Ou the North-west Passage. 143 
in some extensive sea. Copper-Mine river is but 200 miles 
long, and cannot therefore discharge much water into this 
ocean; but the majestic river of Mackenzie, leaving its foun- 
tains near the sources of Columbia river, pursues its lonely 
course, washing the feet of the Rocky mountains, and falls 
into its parent ocean at the distance of 2000 miles. 
[ will now call the reader’s attention to the most interesting 
spot in those latitudes; | mean Cape Dundas 114° wesi ion- 
gitade from London, being the extreme point W. obtained 
by Capt. Parry. This cape forms the S. W. part of Mel- 
ville island. Met as examine the bearings and distances 
from this to other important points of this seas The mouth 
of Copper-Mine river lies due south 450 miles; Mackenzie’s — 
river S. W. about the same distance ; Point Turn-agaia S.S. 
E. less than 400. The explored part of Repulse bay S. E. 
700. Icy Cape of Cooke nearly W. 1000 miles. Repulse 
bay lies S. of Privce Regent’s inlet 350 miles, and Point 
Turn-again S. W. about 400. After viewing these several 
points with relation to eaeh other, I think it may be safely 
concluded that they are all embraced in the same ocean. 
The practicability of passing west of Melville Island on ac- 
count of the ice may be doubted, but beeause Capt. Parry 
met in 1820 with an impenetrable barrier of floating ice it is 
not conclusive that this passage should be shut every suc- 
ceeding year. He accomplished the distance from Winter 
Harbour to Sir James Lancaster’s sound (600 miles) on his 
return, in six days, which required five weeks to traverse in 
the opposite direction. What is Capt. Parry’s own opinion 
of the N. W. passage? Hesays ‘‘of the existence of such 
a passage, and that the outlet will be found at Behring’s 
“straits, it is scarcely possible on an inspection of the map, 
with the addition of our late discoveries, and in conjunction 
with those of Cooke and Mackenzie, any longer to entertain 
a reasonable doubt.” In addition to this we have the re- 
spectable opinion of Capt. Franklin, that enterprising officer, 
who has lately added so much to our geographical knowledge 
by his discoveries E. of Copper-Mine river. 
‘“‘Our researches,” he says, ‘as far as they have gone, 
seem to favour the opinion of those who contend for the 
practicability of a north west passage. 
The general line of coast probably runs east and west, 
nearly in the latitude assigned to Mackenzie’s river, the 
sound into which Koteshue entered, and Repulse bay; and 
