288 Observations on the late Expedition of Capt. Party , 
This new light thrown upon American geography, did not re- 
main a matter of simple speculation. In an active and spirited 
naval administration, it revived the almost extinguished hope of 
a northwest passage. It appeared nearly certain that an ocean 
extended along the north coast of America, at a latitude quite 
consistent with the most free and safe navigation. If, therefore, 
from Hudson’s or Baffin’s Bays, there could be found an 
entrance into this ocean, the passage to Behring’s Straits 
would probably be found unobstructed. Such was the principle 
upon which were founded the successive expeditions of Ross, 
Parry, and Franklin. We shall not now detain the reader, by 
even the most summary view, of results which must be so fa- 
miliar to him. Suffice it to say, that Captain Parry found 
his progress from Baffin’s Bay opposed by very serious ob- 
stacles, and was also led to the conclusion, that the closer he 
kept to the coast of America, the better chance he would have 
of working out a passage. In both these views, the attention of 
his employers was turned to Hudson’s Bay. Middleton’s facts 
had by no means disproved the possibility of finding an outlet 
somewhere or other ; and their weight was diminished by the 
cloud which hung over his testimony. It was determined, then, 
to revive on this side the often repeated attempt. All the mea- 
sures taken in former voyages for strengthening the ships, and 
storing them with ample supplies, were repeated, with such im- 
provements as experience had suggested ; and, in the spring of 
1821, the new expedition, composed of the Fury, under Captain 
Parry, and, the Hecla, under Captain Lyon, was ready to 
start *. 
On the 8th May, the expedition set sail from the Nore ; but 
being detained by adverse winds, it was not till the 11th June 
that they reached Davis’ Straits, and saw there the first iceberg. 
They were soon in Hudson’s Straits, where mountains of ice 
* We had prepared a somewhat full abstract of the events of this voyage; but 
considering that they have appeared before the public in so many shapes, and must 
be now familiar to all our readers, it appeared unnecessary thus to swell an article, 
which has already reached an unexpected length. It will be enough to exhibit 
a general outline of its results, as preparatory to considering the prospects of sue-, 
cess in farther attempts at discovery in this direction. 
