xl vill 
INTRODUCTION. 
<¢ period fhall have particular orders on that head. 
<< It will be pleafing to hear by the firft oppor- 
“ tunity, in what latitude and longitude you meet 
“‘ the Leader Matonabbee, and how far he thinks 
< itis to the Coppermine River, as alfo the pro- 
“‘ bable time it may’take before you can return. 
«© But in cafe any thing fhould prevent the faid 
<¢ Leader from joining you, according to expecta- 
“¢ tion, you are then to procure the -beft Indians 
‘* you can for your guides, and either add to, or 
‘s diminifh, your number, as you may from time 
“ to time think moft neceflary for the good of 
‘¢ the expedition. 
“‘ So I conclude, wifhing you and your compa- 
‘© nions a continuance of health, together with a 
“¢ profperous Journey, and a happy return in 
** fafety. Amen. 
«< MOSES NORTON, Governor. 
« Dated at Prince of Wales’s Fort, Churchill River, Hudfon’s 
“ Bay, North America, November 6th, 1769.” 
Ifbefter and Merriman, mentioned in my In- 
firuétions, aétually accompanied me during my 
firft fhort attempt; but the Indians knowing 
them to be but common men, ufed them fo in- 
differently, particularly in fcarce times, that I was 
under fome apprehenfions of their being ftarved 
to death, and] thought myfelf exceedingly happy 
when I got them fafe back to the Factory. ‘This | 
extraordinary behaviour of the Indians made mé | 
determine not to take any Europeans with me on 
my two laft expeditions. 
With regard to that part of my Inftructions 
which direéts me to obferve the nature of the foil, | 
the 
