INTRODUCTION. 



xxi 



you to do with, it? why does it concern you? Away with the 

 idea ! But not so ; my convictions were strong, and I could not 

 resist the desire upon me. I determined, therefore, to try ; and, 

 first of all, get what means were in my power, then find a way. 

 Many before me had accomplished much in the world upon as 

 slight a foundation as that of mine. What, then, was to hinder 

 my making the attempt ? Courage and resolution were all that I 

 needed; and though some persons might not concur in the wis- 

 dom or prudence of my effort, still, as my mind was upon it, try 

 it I would, and try it I did. 



I need not enter upon all the many difficulties I encountered. 

 These fall to the lot of every man who essays to try his hand at 

 something new, and especially so if he starts on a path trodden 

 without success before him. But difficulties sharpen the wit and 

 strengthen the mind. The experience of my native land was be- 

 fore me in proof of what man could accomplish ; and I can now 

 safely say that, though the obstacles in my way were many and 

 great, I finally succeeded in overcoming them. How I surmount- 

 ed those difficulties and started upon my voyage can not be told 

 at any length here. Suffice it that I began in Cincinnati by men- 

 tioning my hopes and wishes, and laying my plans before several 

 of the leading men and other persons well known in that city. I 

 also wrote a letter to Mr. George Peabody, of London, stating that, 

 in the event of my not succeeding in any other way to reach the 

 arctic regions, I would attempt it overland by the great Fish 

 River. This, however, was only an idea formed in case I could 

 not get a ship of my own, or a conveyance in one by the sea 

 route. 



On the 8th of February, 1860, I issued a circular (vide Ap- 

 pendix), to which were attached upward of thirty signatures, 

 and among them were the names of W. Dennison, Governor of 

 Ohio ; of the mayor, R. M. Bishop ; of Miles Greenwood ; Senator 

 Chase ; several other persons of note ; and Thomas Hickey, who 

 was with Kane on the second Grinnell Expedition. Mr. Hickey 

 sent me a letter which, from its value as the opinion of one com- 

 petent to judge, deserves notice. I here give an extract of it bear- 

 ing upon my own ideas. He says : 



"During the residence of our party in the arctic regions we 

 experienced many severe trials ; but, I must say, the major part 

 of them emanated from our mode of living. When we lived as 

 Esquimaux, we immediately recovered and enjoyed our usual 



