88 SECOND EXPEDITION OF CORNELISON. 
to the depth and openness of the sea, was considered by Corne- 
lison, so decisive of the existence of a north eastern passage to 
India, that without prosecuting his researches, in order to 
ascertain if his conjecture were true, he returned to Holland 
with the joyful tidings, that the northern maritime nations of 
Europe had now a route of their own to India, and that the 
commercial supremacy of the Portuguese in the east, was con¬ 
sequently on the eve of its dissolution. 
So confident were the States General in the truth of the. report 
of Cornelison, that they actually equipped a fleet of seven ves¬ 
sels, six of which were laden with merchandise, suitable for the 
Chinese and Indian markets, and Barentz was appointed chief pi¬ 
lot of the expedition. This fleet, it is true, sailed at an unseason¬ 
able time of the year, for on approaching the coast of Nova 
Zembla, it was found scarcely possible to proceed on account of 
the accumulation of ice; they however succeeded in passing the 
straits of Waigatz, and here they learned from the Russians, 
that in about ten weeks the frost would be so intense, that a 
passage might be effected over the ice to Tartary. They also 
learned from the Samoiedes, that in about five days sail to the 
north east, the land took a south easterly direction, and this was to 
them a strong confirmation of their hopes, that they should soon 
arrive at the markets where their merchandise was to be disposed 
of. The cold however became severe ; the weather stormy and 
wholly unpropitious for any further progress, and the whole 
fleet returned in safety to Holland, with their cargoes untouched. 
The discovery of the north eastern passage appeared therefore 
to be attended with difficulties equally discouraging and insur¬ 
mountable, as those which had been experienced in the numerous 
attempts to discover the north western passage, and the States 
General in consequence felt no longer disposed to incur the ex¬ 
pence of a third expedition. Impressed however with the con¬ 
viction of the great benefit that would accrue to the country, by 
the discovery of the north eastern passage; and even if it should 
fail, that the maritime spirit and nautical skill of the people, 
would be thereby greatly fostered and encouraged; a proclama¬ 
tion was issued, offering a considerable reward to any one, who 
