INTRODUCTION 57 



[xlii] " It will be pleasing to hear by the first opportunity, in 

 what latitude and longitude you meet the Leader Matonabbee, 

 and how far he thinks it is to the Coppermine River, as also 

 the probable time it may take before you can return. But in 

 case any thing should prevent the said Leader from joining you, 

 according to expectation, you are then to procure the best 

 Indians you can for your guides, and either add to, or diminish, 

 your number, as you may from time to time think most 

 necessary for the good of the expedition. 



" So I conclude, wishing you and your companions a con- 

 tinuance of health, together with a prosperous Journey, and a 

 happy return in safety. Amen. 



" MosES Norton, Governor. 



" Dated at Prince of Wales's Fort, Churchill River, Hudson's 

 "Bay, North America, November 6th, 1769." 



Isbester and Merriman, mentioned in my Instructions, actu- 

 ally accompanied me during my first short attempt ; but the 

 Indians knowing them to be but common men, used them so 

 indifferently, particularly in scarce times, that I was under 

 some apprehensions of their being starved to death, and I 

 thought myself exceedingly happy when I got them safe back 

 to the Factory. This extraordinary behaviour of the Indians 

 made me determine not to take any Europeans with me on my 

 two last expeditions, 



[xliii] With regard to that part of my Instructions which 

 directs me to observe the nature of the soil, the productions 

 thereof, &c., it must be observed, that during the whole time 

 of my absence from the Fort, I was invariably confined to stony 

 hills and barren plains all the Summer, and before we approached 

 the woods in the Fall of the year, the ground was always 

 covered with snow to a considerable depth ; so that I never 

 Jiad an opportunity of seeing any of the small plants and 

 shrubs to the Westward. But from appearances, and the slow 

 and dwarfy growth of the woods, &c. (except in the Atha- 



