INTRODUCTION. 
fuch obfervations as they required me to make, 
and at the fame time requefted me to undertake 
the Journey, promifing to allow me at my re- 
turn, a gratuity proportionable to the trouble and 
fatigue I might undergo in the expedition*. 
I did 
* The conditions offered me on this occafion cannot be better exprefled 
than inthe Company’s own words, which I have tranfcribed from their 
private letter to me, dated 25th May 1769. 
“From the good opinion we entertain of you, and Mr. Norton’s recom- 
* mendation, we have agreed to raife your wages to £ per annum 
“ for two years, and have placed you in our Council at Prince of Wales’s 
“ Fort ; and we fhould have been ready to advance you te the command of 
“ the Charlotte, according to your requeft, ifa matter of more immedi- 
*¢ ate confequence had not intervened. 
“ Mr. Norton has propofed an inland Journey, far to the North of 
# Churchill, to promote an extenfion of our trade, as well as for the difco- 
“ very of a North Weft Paflage, Copper Mines, &c.; and as an undertak- 
ing of this nature requires the attention of a perfon capable of taking 
“an obfervation for determining the longitude and latitude, and alfo di- 
« ftances, and the courfe of rivers and their depths, we have fixed upon 
“ you (efpecially as it isreprefented to us to be your own inclination) to 
** conduét this Journey, with proper affiftants. 
“ We therefore hope you will fecond our expeétations in readily perform- 
* ing this fervice, and upon your return we fhall willingly make you any 
“ acknowledgment fuitable to your trouble therein. 
“‘ We highly approve of your going in the Speedwell, to affift on the 
« whale fiffery laft year, and ‘heartily with you health and fuccefé in the 
* prefent expedition, 
We remain your loving Friends, 
“ Breve Laxe, Dep. Gov. “ James WINTER LAKE. 
“Joun ANtwony Merte, “ Herman BERENS. 
“ RopertT Merry. “ JosEpH SPURREL. 
“ SAMUEL WEGG, ‘¢ James Firz Geran.” 
The Company had no fooner perufed my Journals and Charts, than 
they ordered a handfome fum to be placed to the credit of my account ; 
and 
XXXIX 
