162 Mr. Edmonston on the Situation and Prospects [March, 



moment. To every mind of reflection and sensibility, I do not 

 doubt but that this sentiment will be sufficiently familiar. But 

 for the purpose of rousing, and, if possible, of keeping alive, 

 attention to the subject, it will be the business of the following 

 remarks to place some of the circumstances connected with it in 

 as prominent a point of view as the shortness of the time within 

 which I have to prepare this article will allow. I obtrude 

 no speculations on the importance of a north-west passage. 

 This, together with the history of the various attempts made to 

 effect it, are well known to all who are the least conversant with 

 the study of maritime geography. I may, however, hazard 

 one observation, that, setting aside every other consideration, it 

 does appear to be, under suitable circumstances, an object 

 worthy of the first maritime nation in the world, to take the lead 

 in determining all questions of this kind, even though no other 

 result should follow, than the ascertaining of a geographical fact. 

 Such exploits are in strict accordance with many of our most 

 interesting national associations and habits. Besides, to Great 

 Britain belongs the glory of having first instituted voyages of 

 discovery for the mere purposes of extending the boundaries of 

 natural knowledge, and of benefiting mankind. Moreover, it 

 belongs to the reign of George III. and will transmit that reign 

 to posterity, with a lustre that will throw into shade many of the 

 political events, singular as they have been, which have occurred 

 during the sixty years that it lasted. Much, it is true, had been 

 done previous to the accession of our late monarch towards per- 

 fecting the knowledge of the globe, but it had been done with 

 selfish and sordid views, for the sake of national or individual 

 emolument. It was reserved for this country, in our own times, 

 to set an example of beneficence such as the world had never 

 witnessed, viz. the exploring of new and distant regions in 

 order that civilization and happiness might be more widely 

 diffused.* The north-west expedition then, had it no other 

 claim to our regard, would be entitled to it on the ground of its 

 having been sent out in furtherance of those laudable and 

 enlightened designs. But it also has its own peculiar claims; 

 such, indeed, as are calculated to call forth our utmost solicitude 

 and admiration. 



We know that a certain number of our countrymen have now 

 been absent for a long period on a most perilous service ; that 

 they have already encountered one hyperborean winter, and 

 must now be amidst the hardships and privations of another ; in 

 regions, perhaps, never before visited, certainly never before 

 resided in by Europeans, and under circumstances, though not 

 altogether new, in the highest degree trying and difficult. We 



* It is a fact not undeserving of notice, that the first expedition sent out with the 

 views here stated, sailed shortly after the accession of his late Majesty ; while the last, 

 and, perhaps, the only important achievement of the kind remaining to be accom^ lished, 

 left the country in the year ia which he died. 



