XXV111 
OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS. 
on the Expedition, who is hereby required to execute them in the 
best manner he can, for the attainment of the several objects in 
view. 
His Majesty’s Government having appointed Lieutenant Franklin 
to the command of an expedition to explore the northern coast of 
North America, from the mouth of the Copper-mine River of Hearne ; 
it would be desirable, in the event of your touching on that coast, to 
leave some testimonial of your having been there, with the date, and 
such circumstances as you may find convenient, for the lieutenant’s 
information ; and you will do the same wherever you may stop on 
that coast, by erecting a pole, having a flag, or some other mark by 
which it may be distinguished at a distance, (and you should endea- 
vour to place such mark on the situation in which it may be most ex- 
tensively visible,) and burying a bottle at the foot of it, or otherwise, 
containing an abstract of your proceedings and future intentions ; 
corresponding instructions having been given to Lieutenant Franklin 
to leave a similar notice at any convenient part of the coast which 
he may discover between the mouth of the said river and the eastern 
part of North America. 
You are, while executing the service pointed out in these Instruc- 
tions, to take every opportunity that may offer of acquainting our 
Secretary, for our information, with your progress : and on your arrival 
in England, you are immediately to repair to this office, in order to 
lay before us a full account of your proceedings in the whole course 
of your voyage ; taking care, before you leave the ship, to demand 
from the officers, petty officers, and all other persons on board, the 
logs and journals they may have kept ; together with any drawings 
or charts they may have made ; which are all to be sealed up ; and 
