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LXXIII. On the unexplored Coast of North America. By 



Richard King, Esq.* 

 /^F the northern configuration of America there remains 

 ^"^ unexplored but a small portion, nevertheless in that por- 

 tion, small as it is, rests the grand problem of the north-west 

 passage. 



If Melville Peninsula forms the north-eastern boundary of 

 America, there remains to be explored the space between its 

 north-west termination, and Dease and Simpson's eastern li- 

 mit in latitude 68° 28' 27" N. and longitude 97° 3' W. ; but 

 on the contrary, if the land of North Somerset is a part of 

 the American continent, and consequently its north-eastern 

 boundary, the western coast of Boothia will have to be traced 

 to Cape Nikolai the first, as well as the short space between 

 Point Scott and Dease and Simpson's eastern limit. 



I have no hesitation in stating that the whole may be ex- 

 plored in one summer at the very trifling outlay of a thousand 

 pounds, by means of a small overland expedition. With this 

 conviction I forwarded to Lord Stanley, in January last, the 

 following communication : — 



" My Lord, " 4 Piccadilly, Jan. 24, 1842. 



" In 1836 I had the honour of laying before Lord Glenelg, 

 the then Colonial Secretary, a very humble and ceconomical 

 plan for determining the great question of the north-west pass- 

 a"e, and of the northern configui'ation of America ; but as 

 His Lordship declined to entertain the plan, and having ascer- 

 tained that such a course would not be offensive to the Go- 

 vernment, I made an attempt to raise the necessary funds of 

 1000 pounds by public subscription. The subscription was go- 

 ing on favourably,|When the Admiralty, at the recommendation 

 of the Geographical Society, determined to fit out Sir George 

 Back in the Terror, with instructions to make for Wager or 

 Repulse Bays; then to cross the isthmus dividing those seas from 

 the Gulf of Boothia, and by a boat navigation to survey the 

 unknown polar coast line ; and at the same time the Hudson's 

 Bay Company despatched a surveying party overland to carry 

 out my views ; consequently. My Lord, I was forced to retreat 

 into the shade with reflections of deep sorrow at the course 

 adopted by Government, and of extreme delight at that pur- 

 sued by the Hudson's Bay Company. From that time until 

 the present moment I have never intruded myself either on 

 the Government or the public. When the Government ex- 

 pedition failed my voice was not heard, although prior to its 

 departure I had foretold the result, and had pronounced the 



* Communicated by the Author. 



