[ 7 ] 



Several of the crew however were for profecuting their dis- 

 coveries, and Mr. Watt particularly remembers the chagrin 

 which was expreffed by a very intelligent feaman, whofe name 

 was John Kelly ; Captain Mac-Callam alfo, after his return from 

 that voyage, hath frequently faid, in the prefence of Mr. Watt 

 and others, that, if the mate had not been faint-hearted, the 

 fhip pombly might have reached the pole. 



Both Captain Mac-Callam and the mate are now dead, and it 

 is rather doubtful whether the fhip's journal can be procured. 



It remains therefore to be conlidered what may be objected to 

 the credibility of this very interefting account. 



I have ftated that Mr. Watt was not at the time this voyage 

 took place quite feveenteen years of age ; but I have alfo ftated 

 that he obferved himfelf (as well as the mafter and mate) from 

 time to time. Is it therefore more extraordinary he mould re- 

 member with accuracy that, two and twenty years ago, he had 

 been in N. lat. 83 1 , than that, at the fame diftance of time, he 

 might recoiled that he had been at a friend's houfe, which was 

 fituated 83 miles and an half from London ? Or rather indeed 

 is not his memory, with regard to this high latitude, much 

 more to be depended upon, as the circumftance is fo much more 

 interefting, efpecially as Mr. Watt was even then of a fcien- 

 tific turn ? 



To this I may add, that it being his firft voyage, and fo re- 

 markable a one, Mr. Watt now declares that he remembers more 

 particulars relative to it, than perhaps in any other fince that 

 time : other fea officers have likewife told me, that the circum- 

 ftances of their firft voyages are moft frefh in their memory, the 

 reafon for which is too obvious to be dwelt upon. 



If Mr. Watt's recollection however is diftrufted, this objection 

 extends equally to Captain Mac-Callam' s frequent declarations, 

 2 that, 



