INTRODUCTION 45 



business, and his knowledge of those parts of the Bay where 

 he had resided, it cannot be supposed he was well acquainted 

 with the nature of the business in which he then engaged, 

 having nothing to direct him but the slender and imperfect 

 accounts which he had received from the Indians, who at that 

 time were little known, and less understood. 



[xxvi] Those disadvantages, added to his advanced age, he 

 being then near eighty, by no means discouraged this bold adven- 

 turer ; who was so prepossessed of his success, and of the great 

 advantage that would arise from his discoveries, that he procured, 

 and took with him, some large iron-bound chests, to hold gold 

 dust and other valuables, which he fondly flattered himself 

 were to be found in those parts. 



The first paragraph of the Company's Orders to Mr, Knight 

 on this occasion appears to be as follows : 



" To Captain James Knight. 



^' ^tkjune, 17 1 g. 

 "Sir, 



" From the experience we have had of your abilities in the 

 management of our affairs, we have, upon your application 

 to us, fitted out the Albany frigate. Captain George Barlow, 

 and the Discovery, Captain David Vaughan, Commander, 

 upon a discovery to the Northward ; and to that end have 

 given you power and authority to act and do all things 

 relating to the said voyage, the navigation of the said ship and 

 sloop only excepted ; and have given orders and instructions 

 to our said Commanders for that purpose. 



" You are, with the first opportunity of wind and weather, 

 to depart from Gravesend on your intended [xxvii] voyage, 

 and by God's permission, to find out the Straits of Anian, in 

 order to discover gold and other valuable commodities to the 

 Northward, i^z. &^c." 



Mr. Knight soon left Gravesend, and proceeded on his 



