viii 



PREFACE. 



This voyage is calculated to be eminently useful at 

 this time, by settling for ever the question in regard to 

 the eligibility of making the passage of this Strait in a 

 voyage to the Great Pacific : — a question which it de- 

 cides in the negative on the clearest evidence of facts. 

 But, in arriving at this important conclusion, it has added 

 to our stock of geographical knowledge, and brought us 

 acquainted with large tracts, hitherto but imperfectly 

 explored and studied. 



