INTRODUCTION. 
V 
entirely with coals, (of which the Hecla stowed seventy, and the 
Griper thirty-four chaldrons), together with such a quantity of fire- 
wood as was necessary for the stowage of the casks in the holds. 
To add to our warmth, and to keep out the snow during the winter, 
a housing-cloth was prepared of the same materials as that with 
which waggons are usually covered, and which being laid on planks, 
supported amidships by spars lashed fore and aft between the masts, 
and resting with their lower ends on the gunwale, completely answered 
the purpose for which it was intended. 
Care was taken to provide abundance of warm clothing, 
and one suit of the best quality was liberally furnished for 
each man employed in the Expedition, to be served gratis at my 
discretion. Among the numerous articles of this kind which con- 
tributed essentially to our comfort, a wolf-skin blanket was supplied 
for each officer and man, which, in addition to those of the common 
sort, effectually kept the people warm in their beds, although from 
the necessary economy in fuel, the temperature of the decks was 
frequently much below the freezing point during the nights. 
To be prepared against the chances of meeting with any natives in the 
countries which we were about to visit, the ships were directed to be 
furnished with a large quantity of various kinds of presents, both to se- 
cure their friendship, and to purchase any supplies of which we might 
stand in need. In short, nothing was omitted which could in any 
degree tend to the success of the enterprise, or to the health, con- 
venience, and comfort of those engaged in it. I feel myself par- 
ticularly indebted to the kindness of Commissioner Cunningham, 
and the officers employed under him in the different departments 
