INTRODUCTION. 
YOR many years it was the opinion of all ranks 
of people, that the Hudfon’s Bay Company 
were averfe to making difcoveries of every kind; 
and being content with the profits of their {mall 
capital, as it was then called, did not want to in- 
creafe their trade. What might have been the 
ideas of former members of the Company re- 
fpecting the firft part of thefe charges I cannot 
fay, but I am well aflured that they, as well as 
the prefent members, have always been ready to 
embrace every plaufible plan for extending the 
trade. As a proof of this affertion, I need only 
mention the vaft fums of money which they have 
expended at different times in endeavouring to 
eftablifh fifheries, though without fuccefs: and 
the following Journey, together with the various 
attempts made by Bean, Chriftopher, Johnifton, 
and Duncan, to find a North Weft paffage, are 
recent proofs that the prefent members are as de- 
firous of making difcoveries, as they are of exend- 
ing their trade. | | 
That air of myftery, and affectation of fecrecy, 
perhaps, which formerly attended fome of the 
Company’s 
