XXXIX 
INTRODUCTION. 
Bays, or the North Sea ; and, upon finding any pafidge through, fujficient for 
the purpofes of navigation, to attempt fuch pajfage with one or both of the fioops; 
or, if they are judged to be too large, with fmaller vejfels, the frames of which 
have been fent out with him for that purpofe: And whereas, in purfuance of his 
Majefiy’s further pleafure, fignified as aforefaid, the armed vejfel under your com¬ 
mand hath been fitted in order to proceed to Baffin's Bay, with a view to explore 
the Weftern parts thereof, and to endeavour to find a paffiage, on that fide, from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, and we have thought fit to intrufk you with the 
condudi of that voyage ; You are therefore hereby required and directed to put to 
fea in the faid armed vejfel, without a moment’s lofs of time, and make the beft of 
your way into Baffin’s Bay, andfo ufe your beft endeavours to explore the Weftern 
Jhores thereof, as far as in your judgment the fame can be done, without apparent 
rifque, and to examine fuch confiderable rivers or inlets as you may. difcover; and, 
in cafe you find any, through which there may be a probability ofpafftng into the 
Pacific Ocean, you are to attempt fuch paffiage ; and if you jucceed in the attempt, 
and fhall be able to repafs it again, fo as to return to England this year, you are 
to make the beft of your way to Spithead, or the Nore, and remain there until you 
receive further order fending us an account of your arrival and proceedings. 
But if you fhall fucceed in the attempt, and fhall find the feafon too far advanced 
for you to return the fame way, you are then to look out for the moft convenient 
place to winter in, and to endeavour to return by the faid paffiage as early in the 
next year as the feafon will admit, and then to make the beft of your way to Eng¬ 
land, as above directed. 
In cafe, however, you fhould not find, or ftoould be fatisfied there is not any 
probability of finding, any fuch paffiage, or, finding it, you fhould not be able to get 
through in the vejfel you command, you are then to return to England, as before 
mentioned, unlefs you fhall find any branch of the fea leading to the Weftward 
which you fhall judge likely to afford a communication between the Atlantic and 
Pacific Oceans, and which you fhall not be able to explore in the courfe of this 
year, it being, in that cafe, left to your difcretion to flay the Winter in the moft 
commodious jituation you can find, in order to purfue the difcovery next year, if you 
fhall find it advifable fo to do and, having dif covered fuch paffiage, or not fuc- 
ceeded in the attempt, you are to make the beft of your way to England, as above 
directed. 
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