^34 Norih-west Passage. 



Bibie wrote Mr. Dobbs, that they had gone no further than lati- 

 tude 62. and a half north, and returned without making any dis- 

 covery. Though the persons who commanded the sloops were no 

 M'ays qualified for the undertaking, yet it appeared from the re- 

 port they gave, there tliiit was every reason to believe a passage 

 might be found. 



Mr. Dobbs wrote, desiring to see the journals of the sloops ; 

 but received only a general answer, whence he concluded that 

 the company were averse to making any discoveries, though their 

 charter was granted for that purpose. He observed that it was 

 very odd that in such a season they had not reached lat. 66. N. 

 since the whale fishers every year go as far as lat. 78 and 80 de- 

 grees west, without obstruction. Mr. Dobbs on this, thinking 

 that the Company trifled with him, wrote to Sir CharlesWager, 

 from whom he received the following letter: and thus the matter 

 rested. 



Admiralty Office, March, 1/38. 



Sir, — I received the favour of your letter of the 20th past. I 

 believe vou judge very right, that the Hudson's Bay Company do 

 not desire to have any body to interfere with them in the fur trade 

 in those parts. They seem to be content with what they have ; 

 and make, I believe, more considerable profit by it, than if it was 

 further extended, which might be the case if a further discovery 

 was made ; for, although they siiould not find a navigable pas- 

 sage through into tiie south, they might probably find Indian na- 

 tions, from whom furs might be bought cheaper than they can 

 be bought in Hudson's Bay ; which would be a disadvantage to 

 their trade. 



The probability of finding a passage, as you propose, seems to 

 be very strong. The flood coming that way is almost a demonstra- 

 tion. If a passage cou!<l be found into the South Sea, it would open 

 3 very large field, and probably of very profitable commerce. 



I think the best way to undertake such a discovery is, to have, 

 as you propose, two proper vessels to go at a proper time of the 

 year, and to winter there, if necessary, and to carry with them a 

 small cargo of goods proper to trade with any Indians they may 

 meet with, and capable honest people to be employed in tlie ex- 

 pedition, if such are to be found, which I very much doubt. As 

 to vessels being ;ent at the public expense, though it would not 

 be great, yet the Parliament may think, especially at this time, 

 that we ought not to play with the money they give us for other 

 and particular services. However, if Sir R. Walpole, or other pro- 

 per persons, should think that the Government should attempt 

 it at the public expense, I shall not be against it. 

 I am, sir, yours, &c. 



(Signed) Charles Wager. 



And 



