[ is ] 



years; both thefe attempts were made in the month of Auguff, 

 which I flatter myfelf to have proved, is the very feafon of the 

 year when the ice breaking up on the coaff, is floating in every 

 direction, and confecjuently often packs in maffes of an immenfe 

 extent. 



Thefe vafl; fields of ice, indeed, often are difperfed ; but who 

 hath, or indeed mould have,, the fortitude of waiting for this 

 accident, whilft he is already in a high Northern Latitude, and 

 the winter is fait approaching ? If the ice, however, mould thus 

 pack in April or May (which I conceive it would not, as little 

 muft be left to float from the preceding fummer), yet as the 

 warm weather is then increafmg from day to day, the navigator 

 would wait with fome degree of patience till his fhip may be 

 releafed from this temporary obfbuction. The fituation of the 

 difcoverer under thefe circumftances, may be compared to a 

 traveller pafiing over a large tract of fea-fand, when the tide 

 is flowing or ebbing. In the firfr. inftance he fpurs his horfe 

 becaufe the fea may be expected at his heels; in the latter he 

 proceeds with great compofure, as every inftant he lofes in point 

 of time the fea is further removed. 



Others again have defpaired of a "N. W. paffage, from Captain 

 Pickerfgill not having facceeded in his attempt for this purpofe,. 

 during the year i 776 a . 



This voyage was intended for two purpofes (at Ieaft as I have 

 been informed) ; the firft to protect fome of our whale fimers on 

 the coaft of W. Groenland from the Americans then in rebellion;} 

 and the fecond (if the time after this fervice permitted) to join 

 Captain Cook, mould he have been fo fortunate as to have ac~ 



* In the Lion armed Bi ig. 



complimed: 



