68 
FIRST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
when a nameless and unnoticed reefer, as well as when in his 
higher rank and maturer years, he cruised in the frozen north 
The enterprise in question was that of exploring Baffin’s Bay, 
and searching for a north west passage to the Pacific ocean. 
Deeds of enterprise will always possess superior claims on 
the human mind, their chief tendency being to increase the 
stores of human knowledge, to open fresh sources of commercial 
speculation, and to excite in our breasts the spirit of compatriot 
pride, in the fame and honor which belong to our country, in 
/laving been the birthplace of those illustrious characters, who, 
in contempt of the most appalling dangers, and at a sacrifice of 
all personal happiness, venture into the desolate and uninhabited 
regions of the world, where nature has hitherto sitten en¬ 
throned in the unbroken silence of a past eternity, and where 
the ground has hitherto, never been indented by the footsteps of 
a human being. 
According to the orders received from the Admiralty, Capt. 
Ross, proceeded to Greenock, and arrived in London on the 80th 
December. He was immediately furnished with the necessary 
directions, and after inspecting several ships, he selected the 
Isabella and Alexander, as being the most suitable, on account 
of the strength of their build, for the seas which he would 
have to navigate. Having prepared every thing which was 
necessary for the safety of the ships, and the comfort of the 
crews, he received from the Admiralty the following official 
instructions. 
By the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High 
Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland , 
fyc. fyc. 
His royal Highness the Prince Regent having signified 
his pleasure to Viscount Melville, that an attempt should be 
made to discover a northern passage by sea, from the Atlantic 
to the Pacific ocean; we have in consequence caused four ships or 
vessels, to be fitted out and appropriated for that purpose, two 
of which, the Isabella and the Alexander are intended to proceed 
