I 



[ vii ] 



fuch a departure from the voyage enfured, that they would not 

 be able to recover, if accidents happened in fuch a deviation. 



I am informed, however, that there are fome veffels employed 

 in time of peace by government, to prevent fmuggling on the 

 Northern coaft of Scotland. Thefe fhips might be inftructed, 

 when a promifing wind blows from the Southward, to 

 proceed as far North as the ice will permit. The crew of 

 fuch a fhip would be encouraged by expectations of the Parlia- 

 mentary reward ; and though one attempt might fail, another 

 might fucceed. The expence to the publick would be trifling, 

 whilft the fmugglers would not know how foon the (hip might 

 return to its flat ion. 



Our Commodore upon the Newfoundland ftation might alfo 

 fend a veffel, at a fmall expence, to explore all the Northern 

 part of Hudfon's Bay, with which we are fo imperfectly ac- 

 quainted at prefent. 



Such attempts during peace might take place almolt every 

 fummer ; and I mould fuppofe that this fcientific and opulent 

 nation would never hefitate (whilft there is the lealt dawning of 

 hopes) to fend proper veffels occasionally to make further trials 

 both of a N. W. paffage by Baffin's Bay, and a N. E„ beyond 

 Nova Zembla, 



The coaft of Corea, the Northern part of Japan, and the Le- 

 quieux Iflands, mould alfo be explored ; the cheapeft, and per- 

 haps belt method of doing this would be to employ a veffel in 

 the India Company's fervice, which might be victualled at Canton. 



Thus much with regard to difcoveries, or better knowledge 

 of the more unfrequented parts of the Northern hemilphere. 



The defidterata in that of the South feem to be the following : 



To make the compleat circumnavigation of New Holland, fo 

 as at leaft to be better acquainted with fome parts of the coaft of 

 3 this 



