338 RECEIVE DESPATCHES. 



when near Great Slave Lake, we were met by two 

 Indians in a canoe who proved to be bearers of an 

 " extraordinary express " from England, which con- 

 tained Mr. Pullen's commission as Commander and 

 the sanction of the Admu'alty to renewed prosecution 

 of the search for Sir John Franklin's party, if Captain 

 Pullen should consider it practicable. Very little 

 consideration was necessary on the subject, and after 

 consultation with Dr. Rae, the decision was speedily 

 arrived at, to return to the sea-coast. We reached 

 the fishing-station called Big Island, at the entrance 

 of Great Slave Lake, where some of our party had 

 wintered, next day, and attempted to reach Port 

 Resolution to obtain a supply of pemmican, but the 

 ice in the lake checked our progress, and Captain 

 Pullen decided on returning at once to Port Simpson, 

 to prepare for the second trip. On the 29th, accord- 

 ingly, we bade farewell to Dr. Rae and his brigade, 

 and retraced our way to Port Simpson, which was 

 reached on the 3rd of July. 



The boats which we had brought from the "Plover" 

 were so much damaged that only one, the " Logan," 

 (repaired from the other) could be made available, 

 and we were furnished by the company with a large 

 new boat, whose dimensions were in strong contrast 

 to oiu' oAvn diminutive craft ; she measured thirty 



