INTRODUCTION. 
H E fpirit of difcovery, which had long animated the 
X European nations, having, after its arduous and fuc- 
cefsful exertions, during the fifteenth and fixteenth cen¬ 
turies, gradually fubfided, and for a confiderable time lain 
dormant, began to revive in Great Britain in the late 
reign *; and recovered all its former activity, under the 
cherifhing influence, and munificent encouragement, of his 
prefent Majefty. 
Soon after his acceflion to the throne, having happily 
clofed the definitive operations of war, he turned his 
thoughts to enterprizes more humane, but not lefs bril¬ 
liant, adapted to the feafon of returning peace. While 
every liberal art, and ufeful ftudy, flourifhed under his 
patronage at home, his fuperintending care was extended 
to fuch branches of knowledge, as required diftant exami- 
* Two voyages for difcovering a North Weft paflage, through Hudfon’s Bay, were 
then performed ; one under the command of Captain Middleton, in his Majefty’s ftiips the 
Furnace, and the Difcovery Pink, in 1741, and 1742. The other under the direction of 
Captains Smith and Moore, in the ftiips Dobbs and California, fitted out by fubfcription, 
in 1746, and 1747. 
VOL. I 
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