iv 
PREFACE. 
The first discovery of tlie Western \'Korlcl by 
Europeans of which we have any autjientick ac- 
coiints, being- near the southern extreml^ of North 
America, drew, as might be expected, their atten- 
tion to that quarter : and the rage which this grand 
discovery excited for other enterprizes of the same 
nature ; the avidity, witli which avarice was stimu- 
lated to seize the precious metals, knqwn to exist in 
those parts ; the means held out for gratifying am- 
bition ; and the prospects of a lucrative coxumerce, 
with many other objects and considerations tended 
largely to extend them ; while the diminution of the 
Northern Continent to a narrow isthmus, and its 
large gulphs, bays and rivers, furnished and facilita- 
ted the means of exploring it. The spirit of enter- 
prize, however, was not confined to the southern 
extremity ; but extending itself to the climates con- 
genial with those which it had left, and connecting 
with its researches the planting of colonies, impor- 
tant discoveries were made along the Atlantic coast. 
In the mean time the project of discovering a north- 
west passage to the East Indies led the boldest naval 
commanders of Europe through the inland seas, bays 
and straights of the north ; and at length produced 
surveys of the shores of the Pacific. To these dis- 
coveries, and those occasionally made during the set- 
tlernent of the country within the limits of the Uni- 
ted States, and in Canada, the Hudson's Bay com- 
pany, though not famed for enterprize added some- 
thing to the stock of general information, and by 
their establishments aided others in their enterprizes. 
Mr. Hearn^ under the direction of this company, in 
an expedition, which lasted from the 7th of Decem- 
ber 1770 to the 30th of Jime 1772, J)roceeded from 
Prince of Wales' Fort, on the Churchhiil river in 
latitude 58d. 47 l-2m. north, and longitude 94d. 
% I -2m. w^est of Greenwich, or 19d. w^est of Phila- 
dlelphia, to the mouth of the Coppermine river, 
