230 
LAST VOYAGE OF CAPT. ROSS. 
gated to him by that gentleman, or that he was to be considered 
in the slightest degree as holding an independent command in 
the ship. The evidence of Mr. Booth is altogether interesting, 
as it throws considerable light upon the origin of the expedition, 
at the same time that it places him in the rank of the most mu¬ 
nificent patrons of science which this country has produced. 
Being asked if he entertained any objection, to state the cir¬ 
cumstances which first induced him to undertake the charge of 
the enterprise, which Capt. Ross commanded, he replied, not in 
the least. I had known, he said, Capt. Ross for some years, and 
I undertook it for the credit of the country, and to serve Capt. 
Ross, thinking that Jie was slighted in his former expedition ; 
and on account of some ill -natured reports which were circulated 
anonymously against him, I conceived that there was a cloud 
hung over him, and he was anxious for the opportunity of going 
out again. The first time he applied to me, we were looking 
over the globe, and he was explaining to me what he had done 
before; I felt interested that all discoveries should be made 
by our countrymen, and I really was then excited, and was 
sorry that another expedition was not appointed to go out to 
explore the northern regions. He said he should like very much 
to have the opportunity of going out again, but that govern¬ 
ment would not send out another expedition. I said, I regreted 
very much if that were the case, but did he know it for a cer¬ 
tainty? He said, not exactly, but I will endeavour to ascertain. 
He then, I believe, had some private communication with Lord | 
Melville, whether he thought they should do so or not, (this was 
in the year 1827,) and Lord Melville said, there was no intent- j 
ion, at present of sending out any further expeditions, but he 
could not say what they might do hereafter. Capt. Ross then i 
said, I should like very much to go out again, and I think I 
could do it at a small expense: I said, well then, put down, 
and let me see what you call a small expense. He afterwards 1 
brought me a paper containing his calculations, making it about 
£10,000, I said, I should have no objection to advance £10,000, 
if that be the utmost sum required, but I said, I will not engage 
in it, because there is £20,000 reward for any person, who shall 
