet, 

 by which you will receive this letter, for them to reach 



