OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 



373 



into the Polar Sea, had been of no practical benefit in the prosecution of our 

 enterprise ; for we had only discovered this channel to find it impassable, and 

 to see the barriers of nature impenetrably closed against us, to the utmost 

 limit of the navigable season. 



Without reverting, however, to the past, or being at the pains to re-con- 

 sider what we had or had not been able to effect, it was sufficient only to 

 know our present geographical position to be aware, that the remaining re- 

 sources of the Expedition were no longer adequate to the accomplishment 

 of our principal object. Not to know this would have implied ignorance of 

 the real nature of the' attempt, and therefore not to admit it would have been 

 little better than absurdity. Instead of disguising the difficulties where 

 any existed, it seemed more prudent to search out and endeavour to obviate 

 them ; and after fairly considering every circumstance of our situation, to de- 

 cide on the adoption of such measures as, with our present resources, appeared 

 still to hold out some reasonable hope of ultimate and complete success. 



Viewing the matter in this light, it appeared to resolve itself into the 

 single question, by what means the resources of the Expedition could pos- 

 sibly be extended beyond the period to which they were at present calculated 

 to last, namely, the close of the year 1824. Only one expedient suggested 

 itself by which that object could be attained ; and this I determined to adopt 

 should no unforeseen occurrence arise to prevent it. — It was to send the 

 Hecla to England in the following season, taking from her a twelvemonths' 

 provisions and fuel to complete the Fury's resources to the end of the year 

 1825, and then continuing our efforts in that ship singly as long as a reason- 

 able hope remained of our ultimate success. One or two collateral advan- 

 tages occurred to me as likely to be derived from this plan ; the first of 

 which was the opportunity thus afforded of transmitting to the Lords Com- 

 missioners of the Admiralty a full account of our past proceedings and pre- 

 sent situation and intentions, whereby perhaps much needless anxiety on our 

 account might be prevented. It would also, as I hoped, allow their Lordships 

 the option of making any alteration which they might now deem requisite in 

 the arrangements pointed out in my Instructions, respecting the sKip to be 

 sent to meet us near Behring's Strait, for which the orders might not perhaps 

 leave England before the arrival of the Hecla there, in the autumn of 1823. 

 These were, however, minor and less important considerations ; my principal 

 object and determination being to persevere, to the utmost extent of our re- 

 sources, in the prosecution of the enterprise with which 1 had the honour to 



