OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS. 



xxix 



America, from the mouth of the Coppermine Eiver of Hearne, east- 

 ward, it would be desirable, if you should reach that coast, that you 

 should mark your progress by erecting a flagstaff in a few of the most 

 convenient and distinguishable points which you may successively visit, 

 and you are to bury at the foot of each staff a bottle, containing such 

 information as may be useful to Captain Franklin, and such further 

 particulars respecting your own proceedings as you may think proper 

 to add ; corresponding instructions having been given to Captain Frank- 

 lin to leave a similar notice at any convenient part of the coast which 

 he may discover between the mouth of the said river and the eastern 

 part of North America. And in the event of your getting to the 

 westward of Hearne's river, you should occasionally do the same with 

 a view to multiply the chances of our hearing of your progress. In 

 the event of your finding Captain Franklin and his party on any part 

 of the coasts of America, (which being possible, you should look out 

 for and attend to any signals that may be displayed on the shores,) you 

 are, if he should wish it, to receive him and his party into His Majesty's 

 ships under your command, bearing them as supernumeraries for vic- 

 tuals until your return, or you have other means of forwarding them to 

 England. 



You are, whilst executing the service pointed out in these instruc- 

 tions, to take every opportunity that may offer of acquainting our 

 Secretary, for our information, with your progress : and on your arrival 

 in England, you are immediately to repair to this office, in order to 

 lay before us a full account of your proceedings in the whole course of 

 your voyage ; taking care, before you leave the ship, to demand from 

 the Officers, Petty Officers, and all other persons on board, the logs and 

 journals they may have kept, together with any drawings or charts 



