INTRODUCTION. 



xiii 



and to make any other observations that might be likely to tend 

 to the further developement of its cause, and the laws by which it 

 is governed. 



Mr. Back and Mr. Hood were to assist me in all the obser- 

 vations above-mentioned, and to make drawings of the land, of the 

 natives, and of the various objects of natural history; and parti- 

 cularly of such as Dr. Kichardson, who, to his professional duties 

 was to add that of naturalist, might consider to be most curious 

 and interesting. 



I was instructed, on my arrival at, or near, the Mouth of the 

 Copper-Mine River, to make every inquiry as to the situation of 

 the spot from whence native copper had been brought down by the 

 Indians to the Hudson's Bay establishment, and to visit and explore 

 the place in question ; in order that Dr. Richardson might be 

 enabled to make such observations as might be useful in a com- 

 mercial point of view, or interesting to the science of mineralogy. 



From Joseph Berens, Esq., the Governor of the Hudson's Bay 

 Company, and the Gentlemen of the Committee, I received all 

 kinds of assistance and information, communicated in the most 

 friendly manner previous to my leaving England ; and I had the 

 gratification of perusing the orders to their agents and servants in 

 North America, containing the fullest directions to promote, by 

 every means, the progress of the Expedition; and I most cheer- 

 fully avail myself ;of this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to 

 these Gentlemen for their personal kindness to myself and the 

 other officers, as well as for the benefits rendered by them to the 

 Expedition ; and the same sentiment is due towards the Gentlemen 



