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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. by errata led to jnt me p^^lure, aqon d 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 pi ^- f .i ^ ■ E/p /^ont eAef/it/^ , 7. :Bar/i>/f Ji:ie^ ■ '- X on (f^wr/rc^rrt I ondojx XpMoc**wr^<^w Londox}. ,-r"*^!" fy,i>ito'"''*(»fc-*"---«-*M»i' »v»»ii'i,- .-*f-''- m ^ KPcifU, ss r^a/u RT en • ;; 4S VOYAGE T O H U D S O N's-B A Y, B Y T H E Dobbs Galley and California^ In the Years 1746 and I 747j For Difcovering a ' ' North West Passage; WITH Ah accurate Survey of the Coaft, and a (hort Natural Hiflory of the Country. \'- Together With A fair View of the Fads and Arguments from which the future finding; of fuch a PaflTage is rendered probable; By HE NET ELLIS, Gent. Agent for the Proprietors in the faid ExpeditioHi ■ ^.v ■'- To which is brefixet' ^ An Hiftorical Account of the Attempts hitherto made for tiie finding a PafTage that Way to the Eajl- Indies, .. With a new and ccrreft Chart of Hud/on' s-Bay, with the Cbuntrie* adjacent. D^U B L I N: i iPrinted ^r Ceo RGE and Alexander Ewing, ai^cJrjg^li Had mic itt D.ame-Jks€U M,DC;C>XL1X4 >-i-'^— ^ ' 1. ToHis ROYAL HIGHNESS FREDERICK, P R I N C E of /^^L £ -y, afc. May it pleafe your Royal Highness, H E following Sheets have fo many ^ different Claims to your Protedlion ; ■ that I have Reafon to flatter myfclK, H you will not look upon it as a Prefump- ^^^ tion, t! at, with the mod refpeflful Humility, I offer them to your Perufal ; happy if they fhould be found worthy of your Attention, and thereby recommend to your Notice, a Subject of fuch Importance, to the Commerce of thefe Nations, as that to which they relate. I HAVE faid, that they have feveral Claims to your Royal Highnefs's Protection *, and your Good- nefs will allow me to explain the Reafons, upon which I have ventured to fay this. In the firft Place, as they tdateto aDifcovery, which, when perfected, will not only redound to the Glory of the Britijh Nation ; but will alfo prove the Means of promoting Naviga- tion, extending Trade, and encreafing our Shipping; they cannot be more properly addreffed to any than to your Royal Highnefs ; who it is well known, hath all thefe in a particular manner at heart. In the next, permit me to put your Royal High- nefs in Mind, that they more efpecially belong to you, as this very Defign was formerly patronized by your illuftrious Predeceffor Prince HEN R Y ; A 2 whofe f iv D ED IC ATIO N. whofe Servant, Sir ^bomas Button^ made a famous Voyage for the Difcovcry of the North- West Paf- fagc; and was fully perfuaded, that he fhould have fucceeded in another Voyage -, from which he was di- verted, by the Lofs of his Royal Patron. Lastly, The high Honour your Royal Highnefs did me, in the gracious Audience you were pleafcd to allow me, foon afttr my Return from this Voyage •, the many judicious Quefti jns you were plcafed to afk, and the generous Cafe you exprefled, for the happy Progrefs of this Defign, encourage me to approach your Royal Highnefs upon this Occafion. If the Confideration of thf fe Motives, fhall acquit me of the Imputation of Prefumption, for infcribing your illuftrious Name, to an Attempt of this Kind ; it will afford the higheft Satisfadion, as well as con- fer the greateft Honour within the Reach of his Wifhes, on him, who is, with the mod dutiful Sub- mifTion and Refped, ' t :'\ Tour Royal Highnefs* s Moji devoted^ and moft Obedient Servant^ ! HENRY ELLIS. I- i ' a famous West Paf- hould have I lie was di- 1 Highnefs ere pleafcd s Voyage i ifed to afk, the happy approach hall acquit ' infcfibing this Kind ; ^ell as con- ich of his Jtiful Sub- .( V ) ■ tfjofi \ervantf i L L I S. PREFACE. THERE cannot be a ftronger Inftance of the Health and Vigour of the Body Politic, than a warm Appearance of that Spirit, which is allowed to have conduced moft in Times pa(l to its Proliic- rity, as "'eli as Prefervation. The Spirit here meant, is that of encouraging Induftry, promoting Trade, and extending Navigation. A Spirit, to the Influence of which we owe the glorious Title we have acquired of a maritime Power, and the Kefpeft that is paid to us in that Capacity, not by our neareft Neighbours only, but by Nations as far diftant from us, as the Limits of the World will allow. It is from the Effefts of this Spirit that we muft hope, not only the Continuance, but the Incrcafe of our good Fortune ; and therefore as it is per- fe6lly juft, fo it is highly reafonable to expert, that whatever tends to excite and keep this alive will be cheriftied, and meet not with a bare Acceptance, but with the moft favourable Re- ception likewife of the whole Nation ; and this more efpecial- !y at the prefent Juncture, when the fame Spirit vifibly pre- vails fo much in other Countries, and our common Miflrefs Trade is courted by fo many, and fome of them very potent Rivals, It is very clear, that tho' this may be done by many diffe- rent Methods ; and that tho' all thefe different Methods de- ferve Attention and Encouragement from the End at which they aim, yet there is hardly any which can claim fo high Re- gard as Discovery, becaufe this takes in the whole Com- pafs of what has been before laid down, and contributes equal- ly to every Part of that great Defign. The Hopes of Difco- very encourages Induflry beyond any thing; for as it charms thofe quick and lively Spirits that are not eafily fixed by other Views ; fo on the other Hand it animates by the Expeftations of extraordinary Profit Men of a Temper direftly oppofite, and who are induftrious only from a forefight of Reward, and confequently are more or lefs fo, as the Profpeft differs in that Reijped. It promotes Trade more than any thing, not only A3 left ^o dif- "ecutlng th^ Difcovery, and there- , what ra- tional PREFACE. vii tional Hopes there are, that the finding a North Weft Pafiage would be a moft valuable Difcovery to the Britijh Nation. The laft Words are added for the fetting this Matter in its true Light ; for if the finding this Paflage could tend only to the Emolument of fome partxular Body of Men, or was barely calculated to transfer the \ ilth that accrues at prefent to one Set of People unto another, however important it might be to fuch as were to be Gainers by it, it would not certainly be of fuch Confcquence to the Public as to intereft the Legiflaturc in its Favour. But if it can be ftiewn, that from this Difcovery, there is a moral Certainty, that the Exportation of our Com- modities and Manufactures may be vaftly increafed, that feve- ral Branches of foreign Trade may be highly improved there- by, that Navigation in general may from thence be gi-eatly extended, and our Shipping increafed ; then fiirely it deferves to be confidered as a thi-^g of high Confequencc to the Public, and an Objeft worthy of nHLional Attention, Protedtion, and Encouragement. This Paffage, whenever it Is found, muft necefTarily open a Trade to Countries on each Side of it ; and that this may and indeed rnuft prove very confiderabie, will fufficiently ap- pear, if wc confider the Situation and Extent of thefe Coun- tries. On the Larboard or South Weft Side of the Channel, and of the Sea into which it opens, lies a Tra«5^ of Country making Part of America from the Welcome ^ or A'^' Ultra to Cape Blanco in California y that is from the Latitude of 65^ to 43". North, taking in twenty-two Degrees of Latitude, and no lefs than thirty in Longitude, having an exte^it of Coaft upwards of fix hundred Leagues, befides the Inlets that there may be, that muft of Courfe be very advantageous. We can- not indeed pretend to any great Knowledge of this Country the Goafts of which wholly, and the interior Parts of it in a great meafure, remain unknown; but we are very fenfible, that Copper, Skins, and Furrs it muft abound with in the Parts neareft the PafTage ; and in the Countries under a better Cli» mate, better Things maybe expected. Atleaft, we are pret- ty fure, that it is well inhabited ; and If the Inhabitants of the Goafts of Hudfon^s-Bay that are fo thinly peopled, take off large Quantities of our Commodities, and would take off much greater, notwithftanding fome Dealings they 1 ave with the French, why fhould we notbcUeve, that Countries betterpeoplcd ihould take off more. We may add to this, that if any heed is to be given to the veiy beft Spanijh Writers of American Af- jatrs, to Baron Lahontanf who was a Frenchman, or to Dr. Cox ow own CoLuitryman, who had great Oppcrtuniries of A 4 being wouuaaaBa z^sm Vlll P R E F A C E. being well acquainted with the Subjeft on which he wrote ; w© may conclude, that there are leveral numerous, and in a great meafure civi)i/.ed Nations, that inhabit, \yithin this Traft, who would willingly deal with us, tho' they are averfe. to, as hav- ing raofl of them had continual Wars with, the Spatiiards. If our Expe (Stations were to be bounded only by thg Certainty of difcovering thefc Countries, about which there neither has, nor I think can be any Difpute ; it would be a thing of much importance, lince the Navigation once opened, and Trade fettled, we might armually vend vaft Quantities of woollen Manufactures and other Commodities, and bring over Things yery valuable, perhaps Gold or Silver alfo in return. TLjre is no need of expatiating upon this ; for the Matter is fo clear and plain, that the bare Account of it may well anfwer our purpofe, and very fully ihew, that the Commerce of the North Weft Side of America^ muft afford an ample Compenfation for all the Trouble, Pains and Expence, that this Difcovery might demand. , Ag Ai N, on the North Weft or Starboa'd Side of the Paf- fagc, and the Seas into which it opens, it is very highly proba- ble that there muft be many great Countries, in a Trad: of above thirteen hundred Leagues between Ne Ultra and Japariy which is in the Latitude of 38*. It is indeed very true, that thefe . Countries are abfolutely unknown, that we have not the leaft Jiint, whether there is any great Continent on this Side, or only I (lands ; but if there be any Truth in the Reports, that large Ships come from thefe Countries to the North Welt Side of Americay in order to trade with the Inhabitants ; we may reft fatisfied, that they are wf 11 peopled, and that thofe People ^re civilized, and that of confequence their Commerce muft he very profitable, tho' it is impoflible to fay ft'om what Com- modities the Profit will arifc. This however a few Voyages would difcoyer, and the very Spirit that thefe new found Goun-; tries would raife, muft be highly advantageous to our own. It would, without doubt, revive all that Ardour and Dilligence which was fo confpicuous in that Age, in which we fii ft open- ed a Paftage to the Eaft and Wejl-hidies ; when all Ranks were inclined to promote our Navigation, and when almoft every Port in England fitted out Veifels to ftiare in that Commerce, by which the Spaniards and Portuguefe had been fo fuddenly and fo furprifingly enriched. What appears to us now only from Conjecture, \vould then become a Certainty; and thofe who treat the North Welt PaifTage at prefent as a Chimera, as well as tliofe who give themfelves no Concern, whether it be PREFACE. i« fo or not, would entertain other Notions, and a^ upon other Principles. In a Word, they would be as forward to reap the Advantages of this Difcovcry as the firft Adventurers, and the Paffion for this new Trade would be as flrong as it is for every other new Thing. We {hould then hear of nothmg but build- ing Ships, and equipping Squadrons to fail to thefe Northern Indies, and the Hopes of having a Share in the Advantages of this Commerce would bring over numbers of Foreigners, as certainly as our former Difcoveries and Plantations did. That thefe would be real and great Advantages to us, as a Nation, nobody can deny, and that they might be reafonably hoped for, if this Paffage was once found, nobody that is a proper Judge of the Matter will difpute. But belides thefe capital Benefits, which, as it has been be- fore obferved, would be abfolute Acceflions from the finding of fuch a PafTage ; there are other mcidental Advantages, that are very confiderable as well as undeniable ; fuch as opening to ^s a new andeafy Paffage into the South Sea, free from the In- conveniences that attend that by Cape -Born, and in point of Length nothing in Comparifon of that from the EaJl-IndieSf the only two Paffages that are hitherto known. It would like- wife open to us the Means of fearohing that vaft Ocean that lies between America and ^Jia, in which we are very liire that there are many rich and valuable Iflands, with which no European Nation has as yet any Gorrefpondence. By this Rout likewife we fhould have a much fhorter, fafer and wholefomer Paffage to the rich Iflands that lie EoSioi Japan, to the Iflands of Ja- pan themfelves, to the Countries that lie beyond them, as well as to Corea and China. This is not a fanciful Defcripiion of imaginary Advantages, but a plain Recital of the Confequences that muft neceffarily attend fuch a Difcovery, and which even the Enemies as well as Friends to it mufl allow. As to the Dreams of the Former in the lafl Age, about the Danger and Difficulty of the Navigation through Hudfon^s -Straits and Bay, and of the infupportable Rigour of the Gold in thefe Northern Climates, they are now out of the Cafe ; we know that this Navigation is far from being fo perilous as it is reprefented ; and at the Clofe of the following Sheets, it will be (hewn that there are very good Grounds to expeft, that this Paffage is not either narrow or encumbered with Ice, but may be both pafTed and repaffed in the Gompafs of the fame Summer. After this fhort Difplay of the neceffary Confequences of a North Wefl Paffage being found, one may prefume to affirm, that they are fuch as well deferve to employ the Con- fideration X PREFACE. fidcration of thofe that wifli well to the Trade and Navigation, that is to the Safety, Honour, and Prolperity of Great Britain. They are fuch as fhould furely awaken us from that flothful and drowfy State into which, through Indolence and too great Fondnefs for Pleafure, we are vifibly fallen. They are fuch as might open the Means of extricating us from all Embarraff- ments, by making fuch an addition to our Trade, as may af- ford new Funds for difcharging old Debts, and thereby free the landed Intereft and our Manufafturers alfo from that load of Taxes, of which they have fo long complained ; and of which, unlcfs relieved by fome fuch Method, they may com - plain much longer. They are fuch, in fine, as feem to unite all Intereft in a happy Concurrence to promote the Endeavours of thofe who are defirous of employing their private Fortunes in rendering fo great a Service to the Public, as the perfecting tliis Difcovery would certainly be. Upon what Grounds the Defign was originally undertaken ; how from time to time it has been profecuted with fome Danger, much Labour, and no fmall Expence ; how after being quitted for many Years, it has been again revived ; again followed ; and again laid afide ; how it came to p^ive Birth to the Hudfon'S'Bay Company ; and how fince the Eltabli/hment of that Company, which has now fublifted above fourfcore Years, we have heard fo little of it, till of late, is difcufled in the firft Part of the Work, and that in a hiftorical Way, for the Information of the Reader, and with a View to enlighten, and pot miflead his Judgment, In the fecond Part, there is a clear and circumftantial Nar- rative, as well of the Grounds upon which the laft Expedition in the Do^/'/ and 6V///yor«/^ was relblved upon, as of the Expe- dition itfelf ; the manner in which the two Ships Companies wintered in Hudfon^s-Bay ; and the Difcoveries they afterwards made ; which, though they did not abfolutely fhqw where the PafTage lay, yet feem to have firmly eftabliflied the Certainty, that foch a PafFage there is. For as we plainly fee from the firft Part, that John Cabot, who was the original Author of this Defign, as much as Columbus was of that by which the We ft <■ Indies was found, fwppofed thjs PafTage not to lie very far iS^orth ; but as he laid it down in his Map, or his Son Se^ kuftian, from his Father's Inftruftions, between the Latitudes of 6i^. and 64". fo from thence alfo it appears, that all the future Attempts through D avisos -Straits and Lumley's- Inlet were of no other ufe than cleaily to difcover that Time and Labour and Navigation, f Great Britain, that flotliful and I and too great 'hey are fuch as all Embarra/F- de, as may af- id thereby free from that load lained; and of hey may com - 5 feem to unite he Endeavours rivate Fortunes the perfefting It Grounds the ime to time it bour, and no ' Years, it has 1 laid afide ; 3mpany ; and hich has now b little of it, )rk, and that Reader, and gment. Ibntial Nar- Expedition f the Expe- Companies ' afterwards where the ■ Certainty, 'e fjom the Author of which the to lie very lis Son Se, Latitudes hat all the ilefs-Met Time and Labour I PREFACE. xi Labour were thrown away in fuch Expeditions, and that it could be only profecuted with any Probability of Succefs within the Limits that he firftaffigned. To this Hudfon opened the Way by finding the Straits that bear his Name, and in tra- verfing that Bay in which he loft his Life. Sir Thomas Button, who followed him next, had a very right Notion of the Manner in which the Paflage was to be fought, though he has not fo clearly explained himfelf as he ought to have done on that Subject. Capt. Luke Fox has been pretty much cenfured ; but notwithftanding this, he was certainly a very good Seaman, though a very bad Writer ; and his Obferva- tions are much to the Point, and very clearly direft, and that loo upon the moft rational Grounds, to the only Part of the Coafts of Hudfon* s- Bay, where Time and Pains may be (pent to Puipofe. And as upon the Lights derived from the Comparifon of thefe Voyages, and thofe that were alfo let in by Capt. Middleton*s Informations before his Expe- dition, and the Fafts reported in his Account of his Ex- pedition, the laft Voyage was undertaken ; fo it has clearly verifiec; every Point upon which the Reality of the Paflage depended, and has thereby given Certainty to our Hopes though the ifTuc of it did not altogether correfpond with our Expeftations, All this it will be found is fully explained, and fairly proved in the third Part, in which the Arguments are briefly laid down, that tend to encourage another Undertaking for the Difcovery of that Pafl!age ; which there is fo much Reafon to fcek, and fo good Grounds to fuppofe, may, notwith- ftanding fo many Difappointments, not be long fought in vain • and as the Reader will find in the Perufal of this Work' that it has been juftly regretted we have no diftinft Account of thofe honourable and worthy Perfons, who purely from public Spirit, fo long and fo alllduoufly profecuted this De- lign in the laft Age, we have, to prevent any Imputation of the fame kind from Poftcrity, fubjoined a Lift of the Sub- fcribers to the laft Undertaking, and who are ftill follicitous for the Succefs of this glorious Work ; which, notwithftand- ing the kind Encouragement given by the Lejriflature, and any other Advantages that may arife therefrom, muft i^ Calc of Succefs, be infinitely more beneficial to the Pub- lick tlian to thcmfelves. With the fame View this Trea- tife has been written- It contains as concile and as com. pleat a Profpeft of this whole Matter from firft to laft in Point of Evidence, as well as Argument, as it was poflible Xit PREFACE. to colleft ; and as the coming at Truth, and fetting it when come at in the cleareft Li^t, was the great Point aimed at, fo if it has been accomplifhed in fuch a Degree is that it may turn to the Benefit of the Briti/h Nation, it is all that is wifhed or defired from it ; and with this Afliirince it is fubmitted to the Judgment, and recommended to the Protection of the candidf Reader, who cannot but have fomc Regard to the Pains that have been taken on his Bebaif. 1^ . u A L I S T I r I ,\ mi'if.-miiiaamm ( xiii ) ' I _ ». A LIST of the Subscribers to the Expedition for finding the North West Passege in the Dobbs and Calif ornia» - ^ ; ; . . . " , ' . • : HIS Grace the Duke of Montague The Right Hon. Earl of Chef- terfield The Right Hon. Earl of Gra- nard The Right Hon. Lord Con- way , * The Right Hon. ior^ South- well The Right Hon. Lord New- por- His Grace the Archhijhop of Tuam The Lord Bijhop of Cloyne The Right Hon. Edward South- ^ well, Efq; Charles Stanhope, Efq; Sir John Rawden, Bart. * Arthur Dobbs, Efq; • The Rev. Mr. Richard Dobbs 2 Shares Her. Langford Rowley, Efq; John Potter, Efq; Solomon DayroUe, Efq; James Belcher, Efq; John Macarell, Efq; Alexander Steward, Efq; Barnard Ward, Efq; William Lennox, Efq; Francis Clements, Efq; Edward Brice, Efq; Honourable Mrs. St. George Mrs. Ann Echlin * James Douglas, Efq* * Rowland Fry e, Efq; * John Thomlinfon, Efq; * Mr. Robert Macky * Mr. Henry Douglas * Mr. William Bowden * Mr. Samuel Smith 3 ShareJ Henry Hamilton, Efq; William Bafil, Efq; Ifaac Jalabert, Efq; 2 Share J Parnel Nevil, Efq; Thomas Salter, Efq; John Hanbury, Efq; Clement Tudway, Efqf Theod. Cock, Efq; Mr. John Dupre Mr. George Aufrere Mr. Richard Gildart, jun, Mr. Daniel MufTenden Mr. James Rofs Mr. Gerrard Trotter of Yar- mouth 3 Shares Jonathan Perrie, Efq; Thomas Truman, Efq; The Hon. Juflin M« Carty, George Spaight, Efq; The Rev. Mr. John Taylowf Mr. Jofeph Porter Mr. Nathaniel Bafnett ( xiv ) Mejp. Samuel and Thomas Mr. John Seeker Fludyer Mr. Henry Loubier Mr. Henry Ellis Mr. Thomas Weft Mr. Peter Webb Mr. Jonathan Popham Mr. George Campbell Mejf. John Kennion and Mef. Maltby andYAcX Charles Whytell Mr. Arlander Dobfon • Mr. Jofeph Curtis and Cq» Mr. Robert Jackfon f N. B. Thofe marked thus (*) vjere choftnfor the Committee. TABLE ^ cker .oubier Weft I Popham Kennion and ^hytell lurtis and Co. ' the Committee. TABLE f XV) TABLE of Contents. The firft Part, includes the Hiftory oi the former Attempts. JO HN CabotV ro> ig-(r /« 1497 Mi/lakes about it ce, ''fied -. . ^ . Some Account of SebafKan Cabot Sir Martin FrobifherV /r/? Voyage fecond Voyage l!}ird Voyage Remarks upon thofe Voyages Capt. Fenton'j- Inflru^iions as to a Nbrth Weft Paffage Capt. 'Da.yh'^s firft Voyage fecond Voyage third Voyage • « Capt. James Lancafter'j Account of the Paffage Capt. Weymouth'j- Voyage An Account of Capt. Hudfon and his Difcoveries Bis laft unfortunate Voyage Sir Thomas Button' j- Voyage and Difcovery ^ Remarkable Birds and Be aft s on the Coaft o/Hudfon's-Bay 16 21 Page 2 ibd. ibid. 6 V f 8 ibid. 9 10 II ibid. 12 »4 15 f _ Gibbon'j- and BylotV Voyages BafEne'j- Voyage ..'..'' *j Capt. Luke FoxV Expedition The Voyape of Capt. James of Briftol '' . Remarks upm his Account This DfcoTcry attemp ed from New England Rife of the Hudfon's-Bay Company Account of Barlow'j Voyage Capt. Scroggs'j Voyage for Difcovery t Capt. Midiileton'j- Reafns for a North Weft Paffage Voyage for Difcovery Conchfions drawn from this Part of the Work The fecond Part. s 25 28 3^ 34 36 37 38 44 Containing the Hiftory of the Expedition in the Ddhhs-Callej and California in I747« The Motives to this Eicpedition 48 Tie ' -'^ 4.t ( XVI ) The Captain's Inffru^iotts ki The Authitr^s Departure i^y Remarks upon the Drft-JVood in the Not'tlerH Seas r . * 59 onthefloi't'ing Ice _. . .^ ^ -Ol Aro««/ 'j/Mf ^Icimaux Indians 64 Refolut'ton take,. -winter . .. ,♦ • 69 Arrival at Von 'on • ' 71 Account uf our xvintcring there 73 Defcription of the Country ^ ..... - ,79 Account of the Inhabitants " ' ' ; . '84 Dreadful Efft^s of the Scurvy ■' 9a Account of Yotk-Fort - 97 Our putting to Sea again in Pfofecuttonof the Difcovery 100 iSome' Thoughts on Magnetifm 102 De/cription of the Northern E(k\ma\xx. .106 Obfervation of the Tides at Cape-Fry ' • • ^^^ /^«y/ccof/wM/Gheftcrfield's- Inlet 113 Wager- Strait examined ' , . . 114 Found to be a Day ' 119 Fadfs a/cert ained by a Refolution of Council ibid* Tide tried in the Welcome '120 Caufes of the Fogs in thefe Parts ' . . 1 29 The true Caufcs of Ruft ajfigned \*" I31 The Dobbs and California return for England i 34 ■ : • The third Part. Comprehending the Arguments in Favour of a Pafrag(it ■ • '^ The Nature of Tides exptatned " ■ ' *'■' '-'''■ 12^ ••^*is Reafons drawn from the IVindsy the Climate and Appearance of the Country ■• -,; ;^. ., 138 From the Tejlimony 0/ f/>e Indians 'v ' , ' \ ibid* The Nature of Tides farther explained ■■■■—■■:■■ j^q The Tide in Hudfon's-Bay inconjijient "with the general Rules Cbje^ions to its coming frofft the South-S^a. anjzuered . 145 Proofs of a Paffagcfrom the Whales fQund there 140 This Pajfage not far to the North ibid* Is large and open 1 4B Where it may be expe^edP . ibid* Conclujioft 151 THt: I i •'• in .A ■ x\r. THE FIRST PART: BEING AN I . Introductory Account of the fever al Expeditions^ that have been made for the Difiovcry of a North- WESt Passage j including the mofi remarkable Cir^ cumfiances that occur in all the Relations extant of thofe yoyages j and faewing more particularly how far thefe Attempts contributed to the eflablifhing ^Pro- bability of fuch a Pajfage, which was the Founda^ tion of the lafi Undertaking for the fame Purpofe. K t I I.'' THAT glorious Spirit of iDifcovery^ whicrii> by jsro- •moting Navigation, and extending Co nerce, has^ •Within thefe laft Two Hundred and Fifty Years j brought fuch immenfe Riches into Europe ^ raifed her naval Power elpecially to fo formidable a Height, and ntade her in- difputably the Miftrefs of the greater Part of the Globe, took Rife in the Kingdom of Portugal, about the Entrance of the i 5th Century j and as all Beginnings are weak > made its ear- lieft Effays in fhort Voyages, along the Goafts of the great Continent of Jfricai But growing bolder by Degrees, and gathering both Courage and Experience from Succefs, the Portugueze'va. 141 9 difcovered Madeira-, in 1448 the Iflands tailed Azores 'y in 1449 the Ct'pe de Verdt Iflands; and in 1 486 the Cape of Good Hope ; b called from the Expectation it raifed of finding a Pafl^age that Way to the Indies. It was the Fame of this Difcovery, which w-as made rathtr by In- duftry and Perfeveranccj than from any real Knowledge in Navigation^ that put Columbus^ who was a Man of great Learning as Well as true Genius^ upon thinking of a nobler and more intelligent Method > of purfuing the fame Defign, in which, after overcoiping many, and thofe- too great Diffi- culties 'p. -3 *l 2 The fever at Expeditions to cultics, he at length brought his Defign to bear, and on the Mth of O^ob ir, 1 402. entered upon that Expedition, which produced the Dllcovery of y^merica. It is a thing fufficicntly known to the World, that he pro- pofed this very Undertaking to our King fftnry VII. by his Brotlier Uarthokme'Wy which that wife Prince accepted ; tho' this was not known to OAumbusy till after he had made the Difcovery he propofed. But notwithftanding this Difappoint- ment, the Inclination that Monarch had flicwn for encouraging Things of this Nature, had fo good an Effeft, that John Cabot , a Native of Venice ^ a very able Seaman, and who had refided fome Years in England^ was encouraged thereby to offer his Services to that King, for difcovering a Paffage to the Indies , by the North Weft ; and obtained Letters Patents, dated in the nth Year of the Reign of King Henry VII. empowering him to difcover unknown Lands, and to conquer, and fettle th^m, with many other Privileges, on Condition only that he Ihould return with his Ships to the Port of Brifiol. I N the Spring of the Year following being 1 497, he failed from Brifiol y with one Ship fitted out at the King's Expence, and three or four fmaller Veffels freighted by the Merchants there, with coarfe Caps, Cloth, Laces, ^c. upon his Dif- covery ; in which upon the 24th of June, about five in the Morning, he faw Land, which for that Reafon he called Pri- ma Vifia, or firft feen, which was Part of Newfoundlandy and afterwards another fmaller Iflarui, which he called St. Johnh ; and he brought Home with him three Savages, and a Cargo that turned to good Account ; for which, befides receiving the Honour of Knighthood, he was amply rewarded. As in this Voyage he failed as far as Cape Florida, he is very juftly looked upon as the firft Difcoverer of North Jmerica; and from thence, as Sir JVilliam Monfon obferves, our Princes derive their Claim to the Sovereignty of that Country, which they have fiace profecuted with fo good Effert, both with Regard to their own Glory, and to the Benefit of their Subjects. Thus we fee, that the Origin of our Plantations, and confequently of our extenfive Commerce, and naval Power, was owing to this Scheme of difcovering a Paftage, by the North Weft, to the Indies. Whether this ought to recommend it in an extraordinary Degree to the Favour and Protection of the Pub- lic, muft be left to the Decifion of the Reader ; and whether the continuing our Search for this Palfage, may not hereafter be attended with very beneficial Gonfequences, exdufive of ifee great End fought, muft be left to Time to difcover j but at I i scar, and on the xpcditlon, which >rld, that he pro- nry VII. by his ;e accepted; tho' he had made the g this Dilappoint- n for encouraging % that John Cabot, d who had refided Teby to offer his age to the Indies , Patents, dated in ^11. empowering ^nquer, and fettle Jition only that he Brijiol. ^g M97> he failed c King's Expence, by the Merchants ^c. upon his Dif- , about five in the ifon he called Pri- Ne'vjfoundlandy and called St. John's ; ages, and a Cargo fides receiving the inled. As in this iveryjuftly looked lerica; and from Princes derive mtry, which they )oth with Regard Subjects. Thus and confequently Dwer, was owing /the North Weft, ommend it in an eftion of the Pub- der ; and whether may not hereafter ices, excluiive of '. to difcover; but at it ti n it Ht ti it iifiover a North Weft Paftagf. || at all Events, it muft be allowed, that this was no bad Be- ginning. The little Knowledge, that our Writer-; in thofe Days liad of thi'i Suhjrit, occalions our having very dark, inconl.f- tent, and conla/^'d Accounts of the Dclign of this ExpcJition, as well as of the Circumftiinces that attended it. Many of them afcribe it to Schajtiun Cabot, without mentioning his Fa- ther at all ; and Riimufh^ tho' he is otherwilb a very accurate Author, has made a great many Miftakes, in what he has de- livered upon thi.i Head, tho* he fays he took it from a Letter oi Sebafiian Caboth» " Our Countryman, yifi^J- /r, a Man ** of great Experience, and pertcd>ly (killed in the Art of Navigation, and the Science of Colmography, failed along, and beyond the Coalt of New Ftuncey in the Service of Henry VII. of England, and he informs me, that having failed a long 'fimc. Weft by North beyond thofe Iflands, ** into the Lat. of 67°. 30'. upon the 1 ith of 7««f, finding ** an open Sea, without any Impediment, he made no Doubt at all of paffmg this Way to Cataia, which is in the Eaft, and Would have done it, if he had not been prevented by a Mutiny amongft the Seamen, who forced him to return Home.^' In the firft Place, Sehafi'ian Cabot was net a Ve- rietian, but an Engl/Jhman, bom at liri/lol; and tho' it be true, that he went with his Father, yet he was then a Boy, and con- fequentiy could not have at that Tim6 any great Skill in Na- vigation, but attained it afterwards. There is an Error in thtf Latitude of lo**. but however it is plain from this Account, that the Voyage was made for the Difcovery of a North W^eft Paftage, whidi was the Reafon I produced it* But in a Letter written by Sebajfi an Cabot \'\\rc\k\?y to the !Pope's Legate in Spainy he gives ftill a clearer Account of this Matter ; for therein he fays, that it was from the Ccnfidera- tion of the Structure of the Globe, the Defign was formed of failing to the Indies y by a North Weft Courfe. He obfeiTes farther, that falling in with Land unexpectedly, (for lie thought to have met with none till he had reached the Coafts of Tcr. taty) he failed along the Coaft to the Height of fifty-lix De- grees, and finding the Land theie run Eaftward, he quitted tiie Attempt, and failed Southward. It is more than probable, that this Mifcarriage fo difcouragcd Sebaflian Cabot, who, as we obfefved, was with his Father in this Ekpedition, that he thence forward renounced all Hoises of fucceeding ih, aiid con- fequerttly all Thoughts of profecuting this Defigii. It is very likely, fiiat he had next fome Thoughts of a Paflagc? to the Mis by the South, for in the 8th of King Henry VIll. he ,„ ' l\ 4 The fever al Expeditions to made a Voyage to Brazil, and was foon after drawn oviBn- to the Spanijh Service. While he refided there, he was em- ployed by a Company of Merchants to conduft a Squadron through the new difcovered Straits of Magellan to the EaJ}-^ Indies ; but inftead of doing this, he entered the River of Plate y difcovered the Country on both^des, follicited a Settlement to be made there, or in Paragu^ and remained in thofe Parts about five Years. The ill Ufage he met with from the Spanijh Court, made him think of returning to England, which he ac- cordingly did, and was here the principal Promoter of feveral Expeditions for difcovering a North Eaft Paflage ; in which tho' he met with as little Succefs as his Father had done, la fearching the North Weft, yet to thefe Attempts we owe our Xuffia Trade, which has been of fuch high Confequence to the Nation, as alfo the Greenland Yifhery , which for many Years was carried on with very great Profit. It was neceffary to mention thefe Particulars, in Relation to the Life and Tranfaftions of Sebafitan Cabot, for two Rea- fons ; firft to fhsw that thefe Projects of difcovering North Eaft, and North Weft Paflages, tho' they have been attended with fome Expence, and have neither of them as yet pro- duced what was expected from them, yet have in their Conle- quences brought fo great Profits to the EngUJh Nation, that there is no Reafon we fhould be difcouraged from purfuing them, fo long as any Hopes of Succefs remain. Secondly, becaufe from this Account we fee plainly the true Reafon why all Thoughts of a North Weft PafTage were laid afide for near fourfcore Years. For the greateft: Part of this Time Sebajlian Cabot y Efq; in Quality of Governor of the Rufpa Company, was the great Direftcr, and almoft die iole Manager of all our Expeditions for Difcovery, as appears as well from the In- ftruftions drawn by him for the Direftion of thofe who were employed to look for a North Eaft PafTage, as from feveral Charters, Commiflions, and other public Inftruments, in which we find him mentioned with great Honour, and treated as the Father and Founder of the Englijh Navigation. It does not indeed appear, that he ever declared in exprefs Terms, a- gainft making any farther Searches to the North Weft ; but as it is evident from the Letter of his, before mentioned, that he abfolutely defpaired of finding fuch a Paflage, it may be fairly prefumed, that during his Life-time, and confidering the great Influence he had in Matters of this Nature, no Proj ^ft for fuch a Difcovery would have met with any Encouragement ; and therefore we need not Vv'onder, that even in that Age, when hardly a Year pafl^ed but k ne Defign or other, for pro- moting ii to after drawn ov^bi- there, he was «n- :ondu6t a Squadron Magellan to the Eajl-^ d the River of Plate ^ llicited a Settlement lained in thofe Parts i^ith from the Spanijh 'gland, which he ac- Promofcr of feveral PafTage ; in which Father had done, in ttempts we owe oUr igh Confequence to y, which for many t. ticulars, in Relation Cabot, for two Rea- • difcovering North / have been attended f them as yet pro- have in their Confe- ngli/h Nation, that aged from purfuing emain. Secondly, he true Reafon why e laid afide for near this Time Sebafiian Ruffia Company, Manager of all our well from the In- thofe who were as from feveral Inftruments, in Dnour, and treated avigation. It does xprefs Terms, a- Drth Weft; but as mentioned, that he it may be fairly nfidering the great , no Proj.'ft for Encouragement ; ;ven in that Age, brother, for pro- moting Df difcover a North Weft PaflTage. ^ motjag Commerce and Navigation, was fet on foot, this re- mained as filent andunthought of, as if it never had been pro- pofed ; or a fingle unfuccefsful Attempt upon a Coaft never be- fore vifited, had been fufficient to extinguifli all Hopes, and produce abfolute Delpair of doing any Good in a matter of fuch Importance, the ConlMuences of which were fo well known to the enterprizing Navigators of thofe Times. BvT after his Deceafe Capt. Martin Frobi/herf a very able Seaman, who for fifteen Years had meditated his Defign, pro- pofed a Voyage for the Difcovery of the North Weft ; ancl be- ing countenanced by Ambrofe, Earl of Warwick, a Nobleman of great Credit with Queen Elizabeth, he had fitted out two Barks, the Gabriel, and the Michael, each of twenty-five Tons Burthen, and a Pinnace of ten Tons. He failed from Blackwall, June 15, 1657, and when he had been about a Month at Sea, the Men in the Michael defertcd him, returned Home, and reported that he was loft. The Captain however profecuted his Voyage, pafled tlirough a Strait between two Iflands, to which he gave his own Name. He advanced in this Voyage, as high as the Latitude of 63*^. 8'. and having had the Misfortune to lofe five of his Men, whom he fet on Shore, he refolved to return to England, bringing with him a Savage whom he had taken Prifoner, He quitted the Ifland where this Accident happened, on the 26th of Augujl ; and on the I ft of O^ober he arrived fafely at Yarmauth. Amongft other Curiofities which he brought back, there happened to be a Piece of black Stone, which as a Thing of no Value, was given to one of his Owner's Wives, who threw it in tlie Fire, where becoming red-hot, it was afterwards quenched in Vinegar, and when cold, fome Sparks were obferved to glifter in it like Gold ; upon this, Tryals were made, and the Refiners aflerted, that it held Gold ; upon which Preparations were made for a fecond Voyage, of the 3uccefs of which there were very high Ex- pe (Nations, In this fecond Voyage, Capt. Frobijher had one of her Majefty's Ships, called the y^id of two Hundred Tons, and the two Barks Gabriel and Michael: He failed May 31 , 1577, and on the i6th of July, difcovcred that Poipt of Land, which lay at the Entrance of FrobiJI^er^s-Str^iits-, and ta which he gave the Name of Queen Elizabeths- Foreland. It does not appear that he profecuted much Dilcovery in this Voyage, but contented himfelf with taking on board about two Hundred Weight of the fuppofed Gold Oar, wb.ich prov- ed afterwards good for nothing, made what Enquiiy he Cv)uld 3 3 after If :! ■i.T' j 1 ( ' ' I 6 tbefeveral Expeditions to after his Men, but to no Purpofe, (rarried off two 3ava-. ges, a Man and a Woman, and on the 24th of Au^ufl fail- ed for Enghnd, arriving on the 1 7th of September following, at Padfiow in Cornwall, in the Queen's Ship. The Barks be- ing fcparatedin their Paflfage, the Gabriel came to Bri/iol, and the Michasl, after failing round Scot land , came fafely to Taf- mouth. Queen Elizabeth was fo well pleafed with the Ac- count fhe received of this Expedition, that fhe encouraged a third, and beftowed upon the Continent, now difcovered, the Name of Meta incognita. The Hopes that were entertained of thefe new Indies, al- ^l^eady difcoveied, as well as of a Paffage to the old, which was accounted almoft certain, hadfuch an EfFeft, that a Squa- dron of fifteen Sail was ordered out the next Year, a Colony of one Hundred and Twenty Perfons was to be left behind, and three Ships ftationed on the Coaft ; the Queen likewife to honour the Captain the more, made him a Prefent of a Gold Chain. He failed from Harivich, May 31, 1578, arriv- ^d on the Coaf^s of his new difcovered Country, ^yhere they rnct with a Storm, in which the Ship was funk, that hadj the Materials for their Houfe on board ; fo that they made no Settlement, nor were they able to find Frobi/her^s-Straits, or the Gold Mine ; but after much Toil to very little Purpofe, returned to England^ in the lattei: End of September. It is faid, that Capt. Frobifher perfifted ui his Opinion of a Paflage, for the Difcovery of which however he never made any other Voyage. He conimandcd the Triumph in the famous Sea Fight with the Spanijh Jrmada'm 1588, and behaved fo well, that he obtained the Honour of Knighthood ; and fix Years af- terwards, receiving a Wound, at the taking of Breji, died of it, through the Want of SkUl in his Surgeon, foon after his Return to Plymouth. It isveryjiiftlyobfervedbyCapt. Fojc, that fi-om the Accounts we have of thefe three Voyages, it looks a^ if they had a Mind to keep this Gold Country to themfclves ; for except the La- titude of the Entran(;e of Frobi/ljer's Straits, ttiey have fetdown none ; and as to Meta incognita, it is now very well known to be Groenland. Mr. Egede, who has given iis the beft Ac- count of that Country extant, fpeaks thus of theft: DHcove- ries. * In all Sea Charts, fays he, you will find laid down f Frobi/her's Strait and Bear-Sound, which they pretend form * two large Ulands, adjacent to the Main Land, which I * think are not to be found, at Icaft not upon the Coaft of * Groenland; for I could not meet with any thing like it, in < the Voyage I undertook in the Year 1723, Southward, going • *• upon. s to Tied off two 9ava-. 24th of Aii^ufl fail- September following, hip. The Barks be- l came to Bri^ol, and came fafely to Taf- )leafed with the Ac- hat fhe encouraged a now difcovered^ the thefe new Indies , ai- re to the old, which n EfFeft, that a Squa- next Year, a Colony vas to be left behind, he Queen iikewife to I a Prefent of a Gold 7 3^, ^57^, arriv- red Country, where ip was funk, that had fo that they made no r obi/her'' s -Straits y or ) very little Purpofe, of September. It is )pmi6n of a Paflage, lever made any other in the famous Sea and behaved fo wellj^ )d ; and fix Years af- ing of Brefly died of geon, foon after his at from the Accounts if they had a Mind for except the La- ,they have fetdown very well known to ^en us the beft Ac- re of thefe Difcove- wHi find laid down h they pretend form lin Land, which I upon the Coaft of ny thing like it, in Southward, going * upon. difcover a North Weft Paffige. 7 ' upon Difcoveries, tho' I went as far as to 60°. that Way. * But atprcfent, the newer Charts lay them down the Nor- * them Strait in 63**. and the Southern in 62°/ It feemsnot altogether improbable, that Frnbijher*s Strait and Ifland, which he called Queen ElizabetPs-Foreland (for an Ifland he afterwards found it to be) lay on the Eaft Side of Croenlandy and perhaps not in fo high a Latitude as is fet down in his Account j befides fome other Reafons for faying this, which would take up too much Time to report here, the following Paflage, from Mr. Egede's Book, may poflibly in- cline the Reader to the fame Opinion, * In my Expedition upon Difcoveries, I found on a little Ifland, where we touched, fome yellow Sand, mixed with fome Sinople Red, or Vermillion Strokes, of which I fent a Quantity over to the Direftorsof thcC^roew/^w^Company at Bergen, to make a Trial of it : Upon which they wrote me an Anfwer, that I fliould endeavour to get as much as I could of the fame Sand ; but to theirs as well as my own Difappointment, I never was able to find this ifland again, where I had got this Sand, as it was but a very fmall and infignificant one, fituated among a great many others ; and the Mark I had taken care to put up, was by the Wind blowa down. Neverthelefs, there has been enough of the fame Stuflf found up and down in the Country; which when it is burnt, changes it's former Colour for a reddKh Hue, which it Iikewife does if you keep it a while fliut up clofe. Whether or no this be of the fame Sort of Sand, as that of which Sir Martin Frobijher is faid to have brought fome Hundred Tuns to England, and was pretended to contain a great deal of Gold, and of which fome of the Danijh Groen- land Company's Ships returned freighted to Copenhagen, in the Year 1636, is a Queftion which I have no mind to decide. However, thus much I can fay, that by the finall Experience I have acquired in the Art of Chymiftry, I have tried both by Extraction and Precipitation, if it would yield any Thing, but always loft my Labour. After all, I de- clare I never could find any other Sort of Sand, that con- tained either Gold or Silver.' In another Part of his Book, he queftlonsthe Truth of Frobijher^ Account of the Country, and feems to flight the Gold Sand that he carried from thence ; notwithftanding which, he owns , that a certa'mDani//j Comman- der, in the Year 1636, brought home two Ship Loads of this Sand out of Davis^s -Straits, at the Charge of the High Chan- cellor of Denmark] which, upon tryal by the Goldfmiths at Ct- fenhagen, was pronounced to be mere Sand and of no Value, and B 4 as '71 ilMl \. li \ - n I- t The fever al Expeditions to as fuch thrown into the Sea ; the Shame of which broke the poor Captain's Heart. But after his Deceafe, a fmail Parcel, which the Chancellor had kept, fell into the Hands of an abler Workman, who extra6ted good Gold from it, and that too in a confiderable Quantity. Sir Martin Frobifherh fhining Sand had not this good Fortune, which was fome Prejudice to the Progrefs of |his Defign, of findirig a North "Weft Paf- fage.' ■ ' '■■■,:;;;,•■■' ^" '.:" I N Frobi/her's fecond Voyage, the Gabriel was commanded by one Mr. Edward Feniorty a Gentleman of a good Family, and a great Favourite of the Earl of Warwick^. In the third Expedition, Capt. Fenton commanded the Judith j and was Rear Admiral of the Fleet. He had fo good an Opinion of the En- terprize, that when he was fent on an Expedition to the Eaji- Indies y he procured an Article to be inferted in his Inftruftions, which' were dated Jpril 9, 1582, direftinghim to endeavour the P'hips proceeded and Ir. Fenton's Defign, ie Man, and an able ite for the Probabi- |y of Merchants of Afliftance of fome [the Difcovery, and Sun/hincj of Fifty y-five Tons. ' He id on the abth of ntrance of thofe [which he gave the fame Month, they 15'. and tiiere he , whom he found On the 6th of f 66*^/40'. in an noble Mountain, Gold, to which called the Road, ; and the South th of the fame Gad's Mercy, to the 3.^ difiover a North Weft Paffage. 9 ^e Southermoft Point of Land, and then entered a fair Strait, thro' which he failed fixty Leagues, N. N. W. with IfJands in the middle, but a fair Paflage on both Sides; he met with Signs of People ppon the Shore, and found the Tide flow fix or feveni Fathom, but could not find from whence it came. On the 2 1 ft, he failed for England, and on the 30th of Sep. iember he arrived at Yarmouth. He feeras to have been the firft that examined the Weft Side ofCroenland, on which he iailed to the Height of 64°. 15'. and on the ether Side, he difcovered from 3ie Height of 660. 40', and returned Home iafely. Th?s Expedition gained Gapt. Davis, fo much Credit, that he was fent out agam with four Ships, the Mermaid, of One Hundred Tons, the Sunjhine, the Moon/bine, and the Norths Star, of Ten Tons. He failed from Dartmouth, May 7, 1586, and on the 15th of June difcovered Land in the Lati- tude of 60®. North, and in the Longitude of 47**. Weft from London ; but being hindered from approaching it by Ice, he was conflrained to bear away to the Lat. of 57*^. ii^ order to double it, and recover an open Sea, which he did. Oh the 29th of the fame Month, he again difcovered Land in the Latitude of 64°. and in the Longitude of 58^. 30'. Weft from London, where he went on Shore, and traded with the Natives, of whom he gives a large Account, very little dif- ferent from what the Reader will meet with in fome of the pnfuing Pages. He found this to be broken Land with great Sounds and Inlets. About the middle of July he fent Home the Mermaid, and continued his Expedition in the Moon/hine. On the I ft of Augufi he difcovered Land in the Latitude of 66^. 33'. and in the Longitude of 70^'. Weft from London he faw many Inlets, but attempted none; and on the 19th of the fame Month, he began to return Home, and arrived fafely in England in the Beginning of October ; fo that in this iecond Voyage, he did not fo much as in the firft ; which, perhaps, might be owing to his having the Command of a Squadron. On his Return he wrote a Letter to Mr. Sander fon, who was Treafurer of the Company; in which he affirmed, that he had brought the Pafiage to a Certainty, and that it muftbe in one of four Places, that he had remarked, or not at all ; adding that farther Diicoverics might be made without ^more Expence, fuppofing that the Fi(hery would more than defray it. In Expeftation of this, he was fitted out a third Time, having with him the 6'//«/^/«f, die Elizabeth of Dart- mouth, and the Ellen of London, He failed from Dartmouth OA w ni i't; 1! 10 V'he feveral Expeditions t9 pn the 19th of May, on the 14th of June they difcovered Land, and on the 1 6th the]' anchored in a Harbour, where they traded witli the People. On the 30th of the fame Month he was m the Latitude of yi°. 1 2'. on the Weft Side ofGro- eniand; he called the moft Northern Point of the Land he faw Hope Sanderfott; he then rap Weftward 40 Leagues and better, without any ^ight of Land. On the 1 7th of July he hacl Sight of Mount Raleigh : On the 23d he anchored in the Bot- tom of the Gulph, and called the Iflands there Cwnberlanu' JJlands : On the 26th he met with a, great Storm, and on the 30th he difcovered that which he called Lumley's-Jnlet, be-» tween 62**. and 63*. He returned to Dartmouth the 15th of September; and in a Letter that he wrote to Mr. Sander/on, he maintains the Probability of a Paflage through the Strait that bears his Name; and in this Opinion he continued all his Life, as Sir William Monfon informs us, who tho' he had no Opinion of the Paflage himfelf, yet he allows that Capt. Da^ vis's Arguments in its Favour were very plaufible. After this third Voyage of Capt. Davis, Expeditions ibr the Difcovery of a North Weft Paflage were ror fome Years fufpended j but ftill the Opinion, that fuch a Pafl*age might, and fome Time or other would, be found, continued and kept up its Credit; and Sir Humphry Gilbert, a very gal- lant, and learned Gentleman, Half-Brother to the ever me-j morable Sir Walter Raleigh, wrote a very curious, and for thofe Times, a very judicious Difcourfe upon this Subjeft, and procured a Patent for fettling the Weft Part of America, with a View, in all Probability, to this Difcovery. Some other Papers of the like Purport were wrote about the fame Time ; and from the Authorities mentioned in them, it very clearly appears, that the Notion of a North Weft Paflage was at this Tipie general, among the ahleft Cofmographers, and moft intelligent Seampn in Spain, Portugal and Italy ; jaot to mention the pofitive Afliirances given by fome, that Ships had aftually returned from the Eafi-Indies through this Paflage. To give a diftinft and particular Account of thefe Meters would require a Volume ; and therefore it may be liifficient for our Purpofe, to give a fingle Inftance, as indeed it is a very fingular one, of the Credit of this Opinion, amongft Men ofthebeft Judgments, who were employed in the Eafi-Indies. Capt. James Lancafier, who was fent in the Spring of, die l^ear 1600, with four large Ships into thofe Parts, being the firft Fleet ever fent thither by an Englijh Eafi- India Com- pany ; jn his Return Home on board the DragQn, met with a StoriH ■, 1 td ne they dKcovcreJ a Harbour, where of the fame Month e Weft Side of C7ro. of the Land he faw Leagues and better, th of July he had ichored in the Bot- there Cumberlanu- Storm, and on the Lumley' s- Inlet y be-» •trnouth the 1 5th of to Mr. Sanderforif through the Strait lie contmued all his rho tho' he had no wsthat Capt. Da^ auTible. ')avis, Expeditions ige were for fome hat fuch a Paflage e found, continued Ulbert, a very gal- r to the ever me-t curious, and for upon this Subjeft, Part of /America, ifcovery. Some e about the fame in them, it very th Weft PaOage \ Gofmographers, Vfugal and Italy j [en by fome, that ^dies through this Account of thefe efore it may be iftance, as indeed f this Opinion, ere employed in in the Spring of, lofe Parts, being \aj} -India Gom- flf^««, met with a StorH^ iljtomtf a North Weft Paffage. 1 1 ptorm off the Cape of Co^d HopCy in which his Ship loft her Rudder, and was otherwife damaged, infomuch that he was perfuaded to go on board the Heiior^ another of the Gompa- ny's Ships, for his Security. But that brave and vigilant Officer, believing his Prefence might contribute more than any thing elfe to the Prefervation of the Ship he was in, refufcd to quit her, contenting himfelf with writing a ftiort Letter to the Company, wherein he told them, they might be fure he would do his utmoftto fave the Ship and Cargo, by his venturing his own Life, and the Lives of thofe who were with him ; ad- ding this remarkable Poftfcript, in the midft of his Confufion, The Pajfage to the Eaft-Indies lies in 62°. 30'. by the North Weft, on the American Side. One may from hence infer, that this Gentleman, who for his great Conduft, Courage and . Integrity, was afterwards knighted, looked upon this as a Thing of great Certainty, as well as great Confaquence ; otherwil^ he would not have given it Place in fuch a Letter, at fuch a Time, and under fuch Circumftances. It is not at all im- probable, that it might be in Purfuanqe of the Company's Inftru^tions; for whoever confiders it maturely, will be of Opinion, that fuch a Difcovery imported no Body of Men in this Nation more than the Eafi-India Company. The Confideration of all thefe Circumftances together, ve- ry poffibly with this PaflTage in Captain I.ancafier^s Letter, which made a great Noife at that. Time, induced the Ruffia and Turkey Companies, about fifteen Years after the Re- tom of Captain Davis from his laft Voyage, to refolve upon fending two Veflels in Search once more of the North Weft Paftage. Thefe were commanded by Capt. George Weymouth ^ a very able Officer and fkilful Seaman ; he failed on the 16. of Mayy 1602, in the Difcovery of feventy Tons, in Company with the Good/peed of fixty Tons, commanded by Mr. John Drew. On the 4th of June he had fight of the Orkneys; on the 28th he was in the Latitude of 62^. 30'. when he defcry- ed Warivickh Foreland, and ftanding along the Coaft, faw great Reafon to believe tliat it was an Ifland; and fuppofing it fo to be, he concluded, that Lumley's- Inlet, and the next Southern Inlet muft of Neceffity be one Sea ; and as there is a great Current there, fetting to the Weft, he tlience inferred there might be reafonable Hopes of a Paffage. He farther pbferved, that the Land of America was all broken. On the 19th of July his Men mutinied, and took a Refolution to re- turn to England, for Reafbns which they gave him, offering at the fame Time, if with the Benefit of a North Weft Wind, which they then had, he would endeavour a Difcovery in 60**. If tl la 8!i ^he feveral Expeditions to or 57**. they were willing to run rny Hazard with him i from whence Capt. Fox infers, that he had fome on board, who were wifer thanhimfelf; but being jn the Latitude of 68'. 53'. (as he fays) the Men abfolutely rcfufed to proceed, On the 26th, he reckoned himfelf in the Entrance of an Inlet at 6;9. 40'. into which Inlet he affirms, that he failed 100 Leagues, Weft by South, that it was forty Leagues broad, very little incommoded with Ice, and a Paflage with more Probability to be ejqiefted there than in Davis's-Straits ; but as the Year was far fpent, and many of his Men in both Ships lick, he thought fit to return to England, and arrived fafely at Dartmouth on the 5th o( /^ugufi. It is Capt. /ox's Opinion, that ffom the Lights afforded by Davis , and Weymouth , Hud- fqn wag principally guided in his Difcovery, f Wp come next to fpeak of this great but unfortunate Sea-^ man, who in Point of Skill was inferior to feWj in regard to Courage furpafled by none, and in Point of Induftry and La- bour hardly equalled by any. He was taken into the Service of a Qompany of very eminent Merchants, whp were bent ot^ making a Difcovery of a fhorter Paflage tp the Eafi-Indies, whether by the North, the North Eaft, or the North Weft ; and in their Service he fearched for every one of thefe ; nei- ther does it appear from any of the Accounts now extant, that ^ny Company were ever at fo great an Expence, perfifted fo Jong, qr did fcj much, towards clearing up th^s Point, as the Company by which Huc^on was employed ; and yet it does not appear, that they had any particular or private Views ; but took all this Pains for the Sake of thofe Advantages that muft havfi refulted to the Public, in Cafe tlieir Endeavours. had fucceeded. It is juftly to be regretted that the Names of thefe gei^erous Perfons, have not been preferved to Pofterity ; but that all we know of them is, that they were certain Wor- Jhipful Merchants of ho -HI) on; at that Time, no doubt, and long after, when Purchas made his Golle6lion, it was a Thing fo well known, that publifhing it Teemed to be unne- cefTary, from whence it unlukily happens, that what was o- verlooked then, muft remain in perpetual Oblivion to fucceed-. ing Times. The firft Voyage Capt. Hudfon made, in the Service of this Society, was to difcover a PafTage to the Eajl-Indies , by failing dire^lly North, in which he did not fpend quite five Montiis, departing from Gravefend, the ift of May, 1607, and returning thither again the 1 5th of September the fame Year. In this Voyage there are fcveral Things very rr-^^iika- ble: On the 1 3th of 7«« an open Sea^ and a great Quantity of Drift-Wood ; they obferved that an Azure or Blue Sea was generally incommoded with Ice ; but the green Sea o- pen : On the 1 4th of July, Gapt< Hudfon fent his Mate and his Boatfwain on (hore, in the Latitude of 80®* 23'. being then on the Coaft of Spitzbergen or Greenhnd ; they found the Track of Beafts, faw fome Water-Fowl, and met with a Stream or two of frefh Water, ofwhich they drank heartily^ the Weather bemg hot ; and obferving the Sun at Midnight> they found his Body 10®. 40'. above the Horizon. He continued to advance to near the Latitude of 82*'. and would have proceeded farther^ but was hindered by the Ice ; he after- wards made an Attempt to fail round Croenland by the North Weft } and fo to have returned home thro' Davis^s-Straits, but found that likewife impracticable^ Upon his Rrtum, he was Employed again to difcover a North Eaft Paflage; he CaWed JpHl 22, 1608, and returned again on the 26th of Augu/i the fame if ear ; he firft tried to pafs between Spitzitergen and Nova-Zemblay but was hindered by the Ice; he then coifted along the latter, and found the Country tolerably pleafant ; nor was he without fome Hopes of finding another Paflage, than by that called the Straits of Weygatz; but failing in this alfo, he bore away from thence to make Trial of the North Weft Paflage, by entering Lum- lefs -Inlet ; but finding it impoflible to arrive there in TimCy he laid afide that Defign, and made the beft of his Way home. In 1609, he went again in fearch of the North Eaft Pafl"age, and having examined the Coaft of Nuva-Zembla to no Pur- pofe, he bore away for Ne-wfoundland, where he traded fome time with the Savages, and from thence proceeded to Virginia. One may reafonably fuppofe, that he did this with Dedgn to leflen the Expences of the Voyage, that the Company might not be tired with bearing continual Lofles, without meeting any Succefs ; and upon his return from hence, it was, that he undertook his laft, and fatal Voyage, cxprefly for difco- vering a Paflage by the North Weft, He ;■! (FI ! ' i Si *«w-»i«^vt«»»rj .^^jfjjjt^ ill f I ! I ! i \'"J : ! i t4 Tbefeveral Expeditions to He failed from Blackwall, /Ipril 17, 1610, and plyirt^ down the River with the Lee he took an Opportunity there of ridding himfelf of one Mr. Colebuntef a ycry able and (kilful Seaman, whom his Owners had put on board him as his Af- fiftant, by fending him back to London in a Pink, with a Let- ter, in which no doubt, he gave the beft Colour he could to this ftrange Proceeding; which proved an unlucky Precedent, fof the fending him out of the Ship in a much worle Place . In the latter end of May^ he reached the Ifland oi Iceland, and put in- to a Harbour in the North Eaft Part of it, where he was kind • ly entertamed ; yet here fome Difputes arofeamongfthis Crew, which with fome Difficulty he pacified* On the firft of Juni he failed from Iceland ; on the 9th of the fame Month he took himfelf to be off Frobij^er^s Straits ; on the 15th he faw Land* which Capt. Davis called Defolation\ on the '24th he began to enter into thofe Straits which have fince bnrne his Name. On the 8th of July, being in the Height of 60®. he gave the Name of Dejire -Provoked, to the Land he faw on the South Side of the Strait ; on the nth he was amongft fome Iflands, to which he gave the Name of the I fid ofGoJ*s Mercy ; found the Tide flow higher than four Fathoms, the Flood coming from the North, High Water at Eight of the Clock on the Change of the Moon, in the Latitude of 62°. 9'. On the 3d oi Auguft, he pafled through the Straits, obferving that the Tide came from the North, flo^ving from the Shore five Fathoms; the Cape at the Paflage out on the Eaft Side, he called Cape Wit- Jienholme ; and that on the South Weft Shore, Cape Diggs ; he failed down to the Bottom of the Bay, and very carefully fearched the Weft Side, in which he fpent the Time, till to- wards the. Beginning of September, when he removed Robert ' fuett, his Mate, for his mutinous Behaviour : During the . whole Voyage, he ftill continued fearching the Bay, probably with an Intent to find out a fit Place to winter in; and the be- ginning of Nrjember, he found a Place in the South Weft Part, which he judged moft proper for his Purpofe ; and there , he canfed the Veflel to be hauled afhore» As he was vidhialled at hio coming from England, for fix Months only, and had been out now full that Time, it may be prefumed that they . underwent great Hardlhips, in which, however, it is fufficient ly evident that he fliared with them. In the Beginning of the cnfuing Spring, after making a ftiort Trip in a (hallop for nine Days, to try whether he could meet with any Savages, who would fumift^ him with Provifions, and being difappointed, he returned, and getting the Ship ready, prepared to fail for Snglandf diftributing the Bread a^ionglt thofe People that were on 1 i6io, and plyit^ Ipportunity th«rc of ery able and Ikilful )ard him as his Af- Pink, with a Let* [our he could to this icky Precedent, fof ode Place. In the /cc/ which affords us an Opportu- nity of faying fomewhat concerning the Birds of this Coun- try, that may prove both entertaining and mflruftive to the ' Reader. The brown afld fpotted Heathcock^ \vhich continued all • the Year in the CouaUrie* about Hudfon's-J^ay, is fomewhat / bigger fj to lut a Pinnace, wlricn ling then W^eftward^ Cary-S-wan^s-Neft ; he Wefti he fell in . to which he gave t thci-c with a great md conflraincd him light repair the Da- 15th or j4uguft he f'that Rivcfi which e of the Mailer of hero he refolvcd to s fmaller Ship fore- 5 both with a Barri- irr, and ftrengthen- tn from Snowj Ice^ Board his Ship^ m ere is no doubt that ?eople ; he notwith- himfrlf much indif- f the Winter, which ve no diftinft) iregu- 5} tho* Ic is certain^ oumalj anAbib-aft jy S*r Thomas RoCy ceding ftrong Hopes ep the Honour of the •y induftrious to con- idepublick. All we efted from diiFerent s, and it is from thefe le Rigour of the Sea- Februafy, which was fo that they had as others that Wire liftrcfTed for Provi- 3pace of the Win- hundred Y>oitvi of ds us an Oppottu- Birds of this Goun- id mftruftive to th6 ;hich continues all 'Payt is fomewhat bigger fi -f difcover a North Weft Paflagf. xy bigger than an Engl'ifh PartriJjTc, longer bodied, and has a lonij;or Tail in proportion. The Hill is black, covered vith brown FcatI ers; the Skin above the I'-yc red; the top «»f the Head, the upper Part of the Neck, and down the Back co- vered with Feathers of a dark brown, mixed with a dull orange, and alh Colour; the Tail is of a dark brown, il.c Throat under the Bill of a ycUowifh white, the Neck and Brcallof a dull orange, with Spots in the Form of Hulf- Moons of black ; the Brcall and under the Body of ti^c Bird to the Tail white clouded with cream Colour, fpotted with black Half- Moons; the Legs from tie Knee-joint down to the Feet covered with a kind of hairy Feathers of a br /wn Colour, intermixed with black ; the Feet of a rcddifh brown; and three Toes forward having Claws pretty long and black ; thefe Toes are jagged, but the hinder Toes arc Imooth on the fides. It is remarkable, that thefe Birds are Inhabitants of the low Country in thofc Parts, tho' the fame Sp( cie3 with us are only found in very high Lands, and on the Tops of Mountains. The white Partridge is of a middle Size, between ouf common Partridge and the Phcalant, fliaped very nAich like the former, except that its Tail is fomewhat longer* In the Summer Seafon thelc Birds arc mollly brown, but in thd Winter they become perfeftly white, except the outward Fea- thers of the Tail, which arc black Tipped with white. Irt thatfevere Seafon they repofe themfelves in the Snow all Night, aod in the Morning fly direftly up to ihakc off the Snow. In thtf middle of the Day they fun themfelves, and feed only in the Morning and Evenings. They breed and continue in thofc Parts all tlie Year, which is a great Relief to fuch as inhabit that Country. But after all, as the ingenious and accurate Mr. Edixjards obferves, this Bird is not properly a Partridge, but of that kind which we call the Heath Game, and is commort to Jmerica and Europe ^ being found in the Mountains of Italy, Switzerland, Spain, drc. but no where in fuch Plenty as in the Regions about Hudfcn^s-Bay. The Pelican is alfo common in this Country, which U fomewhat bigger than a large tame Goofe ; the upper IMan- dible of the Bill is narrower in the middle than at either End, and is received into the lower, except towards the Point, which widens and receives the lower into it; the Point is red, but the upper and under Part towards the Head, are of a yel- low Colour; the Pouch When dry, relemblcs an Ox's Blad* der blown, and is prodigioufly large while the Creature is living J the Head and Neck are covered with white Feathers^ G ' tb* t t ~«iriiii— r . i ) t • 1 1 1 1 i r 1. f. .18 The feveral Expeditions to the Body of a dirty a(h Colour, the Quills of the "Wings arfl black, aU the under Part is of a dark afli Colour, the Legs arc fhort, with four Toes, '.vebbed together, die middle Toe is longer than the Leg, and both the Legs and Feet are of a dirty yellow, mii^ed with green ; the Claws are dark. Thefe Birds •live chiefly upon Filh, and are thought to mhabit moft Parts of the Globe ; at leaft, it is certain that they are common here, and in the Northern parts of Rujfia; tiiey likewife a- bound in Egypt, and are fometimes found near the Cape of GjocI Hope, wher*'^ they are of a mucl\ larger Size; one that was publickly fhewn here, and brought from thence being twice as big as a large Swan, and the Pouch under the Bill fo large, that his Keeper with great eafe put his Head into it. There are like wife in this Country fome very curious Birds, with refpeft to their Size and Strength; fuch as White Tailed Eagles, about the Bignefs of a Turkey -Cock, flat crowned, fliort necked, full breafted, with brawny Thighs, • and having very long and broad Wings, in proportion to it's Body, but darker on the Back, and lighter on the Sides ; the Breaft fpotted with white, the Quills of the Wings black, the Tail when clofed white, both above and below, except the very Tip of the Feathers, which are black or brown, the Thighs covered with daik brown Feathers, thro' which, in fome Places, a white .Down appears, the Legs to the very Feet covered with foft leathers of a reddilh brown ; it has four Toes on each Foot, very thick and ftrong, (landing three forward and one backward, covered with yellow Scales, and armed with very ftrong Claws, of a ihining black, with very fharp Points; there are befides thefe, feveral kinds of Falcons or Ha-wks, and other Birds of prey. The great Horned Giul is alfo common in this Country, which is a very fmgular Bird, with a Head very little inferior in Size to that of a Cat, and what are called the Horns, compofed of Featliers, rifingjuil above the Bill, intermixed at the Bottom with white, becom- ing of a red brown by Degrees, and tipped with black. The great White Oivl, of a bright fhining Colour, fo as fcarce to be diftinguifhed from the Snow, is common here like wife, and continues the whole Year through in this Country, where it is frequently feen flying by Day, and preys upon the white Partridge. •T H E R E are alfo fome Beafts, that are Angular enough, and are generally efteemed peculiar to this Country, fuch as the White Bear, a Creature very different from the common Bear; hav- ing a long Head, and a Neck much thinner than other Crea- tures of that Kind: It is faidto make a Noife, not unlike the barking r to ills of the "Wings arfl Colour, the Legs arc r, tlie middle Toe is and Feet are of a dirty- re dark. Thefe Birds t to inhabit moft Parts that they are common iiffia ; ijfiey likewife a- ound near the Cape of larger Size; one that rht from thence being Pouch under the Bill eafe put his Head into ry fome very curious trength ; fuch as White a Turkey -Cock, flat with brawny Thighs, i, in proportion to it's fhter on the Sides ; the f the Wings black, the ind below, except the black or brown, the hers, thro' which, in the Legs to the very reddifh brown ; it has d ftrong, {landing three ith yellow Scales, and lining black, with very everal kinds of Falcons The great Horned Civl is a very fmgular Bird, to that of a Cat, and )f Feathers, rifingjuft m with white, becom- )ped with black. The Colour, fo as fcarce to )mmon here likewife, n this Country, where preys upon the white ingular enough, and are try, fuch as the White common Bear ; hav- nnei than other Crea- Noife, not uniike the barking difcover a North Weft Paflagtf. 19 barking of a Dog that is hoarfe; There are different Sizes, great and fmall ; their Hair is long and foft as Wool ; and dieir Nofes and Mouths are black, and fo are their Claws j they fwim from one Field of Ice to another, and dive under Water for a long Time. Near the Sea Coaft, they feed chiefly upon dead Whales; but on fhore, on any thing they can get. The Porcupine of Hudfon's'Day refcmbles in Shape and Size a Beaver ; the Head is not unlike that of a Rabbit ; it has a flat Nofe, entuely covered with ihort Hair ; the Teeth before, two above, and two below, are of a yellow Colour, and remarkably ftrong ; it has very fmall fliojt iars, which hardly appear without the Furr ; the Legs too are very fliort, bi-iC the Claws, of which it has four on it's fore Feet, and five oa the hind, are long, hollow within, like Scoops, and very fliarp pointed. It is covered all over the Body with a pretty foft Furr, abour. four Inches long ; beneath the Hair, on the upper Part of the Head, Body and Tail, it is very thick, fe£ with ftiarp fliifF Qiiills, which are white, with black Points, bearded, and not eafily drawn out, when they have entered the Skin. The Porcupine ufually makes his Neft under the Roots of great Trees, and fleeps much; he feeds chiefly upon the Bark of Trees, eats Snow in the Winter, and drinks Water in the Summer, but carefully avoids going into it. The Savages eat them, and efteem their flefli both a whol- fome and a pleafant Food. The Quick' Hatch or Wolverene is another very extraor- dinary Beafl: of the fize of a large Wolf; the Snout of the upper and under Jaw, as far as the Eyes, is black, the upper Part of the Head whitilh, the Eyes dark ; the Throat, and under Part of the Neck, white fpotted with black ; the Ears fmall and round ; the whole Body of a reddifti brown, darker at the Shoulders and Rump, and lighter upon the Back and Sides. The Furr of the whole Body is pretty long, but not very clofe, the Feet as f r ".a the firft: Joint, are covered with fliort black Hair, but the Legs are brown and the Claws of a light Colour, the Tail is mofl: of it brown, but towards the Tip bufhy and black. This Creature in going carries his Head very low, fo that his Back rifes arch wife ; when attacked, he defends himfeif with great Force and Obfl:inacy, and it is laid, will tear Traps, Ginns, and other fuch Inventions to pieces, in a very furprizing Manner. But to return to Capr* Button. He carried with him in this Expedition, feveral Perfona of great Skill and Capacity, fuch as the Mafler of the Refolw Q 2 tiofi^ > ■ '- 20 The fever al Expeditions to tiortj Mr. Nelpmj who was a very experienced Seaman, and fuggefted to him mod of the Precautions, taken for the Frefervation of his People in the Winter. Capt. Ingram^ who commanded the Difcoveryj was alfo a Man of great Abilities ; andfo was Captain C/7'^wj, of whom Button mh\i Journal fays, that he never carried abetter Seaman with him in his Life. He had alfo one Capt. Hawkridge with him, who made fome Notes upon the Voyage, and who having tried the Tide dXSavage-Jjles, found it came from the South Eaft, and rofe three Fathoms. From him we learn, that he had an Encounter with the Savages at Cape IVoljlenholme , who came to attack him in two Canoes, in which there were about fourfcore Perfons, and who furpriling his Men a-fhore, when they were filliig Water, killed five of them, in Re- venge for his taking four of their large Canoes, of which he returned but two. He had alfo one Jo/ias Huharty who was his Pilot, and we fhall hereafter take Notice of a fmgular In- ftancehe gave of his Capacity, and of the juft Notions he had of the true Way of feeking the Paflkge ; and not to detain the Reader longer upon this Head, we fhall mention but one Man more, which was Ahbacuc Prickett, who was with Capt. Hudfon, in the laft unfortunate Voyage, when he was bafely facrificcd by his mutinous Crew. While they were lying ftill in the Winter, Captain 5«/- /o« veryjudicioufly devifed a Method of employing the Time of the principal Perfons on board him, to the Service of the Expedition, and his own Satisfaction; which at the fame Time cut off all Occafions for Murmuring or Difcontent, by taking up that Space, which had it remained unemployed, their Heads might have run upon Things of a lefs ufcful Na- ture, and which might have created Differences and Difputcs. Some he kept bufy in fettling the Courfe and Diftance from Place to Place; to others he propofed, as it fecms, the fol- lowing Queftions, viz, what it was poflible for them to do where they were, when the Weather became open ? and how the Difcovery they were fent to make, might be beft profe- cuted, when they fliouldbe abl; to go to Sea? To which Quef- tions, Mr. Hubart before mentioned wrote the following Anfwer. * My Anfwer to the firft Demand, is under your Favour, ' I think it not amifs to fearch this River, if God give Strength ' to our Men, before our Departure from it, to have the * Knowledge how far it doth extend, and that we may meet * with fome Inhabitants, which may further our Expedlations , * but I cannot think of any Profit to be made by it. t < t < t t t < < Mr i hm to experienced Seaman, lutions, taken for the Iter. Capt. Ingram, alfo a Man of great )f whom Button in his tter Seaman with him {a-wkridge with him, afre, and who having came from the South tiim we learn, that he It Cape JVoljienholme f 5, in which there were iling his Men a-fhore, five of them, in Re- Canoes, of which he 'ias Huhart, who was otice of a lingular In- the juft Notions he had ge ; and not to detain fhall mention but one ', who was with Capt. , when he was bafely Winter, Captain But- employing the Time to the Service of the which at the fame ing or Difcontent, by mained unemployed, ^s of a lefs ufcful Na- ierences and Difputcs. fe and Diltance from as it fecms, the fol- iflible for them to do ame open ? and how might be beft profe- ea ? To which Quef- wrote the following under your Favour, if God give Strength from it, to have the id that we may meet [er our Expedlations , Imade by it. ' Mr difcover a North Weft Paflage. 21 ' My Anfwcr to the fecond Demand is, to fcarch to the ' Northward about this Wefteni Land, until, if it be poffible, * that wc may find the Flood coming from the Wcftward, and ' to bend our Courfcs againfl that Flood, following the Ebb, ' fearching that Way for the Paffage. For this Flood, which * we have had from the Eaftward, I cannot be pcifuaded, but * that they are the Veins of fome Headland to the North - ' wards of the Cheeks, and by the Inlets of Rivers, which * let the Flood-Tides into them; which Headlands being ' found, I do afTure myfelf, that the Tide will be found to ' come from the Weftward. * Herein I have fhewed my Opinion, fo far as my Judg- ' ment will afford, until further Reafons induce me to the * contrary.' Jo fas Hub art. Whoever is a proper Judge of thefe Matters, muft allow, that this Man was perfectly right, and laid down the only, true and fenfible Method for difcovering a Paflage. The Ri- ver began to clear about the 2ifl: o( Jpril, but it is certain, that he did not get out to Sea, till more than two Months after, and then the Extract we have of his Journal, fhews that he examined the Weft Side of the Bay, and gave Names to feveral of the Places remarkable therein, which they ftill bear : His own Name he left to the Bay, where he wintered, ; and the adjacent Country he called New-Wales. In the Lati- tude of 60*^. finding a ftrong Race of Tide, running fome- times Eaftward, and fometimes Weftward, Mr. Hubart in his Chart fet it down, by the Name of Hubart^s Hope ; the higheft he failed to the North, feems to be 65*^. and from the Obfer- vations he made there, more elpecially of the Tides, he came Home perfedlly fatisfied, that a North Weft Paflage might be found ; and he told Mr. Briggs, the famous Mathematician, that he convinced King y^w^f J- of the Truth of this Opinion. But it would have been more advantageous to tl:iis Nation, if he had fuflered his Journal to be publiftied, or at leaft had given the World the Grounds upon which his Sentiment was built, as he lived many Years after this, became a rich Man, and a great Patron to thofe who fet on foot the Trade to Gui- nea. It is for Want of his Journal, that we have no Ac- .count when he returned : All we know of it, is from the Re- ^port of Pricket, who faid they met with no Ice, till they were in Hudfon's Straits', and that they came Home in iixteen 'Days. j We are told, the Reafon Capt. Button did not make ano- :ther Voyage for Difcovery, was the Death of Prince Henry C3 hi* 4 'n I M H *'■] U ■ . 2 2 7!^(? feveral Expsdiiions to his Mafter, \vhich happened in his Abfcnce ; but it may be prefumed, that he imparted his Inftruftions freely to his Kinf- man and great Favourite Gapt. Gibbons y who was fcnt in the fame Ship called the Difcoveryy upon the fame Defign in 1614; but he was very unfortunate, for miffing the Entrance of Hudfon*s-StraitSy he was driven by the Ice into a Bay in the Latitude of 57**. upon the North Eaft Main, which wa$ called Gibbon' s - Hole , where he lay twenty Weeks in very great Danger, and his Ship received fo much Damage, that for this Reafon, and becaufe the Seafon was loft, he thought proper to ^return. The fame Company of Merchants, or at leaft fome of them, not at all difcouraged by thefe repeated Difappoint- ijients, fitted out the very next Year, which was 161 5, the Difcoveryy a VefTel of fifty-five Tons, and gave the Com- mand of it to Capt. Robert Bylot, a very experienced Mariner, Vho had been in all the three Expeditions of Hudfon, Button and Gibbons y who had with him for his Pilot the famous William Baffiney a very able Mariner, and one well acquainted with the Northern Navigation, and the Greenland Fifhery ; fo that without doubt, very high Expeftations were entertained of the Succefs of this Voyage. Capt. Bylot failed on the 1 8th of Jpril ; on the 6th of May he had fight %i Greenland , on the Eaft Side of Cape Fareivel. He made the Refolution on the 27th of the fame Month ; and on the North Side he found a good Harbour, where an Eaft South Eaft Moon made High Water, and the Tide flowed four Fathom. At Savage-IJlands he met with a great many of the Natives, and traded with them ; he lays this down to be in 62*^. 30'. and affirms, the Tide role there as high as at Refolution', he proceeded thence to Mill-Jflandy which he fo named from the Grinding of the Ice ; it lies in the I,.atitude of 64°. and there the Tide came from the South Ealt. On the loth of July he faw Land lying Weft from him, and his Men being fcnt to try the Tide, affirmed it came from the North , which gave him fome Hopes of a Paflage ; he therefore called this Cape Comfort, in the Latitude of ^5*^. and in the Longitude of 86'*. 10'. We/i from Lond'.n. But having doubled the Cape, and proceeded twelve • thirteen Leagues, he faw the Land tend North EafI by Eaft, whidi put an End to his Hopes ; and therefore he returned Jiome, and anchored in Plymouth -Sound on the 9th of September, without lofmg a Man, It feems from this Voyage, that he was difcouraged from looking farther in Jfudfon's-Bay, tho' he had been in the moft improper Parr, ind therefore propofcd to the worthy Perfons, by whom h« ■Wits. ions td fence; but it may be ons freely to his Kinf- , who was fcnt in the 1 the fame Defign in Dr miffing the Entrance r the Ice into a Bay in Eaft Main, which was ty Weeks in very great I Damage, that for this [I, he thought proper to Its, or at leaft fome of b repeated Difappoint- which was 1615, the 5, and gave the Gom- y experienced Mariner, tions of Hudforif Button his Pilot the famous and one well acquainted le Greenland Fiftiery ; fo tations were entertained I Bylot failed on the 1 8th fight €f Greenland f on made the Refolution on he North Side he found Eaft Moon made High |)m. At Savage -Iflands atives, and traded with 30'. and affirms, the he proceeded thence 3m the Grinding of the id there the Tide came of July he faw I-,and ng fcnt to try the Tide, 1 gave him fome Hopes Cape Comfort, in the ide of 86**. 10'. We/1 le Cape, and proceeded Land tend North Eafl opes ; and therefore he louth- Sound on the 9th It feems from this cm looking farther in 5 moft improper Part, Perfons, by whom he was n difcover a North Weft Paffag?. 23 ■was employed, that they /hould undertake another Expedition thro' Duvis's-Straits. Capt. Robert Bylot, or as Purchas calls him, Bylcth failed in the Dlfcovery, the fame Veflel that had been now employed in five Voyages, having with him William Baffine as his Pilot, from Grave/end, March 26 ; and on the 1 4th of . y fol- lowing, he entered in Davis's-Straits, and being in the La- titude of 70°. 20'. faw a great Number of the Natives who avoided him, and even here he began to doubt of a Pafiage ; and the Reaibns in his own Words were thefe, becaui'e the Tides were fo fmall, notrifing above eight or nine Feet, and kept no certain Courfe ; but the nearcft Time of High Water, on tlie Change Day, was at a Quarter after Nine, and the Flood came in from the South. On the 30th of the fame Month he came to Hope-Sanderfon, in the i^atitude of 72°. 10'. which was the fartheft North that Davis had failed; and Mr. Baffine acknowledges, that from it's Appearance, his Predecefibr might well be excufed for entertaining great Hopes ; the Sea being op^ n, and the Paflage wide, only the Tide held a certam Courll, and rofe but eight or nine Feet, which difcouraged them very much. He continued his Courfe however, and on the firft oi June came to a little Ifland, where he found Capoes and Tents and two or three Women ; this was in the Latitude of 72°. 45'. and he called it JVomens Ifland. As the Ice was very troublefome, he thought fit to put into a Harbour till it fhould be in fome Meafure diffipated ; and this accordingly he did on the 1 2th of June, in the Lati- tude of 73°. 45'. and trading there with the Inhabitants, who reforted to him in confiderable Numbers, for Sea Skins and Unicorns Horns, called this Place Horn-Sound. After flaying there a few Days he put to Sea again, but was very much troubled with the Ice ; he had fight in his Paflage of many Sea Unicorns. On the ift oi July he found himfelf in an open Sea, in the Latitude of 75*** 40^ which again raifed his Hopes. On the 3d doubled a fair Cape, in the Latitude of 76^ 35 . which he called Cape Diggs, after Sir Dudley Diggs, and paffing by a fine Sound, at about twelve Leagues diflance, he called this JVolJlenholme-Sound ; on the 5th he was in another fine Sound, in the Latitude of 77'', 30;. which from the great Number of Whales he faw there, he called IVhale-Sound; from thence he proceeded to Sir Thomas Smith's-Sound, which extends beyond 78*^ and is at the very End of what is called Bajjin's-Bay, which 1 fuppofe begins at Hope-Sanderfon, and extends hither ; All the Places yet named aie on the Eaft Side, or on that Con- G 4 tinent *- i: :■ 5,1 ;4l fir \U' k I i ;i M m\^ 24 The fever al Expeditions to tinent which Frobijher, or rather Queen Elizaheth his Miftrcft, named IMcta hicogn'tta, and which is ir -ality, no other than the Eail Coalt of Croenland. In biurn^s-Sottnd there was great abundance ot Whales, and which is very remarkable, they were the largcft Whales he had feen ; befides which, there was another Circumlhncc with regard to this Bay, wor- thy of Notice, and that was the Variation of the Compafs to 56°. or more than five Points to the Weftward, which Daf- fne affirms to be the greatelt Variation that had been ever ob- ferved. Standing over to the Weft Side, he faw fome Iflands, to which he gave the Name of Gary's -JJJands. The firft fair Sound he met with on that Side, he called Jlderman Joneses- Sound', and continuing his Courfe, he came on the 12th to another great Sound, in the Latitude of 74**. which he called §ir James Lane afier^s -Sound ; and fo keeping along the Weft Side oi Davis's -Straits, till on the 27th of 7«{v he was near Cumberland- IJlands ; here defpairing of any farther Difcovery, and Mr. Hubar', another of his Company, being very fick, he bore away for the Croenland Goaft, and putting into Cockin- Soun:.', in the Latitude of 65^. 45'. his fick People recovered in a Week's Time, by giving them Scurvy-Grafs boiled in their Beer ; there he traded with the Natives, and obferved that they had a wonderful fine Salmon Water here at Seven o'clock at the the Water rofe above eighteen Feet ; on the 30th of Augujl he arrived in Dover Road. On his return from this Voyage, he wrote a long, and a very fenfible Letter to Sir John JVoljlenholnie ; in which nc gives him a plain and fliir Relation of his Voyage, and of the clear Difcove; y he had made ; that nothing was to be ex- pedted, witli regard to a Faflage in Davis's -Straits \ but for Salmon, Morle and W^hale-Fifliing, there could not be a more commodious Place found, which Experience has jufti- iied ; for the Dutch have eftablhhed an annual Whale-Fifliery here, of a very great Value. But it feems the Hearts of thefc Gentlemen were fet upon a Paflage, and if that was not found they minded nothing elfe ; fo that after thefe five Voyages, in all of which Byht was, they gave over their Defign, which lay dormant for about twenty Years after. William Baffine was flill pcrfiiaded that a Paflage there muft be, tho' fully con*, inced that in Davis's -Straits it could not be ; and of this Sentiment he declared himfelf a little before his Death, which happened in the Eaft- Indies, by a Wound he received at the taking of Ormus ; and very defirous he was of making a Tryal to find this PafTage, from that Part of the World, in which mon Fiftighr ; the^igb. Full and Change ; and L^lhi^t ons to ' , lizaheih his Miflrefs, jality, no other than fj^s-Sotmd there was is very remarkable, ben ; befides which, ird to this Bay, wor- n of the Compafs to eftward, which Baf- at had been ever ob- he faw fome Iflands, mds. The firft fair :d Alderman Jones^s- :ame on the 1 2th to '4**. which he called ;ping along the Weft )f July he was near [ly farther Difcovery, ', being very fick, he putting into Cocking ick People recovered jrvy- Grafs boiled in fatives, and obferved I Fiflii|r; the^igh and Change X and ►e 30th of Augujl \ic rote a long, and a olnie ; in which nc Voyage, and of the ing was to be ex^ 's-Straits; but for could not be a xperience hasjufti- lual Whale-Fiftiery the Hearts of thefc that was not found e five Voyages, in leir Defign, which JViUiam Baffine nuft be, tho' fully lot be ; and of this his Death, which he received at the was of making a of the World, in which re dtfcover a North Weft Paflage. \ k, which he hoped to have fucceeded better. It was chiefly from this great Seaman, that Mr. Briggs the Mathematician derived his beft Lights, with refpeft to a North Weft Paflage ; for which he was a great Advocate. It is true he confulted Sir Thomas Button ; but as he tells us himfelf, abating fti'ong Alfurances, fair Words, and fine Promifes, he received little or no Information from him, except with regard to the Tides, and from them alone he concluded the Certainty of a PafTage ; and that the moft probable Means of finding it, was clofely to examine the Coafts about Hudfon's-Bay ; and upon this Subjeft he penned a pretty large Difcourfe ; the Heads of which, and thole very imperfeftly taken, are to be met with in Purchas and in Fox ; but the whole of his Work with his Chart, was never publifhed ; which may be juftly cfteemed a Lofs, and a very great one, both to that Age and to this. We come now to Capt. Luke Fox^ a Man bred from his Youth to the Sea, and who for Twenty-five Years, before he undeitook this Voyage, had meditated fomething of the kind, having then had an Inclination to have gone Mate with Mr. John Knlghty who was famous for his Skill in the Navigation of the North Seas ; but notwithftanding he was then difap- pointed, he remained a careful and diligent Enquirer into things of thi^l^Jature, converfed with Baffine^ Pricket, and others who had been employed on the Difcovery, and collected with great [nduftry all the Journals and Hiftories of fuch Voyages as he could meet with. His Love to this kind of Knowledge, brought him to an Acquaintance with Mr. Henry Briggs beforementioned, who offered him his AlTiftance for procuring one of the King's Ships, in order to make a Voyage in fearch of the North Weft PafTage. Accordingly in 1629 or 1630, with the Advice and AfTiflance of Svc John Brooke , a Petition was prefented to King Charles!, for that Purpofc, which was gracioufly accepted and granted ; but the Seafon of the Year being elapfed, before the Defign could be brought to bear, they were obliged to put it off to the next Year, and in the mean time Mr. Briggs ^\tdi. ••«..,.. ^. \^t,^ In this Space, the Merchants of Brijlol, at the Requeft of Capt James, formed a Scheme of the like Nature, and were defirous to come to an Agreement with the Merchants of Lon- don, who were to be at the Expence of Capt. Foxh Expediti- on, that they fhould have an equal fhare in Honour and Pro- fit, which every Ship proved fo fortunate as to find the PafTIige, and this was readily yielded to by the London Traders. Sir Thomas Roe, a very worthy as well as a very wife Man, and a Perfon of great Publick Spirit, returning at this Time fiom -^3!^^!Sfi£I] ;; ! til )-i'i: f;!! !!• ft 6 ^he feveral Expeditions to from his Embafly in Swederiy Capt. Fox was introduced to him, and honoured with his Proteftlon, as well as that of Sir John Wol/ienholme the elder, who had been for fo many Years a conftant Friend to, and Encouragerof this Difcovery ; and his Son Mr. John tTolJlenholme, afterwards Sir John IVol/lenholme, was appointed Treafurer ; and Capt. Fox having been intro- duced to the King, and having received a Chart, in which all the former Difcoveries were marked, his Majefty's lnftru6ti- ons, and a Letter to the Emperor of Japan, prepared for his Voyage at the Beginning of Alay, 1 63 1 . The Veflel he failed in was a Pinnace of the King's called the Charles, of the Burthen of twenty Tons, with twenty Men and two Boys, vidtualled for eighteen Months, and com- pleatly equipped ' in every Relpeft. On the 8th of May, he failed from Yarmouth-Road ; and on the 1 3th of June, was in Latitude 58**. 30'. On the 2 2d of the fame Month, he entered Hud/on*s-Straits, and after paffingby Cary -Swanks - Neji, the iirft Land he faw was in the Latitude of 64*. i'. the fame that Sir Thomas Button , called Ne Ultra, but to which he gave the Name of Sir Thomas Roe^s -Welcome, which, I think, it has ever fince retained; he fays, it was an Ifland with high broken Land, He had fine clear Weather, an open Sea, free from Ice, no Snow on the Land, but a bold lagged Goaft, like Headlands upon the Ocean, with Tangle and Rock-Weed, and great Plenty of Fifh. The Tide rofe here four Fathom, whereas his Men who tried the Tide at Cary-Siuan^s-Ne/} , found it to rife only fix Feet. Sailing from thence South Weft in the Latitude of 63*. 37'. he faw another Headland to the Southward of him, with fmall Iflands and broken Land upon the Main ; and here alfo he faw many Filh and Seals and one Black Whale ; failing ftill Southward, he came to an Ifland in 63°. to which he gave the Name of Brook-Cobham, in Ho- nour of his Patron Sir John Brooke; and on the 30th of July, he faw another litde Ifland about twelve Leagues from Brook- Cobham, to which he gave the Name of Dun- Fox^s- Ifland ; And here, he fays, the Tide came from the North Eaft, and flowed about twelve Feet Water. In the Latitude of 62*. 5'. he fell in with fome fmall Iflands, to which be gave the Name of Briggs^s Mathematicks: And here obferved, that a North Wind kept up the Tide. He fets it down in his Journal on the 3d of Auguji, that the further he went from Sir Thomas Roe^s-JVelcome, it flowed lefs Water, and the Tide was lefs perceptible, and the fame Obfervation he re- peats more than once. He tried the Tide at Port-Nelfon, and found it flow nine Feet, On the 29th of y^uguj}, he met with Capt. James, went on board hrni, and was well entcr- tained^ •1 i : ■i difcover a North Weft Paffage. ^y tained, but left him on the lafr of that Month; the Refult of his whole Difcovery was, that from the flowing of the Tide and the whales, it was moft likely the PafTage fliould be in Sir Thomas Roe^s-JVelcome or the Ne Ulira, as Sir Thomas Button named it. In the Beginning of O^ober he repafled Hudfon^s -Straits', and on the laft of that Month arrived fafely in the Downs. He publifhed his Voyage on his Return, which he dedicated to the King, and both in the Dedication, and at the Conclu- fion, he lays it down as a thing certain, that the High Tides he met with in the JVelcome, could not pofTibly come through Hudfon^s-Straits, but mull be propagated from a Weftem Ocean, or that which is commonly called the South Sea, and he very clearly and very judicioufly traces thefe two Tides. He (hews, that the Tide coming through Hudfon^s -Straits, flows at the Entrance of them, that is, at Refolution, five Fa- ^oms right up and down • He obferves, that Mr. Hudfon had found the Tides at the Ifle of God's -Mercy to flow fomewhat above four Fathoms, that at Mill- I/land it flows fomewhat lefs than four Fathoms. Again, from Sea-Horfs Point to Ca- ry-Sivan's-Neft it flows but fix Feet. But in the Latitude of 64". 10'. he found the Tide fetting from the North and flow- ing above twenty Feet in the dead Neap ; and coafting along this Wefli-fide, he found it flowing lefs and lefs, till at Port- Nelfon it came to nine Feet j he therefore obferves, that con- fidering the diftance, which is upwards of two hundred and fifty Leagues, and the Tide meeting fo many Rubs and Checks, by the way, amongft Iflands and Shoals, it is inconceivable how fuch a vafl: Quantity of Water fliould be recalled and re- paired every twelve Hours, if it were not fed and (upplied from fome great and vaft Ocean. It might be both inftru61:ive and entertaining, if we fliould infift farther upon this Gentleman's Remarks, deduced not only from his Knowledge, as a Sea- man, but from his own Experience in this Voyage; and com- paring his Obfervations with thofe that had been made by his Predeceflbrs ; but as all this Matter will be more properly con- fidered in the Gonclufion, where we fliall have alfo later Fafts to build upon, it is better to refer it thither and to avoid fatigu- ing the Reader with needlefs Repetitions. Only this it may be proper to remark, that Capt. Fox, not only continued firm in his Opinion, that there was a Paflage, but was very clear glfo, as to the Place in which it was to be looked for, and very pofitive, that it would be found large and open, and in a temperate Climate, which he grounded upon his own Experi- f ncc, that the farther he failed Northward in Hudjhn's-Bay, the m M iU I ' ?8 Itbe feveral Expe(^rtiomto • *■ ihc varmer he found the Weather, and the more free from Ice. Wc have already mentioned Capt. James of BriJIol, who failed in ti.>e fame Month, as well as the fame Year with Capt. Luke Fox, j'nd on the fame Dcdgn. He was certainly a Man of Abilities, and very expert in Calculations, but he does not fcem to have been fo well acquainted with the Voyages that had been made to the North, as he ought to have been, to en- title hun to a Command of this Nature ; for if he had, he would not have advanced many Things that we find in his Account; and more efpecially, in the Clofe of it. He enter- ed Hudfon's-Straits about the middle of June, and found him- felf exceflively embairafled with Ice ; of which he gives very long and difmal Accounts ; that in all Probability are ftriftly true; but this was owing to his fpendingfo much Time in the Bottom of the Bay, where, notwithftanding his Conference with Capt. FoXf he refolved to winter It feems he was very fenfible, that much was expelled from him at his Return; and it is vifible enough, that there was a great Emulation between him and Fox, which might very probably induce him to ftay, in order to pufh his Difcoveries, as far as it was poiTible, in the Spring. . • . However that might be, thu«; much is certain, that the Place he made choice of for that Purpofe was Chariton- IJland, in the Latitude of 52®. and here he was obliged to take Shelter in the Beginning of the 'M.on^oi Odiober, about which Time it began to fiiow and freeze exceflively, yet the Sea was not frozen clofe to the Ifland, until the Middle of December* The Cold was very intenfe, until tne Middle of y^prll, unto thofe who had no Place to refide in, but a Tent covered with the Sails, and fuch Branches of fmall Spruce as that Ifland afforded; and confequently, in fuch a Situation, they endured great Hardi^ips in fo long a Winter, furrounded by a Sea all covered with Ice, for a long time after it was diflblved upon the Lanis a^oining to the Bay. The 29th of Jpril it rained all Day. The 3d oi May, the Snow was melted in many Places of the Ifland. The 13th, the Weather was very warm in the Day-time, but there was fl:ill Froft in the Night. The 24th, the Ice was confumed along the Shore, and crack- ed all over the Bay, and began to float by the Ship. The 30th, the Water was clear of Ice, betwixt the Shore and the Ship, and fome Vetches appeared. The 15th of June, the Sea was ftill frozen over, and the Bay full of Ice. The i6th was very hot witli Thunder. The 1 9th they faw fome open Sea ; and by the 20th all the Ice was di-ove to the Nortliward. This ( I more free from ofBri/fol, who : Year with Gapt. 1 certainly a Man , but he does not he Voyages that have been, to cn- )r if he had, he at wc find in his of it. He enter - , and found him- lich he gives very ability are ftriftly luch Time in the y his Conference ;ems he was very It his Return ; and mulation between duce him to ftay, t was pofTible, in certain, that the J Chariton- IJlandf ed to take Shelter )out which Time the Sea was not of December, of Jpril, unto ent covered with as that Ifland , they endured led by a Sea all s difTolved upon )f Jpril it rained melted in many ather was very ort in the Night. hore, and crack - he Ship. The le Shore and the th of June, the ce. The i6th faw fome open the Nortliward. This le :e )n difcover a North Weft PalTage. 29 This Ifland was a dry Land covered with a white Mofs, and (mall Shrubs and Bufhes, no Trees but Spruce and Juniper, thelongcfta Foot and a half over. The Sea to the North- ward was fullof floating Ice, until the ^^^i of "July. In the long Account which Capt. James has given us of his Winter- ing, there is fuch a Detail of Miferies and Hardfhips, as might have been fufficient to have deterred any from venturing again into this Bay ; and no doubt, it was a princi^-al Rcafon, that all Thoughts of profecuting a Defign of this Nature, were, after the publifliing his Voyage, laid afide for upwards of thir- ty Years. After he left Charlton-IJland, he failed North Wefl:, and examined that Side of the Coaft, as high as Marble •I/land, and then ftood over to the oppofite Main, and failed as high as Nottingham- Ifland-, but the Month of Auguji being now pretty far fpent, and hiinfelf fully perfuaded that no PaflTage was to be found, but to the Northward of 66®. he confented, on the unanimous Defire of his Ship's Company, to bear up the Helm, and to retum home . He had a tolerable Paflage through Hudfon^s- Straits, notwithflanding which it was the 22d of 0£}ober before he reached the Port of Brijiol. He pub- liflied a large Account of his Voyage , in which there are a- bundance of curious Things, that recommended it highly to that great Philofophcr Mr. Boyle ; as on the other Hand, the Ufc that he has made of it, and the Gharafter that he has gi- ven it, has reflefted no fmall Credit on the Work. It may however be doubted, whether the Difficulties Capt. James met with, or the Dangers he run through, did not warp his Judgment, fince from being a warm Advocate for a North Weft Paflage, he came to write as pofitively againft it, and to aflert in plain Terms, that either there was no Pafl!age, or if there was, it muft be fo fituated, as not to be worth finding* The Arguments he offers in Sw pport of his Sentiment, as to there being no Paffage, are three, or as he ftates them four J but the laft feems to be a Dedudion from the reft, ra- ther than any new Reafon ; we will give a fhort Account of them all, becaufe, when confidr^red and compared with what has been difcovered fince, they are perhaps as ftrong Argu- ments for a Paffage, as any that can be offered. Firft, then, he fays, there is a conJiantTide Flood and Ebb fetting into Hud- fon's- Straits, the Flood ftill coming from the Eajiivard, which, as it proceeds correfpondent ,0 the diflance, it alters the Time of full Sea. This alfo entering into Bays and broken Ground, iecitmes d/flurbed. and overfeis with half Tides. The Fafts here m *f '1i \\i li; it^ 30 The feveral Expeditions to here laid down are allowed to be very true, and the inference he draws from them is very juft, but it happens to make no- thing at all for his Purpofe notwithftanding. He never exa- mined the Tide at Sir Thomas Roe* s- Welcome y for if he had, he muft have been convinced, for the very Reafons here laid down, that it did not come from the /Atlantic Ocean, and confequcntly that there muft be a Paflage. Fox, who vifited this Bay the very fame Year, who tried the Tides where Capt. James did, but tried alfo the Tide in the Welcome , con- cluded very juftly, that the latter could not fpring from the fame Ocean with the former, and thus we fee clearly and plainly why thcfe two able Seamen were of directly oppofite Opinions, and yet both of them in the right, fo far as their Experience went ; for it is very certain, that Capt. James (av/ nothing in this refpe£t that could induce him to conclude there was a Paflage; and it is no lefs certain, that Capt. Fox, from the Lights he had, might very fairly infer, there muft be a Pafl^age. The only thing in which Capt. James was blamea- ble was, his aflerting, that no Paflage could be found to the South of 66". notwithftanding that there was a great Part of the Coaft of Hud/on' s- Bay within that Latitude, which he ne- ver examined. But let us now come to his fecond Reafon. Here are, fays he, m fmall F'tjh, fuch as Cod, &c. and very few great ones, nuhich are very rarely fe en ; nor are there any Bones of Whales, Sea-Horfes or other great F'r/f) to be found on the Shore, nor any Drift-Wood. To this the fame Anfwer may be given as to the former ; the Fafts are very true ; and the Conclufionis veryjuft; but then, it is only with regard to that Part of the Bay which he examined ; and if the Conclufi- on be juft, it is a certain Proof, that if he had met with the contrary of all thefe, he would undoubtedly have made a con- trary Conclufion. Capt. Fox, in the Neighbourhood of Sir Thomas Roe* s -Welcome y met both with fmall Fifti and large, of which he gives us a particular Account, and efpecially with regard to Whales; for it feems at Brook-Cobham his Men faw no lefs than forty at one Time. It might indeed have been matter of Difpute in thofe Days when thefe two Journals were publiftied, and very probably it was ; which was moft to be depended upon, in regard to veracity; but there can be none in ours, when from repeated Voyages thefe Parts are well known ; and in confequence thereof, it is a thing out of Queftion, that all Sorts of Fifti, but more efpecially the larger Sorts, fuch as Sea-Unicorns and Whales, are found in great Numbers in thefe Northern Parts; confequcntly Capt. James*?, Reafon, not only ceafes with refpedt to thofe Parts of the Bay where \ .1 difcover a North Weft Paffagc. S« , and the inference ipens to make no- ;. He never exa- im^ , for if he iiad, Reafons here laid lantic Ocean, and FoXy who vifited the Tides where [ tht Welcome f con- )t fpring from the ve fee clearly and f dircdtly oppodte bt, fo far as their atCapt. James (av/ ^ to conclude there itCapt. Fox, from *, there mufl: be a James was blamea- ild be found to the was a great Part of :ude, which he ne- 5 fecond Rcafon . 7 as Codf Sec. and ^een ; nor are there eat F'rJJ) to be found s the lame Anfwer are very true ; and )nly with regard to md if the Conclufi- had met with the have made a con- jhbourhood of Sir all Fifli and large, and efpecially with bham his Men faw indeed have been two Journals werff ch was moft to be there can be none fe Parts are well is a thing out of fpecially the larger are found in great ntlyCapt. James''% Parts of the Bay where where a PafTagc has been lately foudi^ hut the very contrary Rcafon takes place; lincc, if a Paflage was defpaired of from the want of thcfe Signs, it ought furely to be hoped for^ wherever thofc Signs appear. His third Reafon is this. We find the Ice, fays he, tnthe Latitude 65°. 30'. to be lying all over the Sea in Rands ^ and I am moji certain, that the Shoals andjhoal Bays are the Mo- ther of it. Had there been any Ocean beyond, it "would have been broke all to Pieces, for we found it coming through the Straits into the Sea to the Eajhvard. To which he adds, and calls it a fourth Reafon, That the Ice feeks its -way to the Eaft' luard, and fo drives out at Hudfon's- Straits. It is very evi- dent from thence, that in his Judgment, the more Northern Parts of the Bay muft be entirely choaked ahd filled up with Ice ; whereas, it very clearly appears from what Fox fays, that thei c was lefs Ice to the North ; and in the following Sheets it will be flicwn, that there is very little Ice; but on the contrary, the Ice in the Southern Parts of the Bay is broken to Pieces, and driven out by that great body of Water that comes from the North ; and therefore upon his own Princi- ple, this is a dircft and convincing Proof, that there muft be a Communication with another Ocean. As to his additional Argument, which h< particularly men*ions, as depending j« upon his own Obfcrvation, we may adid to it, that a great deal of Ice is carried into Hudfon^s-Bay through the Straits by the Flood, and very naturally comes out again with the Ebb, as well as the reft of the Ice that is bred in the Bay, from the Caufes that himfelf has affigned. On the whole, therefore. Whatever weight Capt. James's Autho- rity might have in former Times, when there might be a Doubt, whether he or Fox fpoke truth, it can have no man- ner of Weight now, when the Fafts, upon which his Rea- fonings are grounded, have been, with refpeft to the Northern Bay totally overthrown by inconteftable Experience. It has been already oberved, that after Fox and James all Thoughts of a North Weft Paftage were laid afide here ; but as at this Time, or foon after, the principal Perfons in our Colony of Neiu England began to undertake Expeditions, for Difcovery and Improvement of their Filhery and Com- merce ; it is not to be wondered, if they in their Turns, con- fidering the great Advantages that might refult from finding a North Weft Paflage, and their own favourable Situation, fliould make an Attempt of that kind. In this one may fafely fay, there is nothing abfurd or unreafonable; and therefore in the Abftra6t we have of AdmiraJ De Fonte's Voyage, what is. 1 »■ i: '■<: ' ■I 5« The feveral Expeditions to is faid of Capt. Shapley*s being taken m a Ship from Bo/iorif carries in it nothing very incredible. Mr. Dobh, in his Re- marks upon that Account, takes notice of the Probability that this Dofton Ship might have paffed through fomc of tl^e Open- ings near Whale-Covey an Inlet va. Hudfoti's-Bay ; and perhaps that ingenious Gentleman would have thought it a kind of Confirmation o( the Guefs he has made, if he had recollected that this Inlet is ntuated precifely in that Latitude, which Capt. Lancafier fet down for the Entrance of the North Weft Paf- fage, as has been before related in Page 1 1, and to the Know- ledge* of which he came in the Eafl- Indies. Bar tho' th'' Angular Concurrence of thefe two Circum- ftances, may very well juftify this Ihort Digreflion, in reference to the Attempts from Ne'u) Englandy which may poifibly procure us fome other Lights upon that Head; yet there is fome- thing iclating to this Subjeft, which may poffibly appear ftill more extraordinary ; in as much as it will fhcw that it is not ac all impoflible, that either to this, or fome othg- Expedi- tion, undertaken from BoPon, the prefent Hudfon's-Bay Com- pany owe that Difcovery which produced their Charter, and put them into PofFeflion of tliofe Places in that Bay, in which they have Settlements at prefent. Mr. Jeremky who was Governor at Port-Nelforty while it was in the Hands of the French f and who, without doubt, had better Opportunities of knowing tlie Matters of which he writes, than moft other People, gives us this Account of the Matter. He fays, that one Mr. de Groifeleiz an Inhabitant of Canada^ a bold and enterprizing Man, snd one who had travelled much in thofe Parts, pufhed his Difcoveries at length fo far, that he reached the Goafts of Hudfon's-Bay from the French Settlements by Land. Upon his Return, he prevailed upon fome of his Countrymen at Quebeck, to fit out a Jark for perfeding this Difcovery by Sea ; which being done, and he landing upon the Coaft, where he apprehended no European had been before, was amazed in tho very Depth of Winter, to hear that fome of his Company had diicovcred an Englijh Settlement as they vere pleafed to call it, near Port N elf on. He went thither wi h a Defign to attack it ; but at his arrival found it a poor miferable Cottage covered with Turf, in which were half a Dozen half ftarved Wretches, without Arms, and without Strength to ufe them if they had had any. Thefe People told him, that they were Part of a Ship's Crew from Bo/ton^ that they were fet on Ihore to look for a Place, where the Ship to which they belonged might Winter; and that the next IMorning the \cc drove the Ship out of the Port, which they never law more. As >hip from Bofton, ^obbs, in his Re- le Probability that mc of the Open- ^ay ; and perhaps ight it a kind of he had recoUefted ude, which Capt. North Weft Paf- and to the Know- lefe two Circum- ^flion, in reference ay poffibly procure •et there is fome- (offibly appear ftill fhcw that it is not me othg: Expedi- 'udfon's-Bay Com- their Charter, and ;hatBay, in which Jeretnk, who was the Hands of the r Opportunities of than moft other atter. Ke fays, of Canada^ a bold elled much in thofe ir, that he reached rench Settlements upon fome of his for perfecting this i he landing upon m had been before, to hear that fome Settlement as they e went thither wi h it a poor miferable half a Dozen half .ithout Strength to Iple told him, that ■oriy that they were hip to which they Morning the Ice never law more. A8 difcover a North Weft Paflag^. ^3 As we have no Date to this Relation, it is impofTibleto fay, whether it was that fhip from Boftotty mentioned in de Fonte^s Account or not ; but if it was, and the Grew perifhed, as very probably they might in this inhofpitable Country; it af- fords a clear and ealy Solution of that, otherwife unan-i fwerable difficulty, as to Capt. Shapleyh making fuch a Voy- age, and fo coniiderable a Difcovery, without its coming to be known, either in Nnu England, or in Old. But if we fhould be wrong in this Conjedture, it would ftill remain an inconteftable Proof, that fome Attempts were made from Bof- ton, when they were laid allde and forgot at London and Brijiol. This Digrcflion has not led us far out of our Way, as will prefently appear. When Mfi de Groifeleli. had fufficiently examined the Country, he left his Nephew Chouatt with five Men at Port- Nelfon River, and with his Brother-in-law Mr. Rattlffon^ and eight more returned to Queheck, where he had fome Diffe- rence with thofe who employed him ; which at length rofe fo high, that thinking himfelf extremely injured, he fent over Mr. Rattjjpm to France, in order to give the Court ah Account of the Services he had done, and the ill Ufage he had met with. But it feems the Complaints he made were as ill heard in France as in Canada ; and the Advantages which he infifted upon might be deduced from this Difcovery, were, from want of being underftood, treated as vifionary and chimerical* Mr. de Groifelelz, not at all difcouraged by the Accounts he received from his Brother-in*law, and at the fame Time de- lirous of making his Fortune, by what he was very fenflblfi dcferved one, embarked himlelf for France, and laid before the Minifters, in the cleareft Manner poflibie, the Confequcn-^ ces of his Difcovery ; and what they were, will be hereaftef feen ; but dio* he was a very capable Man, and no doubt told his Tale well, it however gained no more Credit than Rattiffhn^s Applications had done. It happened that Mr» Montague, afterwards Duke of Montague, and Father of the noble Peril n who bears that Title at prefenr, was then ouf Minifter in France, and hearing fome dark Account of Groife* leizh Propofals, he fent for him to explain them, which he did in fuch a Manner, as entirely fatisfied that judicious and inquifitive Perfon, who immediately fent him and his Brother over to England, with a Recommendation to Prince Ruport, then the great Patron of all Eriterprizes of this Sort, and who was an excellent Judge both of Men and Things « Ok the Arrival of Mr. de Groifelelz in England, and his laying before his Highnefs what he thought it was in his power to do, he D received % fel! <■ H w ill I*' Mr i tv m m 34 ^^^ fever al Expeditions to received all the Encouragement that he could reafonably expeft j and a Refolution was immediately taken, to fit up one of the King's Ships, to carry him to Hudfori's-Bay^ and to make Trial there of his Power, to fulfil the great Things he pro- mifed. It falls out very luckily, that we have an authentick Memorial, written at the very Time, of what was expected from it ; which is contained in a Letter from Mr^ Oldenburghy the firft Secretary to the Royal Society, to the celebrated Mr. Boyky which the Reader will be pleafed to fee in his own \Vords. * Surely I need not tell you from hence what is * laid here with great Joy, of the Difcovery of a North * Weft Paffage, made by two Englijh and one Frenchman * lately reprefented by them to his Majefly at Oxford, and an- < fwered by a Royal Grant of a VefTel to fail into Hudfon\^- ' Bay, and thence into the South-Sea ; thefe Men affirming, * as I heard, that with a Boat they went out of a Lake in * Canada into a River, which difcharged itfeif North Weft * into the South -Sea, into which they went and returned Noith * Eaft into Hudfon^s-Bay.* Upon thefe Hopes Capt. Za- charluh Giilam in the Nonfuch Ketch with the Frenchmen on board were fent upon this Difcovery ; he is faid to have failed to the Height of 7^°. in Baffines-Bay, and to have returned from hence into Hudfon^s-Bay, where he wintered in 1668, getting into Rupert's -River the 29th of September, where he came to an Anchor in two Fathoms and a half Water, the Ri- ver being a Mile bro' .1. The 9th of December they were frozen up in the River, and went upon the Ice to a fmall Ifland full of Poplars ; all the other Trees were Spruce. In April 1 669, the Cold was almoft over, and the Indians came down to them. Tney faw no Grain there but many Goofebenics, Strawberries, and Dewotter Berries. The Indians about that River aie fimpler than thofe of Canada. The Nodways or EJkimaux Indians near Hudfon's -Straits are wild and barba- rous. Here, and at this, Time, the firft Englifh Settlement was made by building a little Stone Fortrefs, to which Capt. Cillam gave the Title of Fort-Charles. Upon this the Under- takers were erected into a Company by a Charter, dated May 2, 1669. 1 N the Preamble of this Charter is recited, that whereas our * dear and intirely beloved Coulin Prince Rupert, 6'c. have at * their own great Goft and Charges undertaken an Expedition * for Hudfon^s-Bay in the North Weft Parts of America for * the Difcovery of a new Paflage into the South-Sea, and * for the finding of fome Trade for Furs, Minerals, and * other conliderabk Commodities j and by fuch their Under- • . ' Wx * taking ^^5 ■ (iifcover a North Weft PafTage.^ ^ ' taking have already made fuch difcovcrles, as do encourage ' them to proceed farther in purfuanee of their faid Delign, ' by means whereof there may probably arife great Advantage ' to us and our Kingdoms/ At the Requeft therefore of thefe Undertakers, and for the better promoting their Endea- vours for the public Good of his People, the King granted them the Trade and Territories in Hudfon'*s-Day, and all o- ther Trade which they fhould acquire exclufively ; and thus, and to thefc Ends, was* the Hudfon's-Bay Company eredt- ed. One would have imagined, that after this confiderable Set- tlement fuitable to the Defign of the Charter fhould have been made, and7i!«/»f r/'s Land, for \^o his Majefty direfts the new Plan* tation to be called, fhould by tliis Time have become none of the leaft confiderable Colonies in America ; at all Events, one would have imagined, that the great and capital Point of difcovering a North Weft PafTage would have been always kept in View, for the Scope of the Charter is plainly to veft this exclufive Trade, and the new difcovered Countries in them, for the public Benefit of the People of thefc King- doms ; but it fo happens, that we have very few Accounts of any Attempts made for Difcovery, either by Land or Sea. There was indeed about 1 7 1 9, that is near thirty Years ago, one Gapt, Barlow fent to look for a PafTage, but what be- came* him, is very uncertain, fince neither he nor any cf hiss People have been heard of flnce, only a Report prevails a- mong the Englijh fettled in the Company's Faftories, that this Ship was loll, and himfe/f and his Crew deflroyed by the Inhabitants of the Country in the Latitude of 63**. and to confirm this, it is alfo faid, that fome Pieces of the Wreck have been fince found in thofe Parts. This may be true, and very probably, the unhappy Fate of this Gentleman, and thole who failed under his Command, may have been urged to difcourage fuch enterprizing Spirits, as were inclinable to undertake thefc hazardous Expeditions, inftead of attending to fafer Employments in the Company's Service. By this Difpofition of Things Hudfon''s-Bay and the Coun- try adjacent belong entirely to a finall Body of Men, and whatever trading Spirit there might be in the Nation, it could not as formerly excite any Attempts for Difcovery, which is the plain Reafon that all Thoughts of a North Weft PafTage lay for fifty Years together buried and undifhubed, notwith- ftanding a Provifion was aftually made, or at leaft mtended to be made, for the conftant Profecution of it, till it fhculd be effefted. We have mentioned Barlow and his unhappy Fate ; D 2 md '^i n'p i^l 36 The fever al Expeditions to and the Perfon next employed was Capt. Scroggs, of whom all that we know is what follows. Neither can we fay where that would have been found, if it had not been publiftied by Mr. Dobbs ; for though the old Expeditions were undertaken at the Expence of Companies, yet, except Sir Thomas But- ton's the Journals of them were generally fpeaking publifh- ed, that Pofterity might know what had been done, and how far the Difcovery was advanced. But of late Years this Me- thod has been difcontinued; and as we before obferved, if Mr. Dobbs had not publiflied an Extract of Scrogg's Expe- dition in his own Defence, the World would have known very little of it, nay perhaps in fifty Years Time no Trace or Me- morial might have been left, diat a ; 7 fuch Voyage had been made. His Account of it then ist. i.. Mr. Scroggs failed from Churchill-River on the 2ld of June 1722. In Latitude 62°. he traded with the Natives for Whale. Fin and Sea-Horfe Teeth. On the 9th of July he was drove in hazy thick Weather to Latitude 64^^. 56'. where he anchored in twelve Fathoms. When it cleared up, he found himfelf within three Leagues of the North Shore. The Headland, which bore Eaft North Eaft from him, he called Whalebone-Point. He faw at the fame Time feveral Iflands bear- ing from South Weftby Weft to South Weft by Soudi, which Variation allowed was from South Weft by South to South South Weft. He faw Land South up to the Weft; the IVel- eome was very high Land, as high as any m Hud/on* s -Straits. The Southermoft Ifland he called Cape Fullerton. Here he faw many black Whales, and fome white. He ient his Boat on Shore; they (aw many Deer, Geefe, Ducks, 6c. He faid it flowed there five Fathoms upon his Lead- Line j he having but feven Fathom at Low- Water, and twelve at High-Water. He had two Northern Indians with him who had wintered at Churchill, and told him of a rich Copper-Mine, fome where in that Country, upon the Shore near the Surface of the Earth ; and they could direft the Sloop fo near it, as to lay her Side to it, and fo be foon loaden with it : They had brought fome Pieces of Copper from it to Churchill, that made it evident there was a Mine thereabouts. They had fketched out the Country •with Charcoal upon a Skin of Parchment, before they left Chur- chill; and fo far as they went, it agreed very well. One of the Indians defired him to leave him, faying, he was within three or four Days Journey of his own Country, but he would not let him go. He faid he was up in the Cod of the Bay, and that there was a Bar there ; but his Men faid he was ten Leagues from what he called a Bar. He failed out South i 1: to croggsy of whom can we fay where been publifhed by \ were undertaken [ Sir Thomas But- fpeaking publifh- 2n done, and how ite \ears this Me- lefore obferved, if af Scrogg's Expe- d have known very e no Trace or Me- i Voyage had been ler on the iiA of nth the Natives for the 9th of July he .atitude 64^. 56'. Vhen it cleared up, ' the North Shore, from him, he called feveral Iflandsbear- ft by South, which by South to South he Weft; the WeU in Hudfon^s -Straits, rton. Here he faw e fent his Boat on icks, 6c. He faid id- Line; he having Ive at High-Water, irho had wintered at line, fome where in face of the Earth ; as to lay her Side ^ had brought fome lade it evident there led out the Country fore they left Chur- ry well. One of ing, he was within Country, but he in the Cod of the ut his Men faid he lar. He failed out South difcover a North Weft PafTige, 37 \ I South Eaft ; and on the 1 5th crofTed the Welcome in Latitude I 64**. 15'. In Latitude 64^. 8'. he faw again many Whales, ! ] but faw no Ice, when he was there. The Land from Whale- bone-Puhtt fell off to the Southward of the Weft, and the Men who went a-fhore faid, they faw nothing to prevent their going farther. They had Soundings there from forty to fe- venty Fathoms. Capt. Norton, late Governor of Churchill, was with him, and confirmed this Account, and that the Tide rofe five Fathoms ; and faid, that he was on Shore on the Top of a Mount; in, and faw the Land fell away to the Southward of the Weft, and nothing to prevent their going further. We are now come very near that Expedition for the Dif- covery of a North Weft PafTage, which, though it failed of Succefs, and proved only the Caufe of much Difjsute, be- tween the Gentlemen by whofe Endeavours it was fet on foot, and the Perfon who tundufted it, yet was produftive in its Confequenccb of ai Aft of Parliament, which will never fail to keep alrv :he Hopes of finding the North Weft PafTage, until it fhall be found. It appears from different PafTages in his Book, that /Arthur Dohbs, Efq ; fiiil applied himfelf to the Hudfon^s-Bay Company ; and upon his Requeft it feems, two VefTels were fent upon the Difcovery ; and thefe it feems, went no higher than the Latitude of 62**. 15', and returned without feeing any thing worthy of notice, except a great many Iflands, abundance of black Whales, but no very great Tides, the higheft about two Fathoms, the flood coming from the Northward. This was fome time in the Year 1 737, when Mr, Dobbs had a clofe Correfpondence with Capt. Mid- dleton, who in feveral Letters, Extracts of which are printed, furnifhed him with a Variety of Fafts, that feem conclufive, with refpeft to a PafTage, fuch as, that of a North and North Weft Wmd made the Neap Tides higher than the Spring Tides, with a Southerly or Wefterly Wind at Churchill or Albany; that there is little or no Tide between Mansfield- IJland and Cary-Siuan's-NeJ} ; that there is abfolutely no Tide to the North and North Eaft of lyiill-IJles ; that confequcntly the high Tide before-mentioned, muft come from the Welcome ; that for this Reafon the Welcome cannot be far from the Ocean ; that what Mr. John Scroggs faw in the Latitude of 64*^. 30'. both with regard to Whales and in refpeft to the Tides con- firmed this; that the Indians who went with Mr. Scroggs owned to him (Capt. MiddletonJ that when they were eight or ten Miles from Whalebone-Point, which bore Eaft North Eaft of them; they faw an open Sea, and the Land trenched 1 \a ! I: D 3 to ■ \ \ m t 1 w 1 i- ■ 4' -1 ill iii^i.i ^m u ^he feveral Expeditions to •i ! ii (■;! to the Southward of the Weft, which they afTerted to Scroggs^s Face, when on board Capt. Middleton'i Ship at Churchill, though while under Scroggs's Command, they difTembled it, and laid what he pleafed to have them. Befides this, Love- grwc, who lived at the Fadtory at Churchill, and had been often at Whale-Crwe in Latitude of 62^. 30^ affirmed all the Coafl: there was broken Land and Illands ; and that going upon one of thcfe Iflands, he faw an open Sea to the Weft- ward. One JVilfon fent by the Company to trade at IVhak- Cove with the Natives for Fins, declared at Churchill, that having had the Curioflty to pafs in through tliofe Iflands near the Whale-Covey he found the Opening enlarge itfelf South Weft ; and at laft it became fo wide, that he could not fee Land on either Side. Thefe Fafts being well known, and all the Informations Mr. Dobbs could obtain concurring with the Sentiment this Gentleman was then in, that there was a great Probability of finding a Paflage in the fVelconie, he with infi- nite Diligence and Application procured Capt. Middleton an Oportunity of fearching for that Paflage in the Furnace Bomb- Ketch; which Service he undertook for the Benefit of the Pub- lic, refifting many Tenptations that were thrown in his way to flight that Defign fo:- the Sake of private Advantage. The beft Account we have of his Endeavours is contained in the following Extraft from feveral Letters, and from his Journal. He could not get out fooner than the i ft of JW/j/ from Churchill River in Latitude 58". 56'. to fearch for the Pafl!age ; on the 3d at five in the Morning, he faw three Iflands in La- titude 61'^. 40'. on the 4th he faw Brook-Cobhajn in Latitude 63*^. Longitude 93^. 40'. Weft from London, the Variation (herewas2i°. 10'. This Ifland had much Snow upon it ; on the 6th in the Morning, he faw a Headland in Latitude 63*. 20'. Longitude 93°. Weft; Soundings from thirty-five to feventy-two Fathoms ; at five the Current fet North North Eaft, two Knots, two Fathoms ; the Tide flowed from North Eaft by North, Variation 30**. Weft; all by North Moon made High- Water; the 8th he was in Latitude 639. 39'. faw no Whales or other Fifl? yet, except one white Whale as big as a Grampus, and fome Seals ; much Ice North of them (clofe in Shore for feveral Leagues 5 Depth fixty to ninety Fa- thoms ; Land feven or eight Leagues North Weft ; i oth in Latitude 64°. 51'. Longitude 88®. 34'. the IVelcome here jsleven or twelve Leagues wide ; the Eaft Coaft a low flat Coaft ; the whole IVelcome full of Ice ; they filled freih Water off the Ice ; dofed in the Ice until the 1 2th j the 1 3th l^^y S9t through the Ice 10 Northwards of Caj)e Dobbs, a to erted to Scroggs^s ►hip at Churchill, :hcy difTembled it, ^fides tliis, Love- 'II, and had been /. affirmed all the i ; and that going Sea to the Weft- :o trade at IVhale- at Churchill, that I tliofe Iflands near nlargc itfelf South [ he could not fee /ell known, and all :oncurring with the it there was a great ome, he with infi- Hapt. Middleton an the Furnace Bomb- Benefit of the Pub- thrown in his way Advantage. The is contained in the d from his Journal. I ft of July from. ch for the Paflage ; iree Iflands in La- Cobhmn in Latitude don, the Variation jch Snow upon it ; adland in Latitude gs from thirty-five nt fet North North lowed from North 1 by North Moon tude 63^. 39'. faw white Whale as big ce North of them fixty to ninety Fa- th Weft; loth in the IVelcome here Goaft a low flat they filled frefli le 1 2th ; the 1 3 th of Cape Dobhs, a 10 ■ difcover a North Weft Paflage. ^. new difcovered Headland on the North Weft Side of the I'/el- cojne in Latitude 65'', 12, Longitude H6». 6'. Weft, law a fair Opening North Weft of it ; failed into this Opening or River to fecure the Ships from the Ice, until itdifpcrfcJ in the IVelcome. The Entrance of this River fix or eight Miles wide for four or five Miles. Four Leagues higher, it was four to five Leagues wide ; he anchored on the North Side above fome Iflands in ihirty-four Fathoms ; the Tide in the Narrow flowed five Miles an Hour, not fo ftri^t further up ; much Ice came down with the Ebb ; the Soundings as they went up were four- teen to forty-four Fathoms in the middle of the Channel ; next Morning feveral of the E/kiynaux Indians came on board, who had nothing to exchange but their old Clothes and twenty Gallons of Train Oyl ; he gave them feveral Toys j he went higher about four Miles above fome Iflands, and anchored in a Sound betwixt them and the North Shore in an Eddy Tide to be out of the way of the driving Ice, which went in and out with the Tide, and anchored in fixteen Fathoms ; this he called Sav age 'Sound ; the River above and below full of Ice; the 15th he lent up the Lieutenant with nine Men well armed with Provifions for forty-eight Hours in the eight-oared Boat to try the River ; who returned on the 1 7th ; he had been up as far as the Ice would permit it, being faft above, from Side to Side, he found the Depth above from feventy to eighty Fathoms. The 1 6th the Captain went afliore on fome Iflands, and found them bare, except fome fliort Grafs and Mofs in the Valleys, and a little Sorrel and Scurvy-Grafs above High - Water Mark. They fet the fifliing Nets, but got no Fifli ; many of his Men relapfed in the Scurvy, above half not fer- viceable. The Tide at the Mouth of the River on change Days flows four Hours, and rifes from ten to fifteen Feet, Variation 35^- Weft; where the Lieutenant was, it flowed from the Southward, and rofe thirteen Feet at Neap I'idc. The Northern Indians he took from Churchill, knew nothing of the Country; 18th got the Ships into a fafe Cove, and moored in nine Fathom.s and a half: The Captain went up the River in the Morning with eight Men and the two Indians, and by eight at Night was got up fifteen Miles : He i'aw the Tide flowed tw Ive Feet, and a Weft Moon made High- Water ; the Tide flowed from South South Eaft ; the Indians killed a Deer ; they heard an uncommon crying in the Night, generally made by Savages, when they fee Strangers j 19th by two in the Morning went five Miles higher, and got into 'a fmall River or Sound fix or fevcn Miles wide, but how far D 4 it; ■ ■ ■}^4 ■■' ■?■■■' 1 :H7 '^ ifii 1 ■i"^, iir 40 The fever al Expeditions to it went up, they knew not ; the main River was there fix or fevcn Leagues wide, but fo full of Ice they could not go much farther ; the Lands on both Sides very high ; he went upon one of the highelt Mountains twenty-four Miles above Savage-, Cave where the Ships lay, from whence he could fee where; the Ships lay, and above eight or ten I^eagues higher up than the Place he was at ; he obiervcd the River run North by Weft by the Gompafs, which Variation allowed was to Weftward of North Weft, but it grew narrower in its Courle upwards, and was full of Ice ; the 2pth at eight in the Evening he rci turned on boavd with fix Deer, which the Indians had ftiot whiUl he was on Shore : He called that Place Deer-Sound j the Land is very mountainous and barren, with Rocks of the marble kind ; in the Vales are a great many Lakes, with fome Grafs, and Numbers of large Deer, as big as a Cnall Horfe, twelve or thirteen Hands high ; upon Iflands not half a Mile in Circuit, they generally faw a fmall Herd, The 2ift he fell down the River, which was ftiU full of Ice ; within four Miles of the Entrance he got upon 9 high Hill, and faw the Welcome ftill full of Ice from Side to Side, ■2 2d the Ice very thick Li the River above and below, and more drives in every Tide if the Wind comes from the Wel- (Tome: He fent his Lieutenant with the fix-oared Boat up the River. 24th more Ice in the River than ever ; no fending a Boat downwards. 25th Lieutenant returned, after having ^een forty-eight Hours founding among the Iflands near Deer-, Sound he found the River full of Ice ; he brought three Deer with him. 26th fent the Lieutenant and Mafter down to fee if the Ice was clearer below and in the IVelco?ne ; Savage-Sound is in Longitude 39*. 28'. Weft:, Variation 35^. Weft; the Entrance of Wager River is in Latitude 6^°. 23'. Deer-Sound 65*^. 50'. the Courfe from Savage-Bay is North Weft by Compafs, which Variation allowed is Weft by North. 27th Lieutenant returned, having been carried out by the Ice and Tides fix or feven Leagues, and found the River below quite choaked up with Ice, but thinner when they got into the Wel- come. 28th at one in the Afternoon, the Lieutenant and Mafter went up the River to tiy if they could find out any other Way into the Welcome befides that they came in at, on Ac- count they had feen many black Whales and other Fifti the Time they were up laft, and none were feen where the Ships xay nor any where below; he was likewifc ordered to try Deer-Sound and evei-y Opening to find whether the Tide came in any other Way than the Way they came in at ; this he had Time to do, until the ice cleared in the Mouth of the River and i m ' /as there fix or Lild not go much he went upon s above Savage -i ould fee where s higher up than I North by Weft as to Weftward luurle upwards. Evening he re-» Indians had (hot ice Deer -Sound \ :h Rocks of the takes, with fome a fiiiall Horfe, not half a Mile was ftill full of got upon a high nn Side to Side, and below, and s from the Wei- ired Boat up the r ; no fending a i, after having ands near Deer-^ ight three Deer er down to fee if ; Savage-Sound }5<'. Weft; the ^3'. Deef- Sound ^orth Weft by I North. 27th by the Ice and k^er below quite 3t into the Wel- Lieutenant and id out any other in at, on Ac- other Fifh the vhere the Ships ordered to try • the Tide came It ; this he had h of the River and % i I I I difcover a North Weft Paflage. 4 1 and JVelcome. 29th he fent the Boat with eight fick Men and feveral that were lame with the Scurvy, to an Illand about five Miles off, it having plenty of Sorrel and Scurvy-Grafs upon it, and left with them I'enting and other Neceflaries ; the I'ide flowed twelve Fathom lix Inches , the Captain went up one of the higheft Hills, and found the River full of Ice below, but fomething thinner above. 30th he perceived the Ice was all faft below them, and for eight or ten Miles above them without the Iflands ; but pr'^tty clear without the Cove, 31ft abundance of Ice drove in from the Welcome and almoft filled the Bay without them. The ift of Auguji the Lieutenant and Mafter came on board, havmg been four Days out, who faid, they had been ten or twelve Leagues above Deer-Sound ; they faw a great many black Whales of the Whalebone kind ; they tried every Opening they faw, and conftantly found the Tide of Flood came from the Eaftward, or in at the Mouth of the River Wa^ ger. 2d they unmoored and warped out into Savage-Sound, and on the 4th by ten at Night got out of the River, the Ebb carrying them out at the rate of five Miles in an Hour, being clear of the Ice until they got out ; it being almoft calm put the Pinnace a-head, and towed and rowed with the Ship's Oars. They were then in 6^^. 38'. and Long. 87°. 7'. Weft, Va- riation 38'. Here they entered a new Strait North Weft of Wager River, thirteen Leagues wide ; the Entrance of Wager River is in Latitude 65*'. 24'. Long. 88*. 37'. the 5th diey were in Latitude 66*». 14', Long. 86°. 28'. Weft ; the Strait there was about eight or nine Leagues wide. 17th failing pmong Ice, the South Eaft Coaft was low and ftiingly feven Leagues long; at the North Eaft End of the Beach was a mountainous ragged Land like Part of Hudfon*s-Sirait ; good Sounding here from twenty-five to forty-four Fathoms, Va- riation 40^. Weft, the Tide comes from Eaft by North by the Gompafs ; the Tide runs very ftrong here with Eddies &nd Whirlings, 6th tried the Tide, and found it came from the Eaft by South, the Point of the Beach at two was diftant four or five Miles ; at half an Hour paft two, fent the Lieu- tenant aftiore with the fix- oared Boat to try the Tide, and found it had ebbed two Feet ; and the Flood came from the Eaftward at three, made a Signal for the Boat to come on board ; at four faw a fair Cape or Headland on the Weft or North Shore, bearing from him South Weft half South fix or feven Leagues, the Land trenched away from Eaft by North to North by Weft, making right Points of the Compafs ; fhis gave them Joy, believing it the North Point of America, and 1.; ?v, m ! m If t^ », 42 • ^he feveral Expeditions to and therefore he called it Cape Hope; they worked it through much draggling Ice all Night; in the Morning when the Sun cleared away the Haze they faw Land all round quite from the low Beach to the Wef^v .A of the North, meeting the Weft Shore and made a deep i. , but to make fure they kept their Gourfe to the Cod of « until two j next Afternoon when every one faw plainly it was a Bay, and they could not go above fix or eight Miles farther, fo trying the Tide feveral Times, and finding it always flack Water, they found they had overfliot the Opening where the Tide came in at from the Eaftward, the Variation here was 50°. This Bay at the bottom was lix or feven Leagues from Side to Side ; very high Land from thence to the frozen Strait Eaftward of them; Soundings from fifty to one hundred and five Fathoms ; they failed Edward out of the Bay ; much Ice to the Eaftward. The 8th, at ten in the Mornmg, the Captain went on Shore with the Boat, taking the Gunner, Carpenter, and his Clerk with him, to try if he could find from whence the Flood came in to this Strait or Bay. At Noon Cape Hope bore North half Eaft five or fix Leagues, the Bay Weft South Weft four Leagues ; the Entrance of the frozen Strait amongft the Iflands on the Eaft-fide bore Eaft two Leagues, at four the middle of the frozen Strait bore Eaft South Eaft three Leagues j at half an Hour paft nine at Night he returned on board ; he had travelled about fifteen Miles to the higheft Mountain that overlooked the Strait and Eaft Bay on the other Side, and faw the PaflTage the Flood came in at ; the narroweft Part of this Strait is four or five Leagues, and five, fix, or feven in the broadeft, almoft full of large and fmall Iflands, and in length about fixtcen or eighteen Leagues ; it ftretches South Eaft round to the South, and to the Weft ward it was full of Ice not broke up, all faft to both Shoals and Iflands therein; he faw very high Land about fifteen or twenty Leagues Southward of the Place he was at, which he took to run towards Cape Comfort and the Bay, betwixt that and IVilf forCs- Portland y being Part of Hudfonh North Bay ; the Ice being not yet broke up it was refolved in Council to try the other Side of the Welcome y from Cape Dobbs to Drook-Cobham, tolaiow if there was any Opening there, and then return to England. The 9th at two in the Morning they bore away ; at three founded thirty-five Fathoms within a Mile of the Beach, fix Leagues to Cape Hope, and three to the Beach Point ; they failed along the South Eaft Shore at three Leagues diftance, there being much Ice to Weft w^rd almoft one thii'd over 5 at , fow I kcd it through when the Sun nd quite from , meeting the lure they kept :xt Afternoon they could not e Tide fcveral ey found they le in at from lis Bay at the to Side; very ward of them; fathoms ; they the Eaftward. ptain went on (enter, and his [n whence the )on Cape Hope iay Weft South 1 Strait amongft sagues, at four puth Eaft three lie returned on to the higheft ly on the other the narroweft five, fix, or fmall Iflands, it ftretchcs cftward it was als and Iflands en or twenty lich he took to that and IViU Bay ; the Ice cil to try the Broak-Cobhanij len return to way ; at three le Beach, fix Point; they gues diltance, hii'd over; ^t zs h difcover a North Weft Paffage. 4^ four in the Afternoon Cape Dohbs bore North Weft, three fourths Weft by Compafs, fix Leagues, at ten founded fifty Fathoms; at twelve, fixty to fixty-five. The loth at four in the Morning forty-three to twenty-five Fathoms five Leagues from the Weft Land ; at eight fixty-fix to fevcnty Fathoms; then in Latitude 64*. 10'. Longitude SS^'. 56'. Weft ; the JVelcome here fixteen or eighteen Leagues wide ; the extreme Part of the South Eaft Shore ftill in Sight bore from South to South Eaft by Eaft diftant fix or feven Leagues. The nth at four in the Morning forty-five to thirty-five Fathoms, the North Shore from North Eaft to North North Weft four or five Leagues diftant, then about Latitude 64°. and Longitude 90*^. 53'. neai- the Headland ; they kept as near as they could to the Shore to fee if there was any Open- ing into the Land; twenty-five to thirty- five Fathoms ; conti- nued foiling in Sight of the North Shore from Cupe Hope ; at four in the Afternoon hauled off from the Shore to deepen the Water; at fix thirty-four to twenty-eight Fathoms; at eight thirty to forty, then lay by until Day-light ; Soundings all Night from forty -four to fixty Fathoms. At four on the 1 2th made fail ; at fix ftood in with the Head-land nine or ten Leagues to the Eaftward of Brook- Cobham ; it bore then from them North Weft by North, five or fix Leagues ; founded fixty to forty-nine Fathoms ; at ten forty- nine to nine Fathoms ftanding into the Head-land ; at twelve hauled off to deepen the Water, they were then in Latitude 63'^. 14'. and Longi- tude 92®. 25'. Weft. He fays he found in coafting along the Shore of the Welcome from the frozen Strait to this Place, that it was a main Land, tho' there are feveral fmall Iflands and deep Bays; this Headland, and the other, in Latitude 64° . make a deep Bay ; in their Pafl^age out, they did not fee the Bottom of it, as they did upon their Reiurn ; and by keeping clofe along Shore they faw many large black Whales, of die right Whalebone kind. They had from twenty to forty Fathoms off Brook-Cobhatn, which at four in the Afternoon was Weft North Weft four Leagues diftant. The 13th he fent a-ftiore to fee if he could water the Ships ; the two Northern Indiam went a-ftiore in the Boat ; the Ifland is three Leagues from the Main, (cmcyi Leagues long and three broad, all of hard white Stone like Marble. The i4tli the Lieutenant returned with the Boat, and brought a Deer the Indians had ftiot, and a white Bear ; they faw feveral Swans and Ducks. The 15th fent the Boat for more Water, with the two Northern Indians ^ who were dc- firous of being left near their own Country; he gave them a finall ■■'^a 44 ^^f fsveral Expeditions to fmall Boat, of which he taught them the XJk, and loaded it with Powder, Shot, Provilions, Hatchets, Tobacco, and Toys o( every khid he had on board In the Afternoon the Boat returned on board, and brought an Account, that by Marks left on the fhore, the Tide flows fometimes there twenty-two Feet; they left the two Indians afhore, who de- figned to go to the main Land the firit Opportunity ; the o- ther Indian being delirous of feeing England^ he brought along with him, and the fume Day bore away for England. As the difpute which this Expedition occafioned, is menti- oned more than once in the following Pages, and fome of the principal Points therein ftated and difcuffed, it is not all ne- cefTary, that we fhould trouble the Reader with them here. It may be fufficientto obferve, that this Voyage did not an- fwer its Intentions, as it left the Controverfy juft where it was ; for as on the one hand no Paffage was difcovcred, fo the high Tide in the JVelcome was on the other no way ac- counted for, fince unknown Paflliges and frozen Straits were Things not to be admitted ; or if they were, would remove the Difficulty but for a Moment ; fince we mud next enquire whence the Tide came that rolled through thefe Paflages ; and as this Enquiiy would bring us to a Caufe demonftiabiy inca- pable of producing fuch an Effeft, it is only carrying us into a new Walk in the fame Labyrinth, inflead of leading us out. In order to this, another Expedition was neceflliry ; and ano- ther Expedition was undertaken ; of this we (hall prefently give an Account. In the mean time, it may not be amifs to conclude this Part with a few Oblervations upon what has been delivered in it. It is very evident from the Face of this Hiftory, that for upwards of two Centuries and a half, an Opinion has prevail- ed amongft the mofl: knowing and experienced Perfons, that there is a PafTage to the North Weft ; and this built partly upon Science, partly upon Tradition. By Science, I mean Reafon and Experience ; and by Tradition, fuch Accounts of this Paflage as have been received upon uncertain Grounds ; for if they had been certain, it would have been Hiftory. Now it is very hard to conceive how fuch an Opinion Ihould maintain its Credit if it was not founded in Reality ; for it is an old and a true Maxim, that fpecious Opinions endure but a ihort Time, whereas Truth is everlafting. In the next Place, it is evident, that Frobijhery Davis, Hudfony Button, and Baffine remained fully perfuaded, notwithftanding their Dif- appointments, that fuch a Paflage there was ; and we cannot without majnifeft Injury to theit Memories difpute that they were 'i difiover a North Weft Paffage. 45 •were as competent Judges as any. It muft however be allow- ed, that there have btcn fome very wile Men that have dlifcr- ed from them in Opinion; lUch for Kxample, as Sir lyilliam Monfon^ Capt. Jumts and Capt. AUddltton ; but as they have all given the World their Reafons for this, fo it is a thing in- dilputable, that their Reafons have not proved fatisfaikory to Men of equal Judgments; and the plain Caufe of this is, that moftofthc Fa6ts from which tliey rcafoned have been found upon Enquiry to be cither uncertain or falfe ; fo that how juft- ly foever they might argue from them, their Arguments can- not be allowed to be of much Weight. Laftly, we fee from this hiftorical Account, that no Paflage is to be hoped for in Davis^s-Straits ; and the Reafons that fhew this, fliew at the fame Time that a Palfage may be hoped for on the Weft Side of Hudfon's Bay ; and therefore there, and there only, it is to be (ought, and that too within a Space fo confined, that perllfling for a very few Years to examine the feveral In- lets within that Space, the Secret muft be difclofed. It may very pofTibly be objefted, that fome of thefe Inlets which wer€ moft promiilng have been accordingly examined, and have proved either Rivers or Bays , and if thole that in the Judgment of the Friends to this undertaking promifed beft, have upon Search failed their Expedition, why ftiould they perfift in their Notions and obftinatcly demand fuch an Exa- mination of the reft? It is faid, this Obje6Hon may be made ; it might have been faid, it has been made, and infifted upon as a thing decifive, which ought to fatisfy difinterefted and candid Judges. But in anfwer to this, there are three Things to be confi- dered ; firftj that the Friends to this Undertaking are in that refpeft fu to the Nation. What they demand is for the Be- nefit of the Public, which it has been before moft clearly fliewn will be a much greater Gainer by the Difcovery than they can hope to be from any Encouragements given, or Re- wards which they may juftlyexpeft. In this light tlierefore, it is not their Caufe, but that of the Nation ; and whoever doubted that public Utility ftiould take place of private In- tereft ? SECO ND L r, if there is any Body of People that diflike thefe Searches, it muft be for one of thefe two Reafons; ei- ther that they arc convinced there is no fuch PafTage, and therefore judge it unrcafonablc, becaufe to no Purpofe; or they know there is fuch a Paflage, and are determined to hide it. The latter without doubt is no Reafon at all ; and the for- mer is no better a Reafon, unlefs we are inclined to take their Word for it, which is what they have no Caufe to expeft ; I and )'' I » 1 liJ i ill' )'' m 'il fry \6 The fever al Expeditions, ^cl and the lefs, becaufe it is in their own Power to put this Mat-' ter abfolutely out of Difpute in one Summer by making Dif- coveries over Land • and if they will not do this to ferve the Publick, why fhould they think it reafonable to reftrain thofe that have at leaft a good Will to ferve it another Way? Be- fides, their oppofing ihis is actually an Injury to themfelves; for while thefe Inlets are unfearched, the Pretence of a Difco- very will for ever hang over their Heads ; whereas, if once fearched, and no Paflage found, the Gontroverfy will be at an Enil, not for the prefent only, but for ever, at leaft with re- fycOi to this Point. For whether a Trade granted, and Coun- tries beftowed upori an incorporated Body in truft for the find- ing a North Weft Paflage for the common Benefit of the Sub- jedls of this Nation, ought in Juftice to remain to that Body, after it ftiould appear that no fuch Paflage could be found, is another Point? which, how much foever it may concern them, relates not to our prefent Subjeft ; and therefore, here we fliall leave it with this fingle Remark, that whoever con- fiders what has been faid attentively, will be able to refolve himfelfa Queftion, which has not been anfwered yet; and that is, how it can be the Intereft of any Set of Men, that this Point ftiould remain for ever in fufpence, and the World hindered from clearing up the Doubt, whether there is, or is not a North Weft Paflage ? L AST LTy though thefe Inlets have been fearched with- out finding a Paflage, yet this increafes the Probability that there is a PaflTage, becaufe it plainly heightens the Impoflibili- ty of finding a. Body of Water capable ofraifing the Tide fo high in thefe Rivers and Bays without fuppofing a Communi- cation with another Ocean, and therefore thefe Difappoint- ments ought to be fo far from difluading from all future At- tempts, that they ought to encourage us not to defift from thJis Defign, till, in Confequence of fucceflive and well conducted Enquiries this North Weft PaflTage is found. THE ! ;,." r (47 ) W' THE SECOND PART CONTAINING, « A deaf and circumjlantial Account of the Laft Expe- dition, by the Dobbs-Gallev, and the C a- LiFORNiA, in 1746, and 1747. TH E great Expeftation ra'ifed in the World, by the laft Expedition, for the Difcovery oi a. Northwest Palfage ; the Confequence of the Thing in itfelf, ta the Welfare and Glory of this N-.ion ; and the Zeal exprefled, for the Profecution of the fame Scheme, notwithftanding this Expedition failed of Succefs ; afford Reafons fuificicnt to ex- peft, that many will be defirous of feeing a fair and full Rela- tion of all that therein happened. Some perhaps may be moved by their Attention to the Publick Service, and the Gon- fideration of thofe Advantages, that are veiy rationally ex- pefted from this Difcoveiy ; others from Reafons of a more private Nature ; fuch as the Knowledge they may have of the Undertakers and Proprietors, or thofe employed by them, in the Conduft of this Expedition ; but perhaps, the greater Part, from that natural and laudable Curiofity which engages every fenfible Man, to feek the beft Information he can, in Reference to thofe Things, of which he holds it neccffary, to enquire at all. To gratify their Expe£htions, to do Juftice to all concerned, and, as far as in my Power lies, to fet this Mat- ter in it's true Light, I have commenced Juthor; with a fincere Defign, to relate nothing but what I know, and, as far as I can, exa£Uy as I know, without Favour or AfFcflion, Prejudice or Prepofleffion, and without any other View, than th t of contributing, by this Public Inforynation, to the Public But ■iif^ fl .^w*,wi«rt Paffage, The Ships bought by the Committee ^ were ohe oiCtizHun- dt-ed and Eighty T(ms Burthen, called the Do b b s -G a l l e y ; and the other oiOne Hundred and Forty Tons, which was called^ the California. Each of thefe Veflels was perfectly well repaired and ftrengthened, and in all Refpefts fitted as well as could be defired> for the Voyage on which it was intended they fhould proceed* They had alfo afufficient Quantity of Pro- vifions> military and naval Stores > with fuch Goods as were fit for Prefents, to the Inhabitants of the Couniries that might be difcovered, put on board them in fuffiripn*: Quantity) and as good in their relpedive Kinds, as i«: was poflible to procuie* The Diligence ufed in equipping thefe Veflels was fuch, that the Care of the Committee outfbipt the coming in of the Siib- fcriptionSf fb that they fell fomewhat fhort of the necefTary Supply ; which was fo far from either difcouraguig or abating their Endeavours> that, on the contrary, the Gentlemen com- pofing that Committee, came to a full Refolution of not letting the Seafon pafs, and therefore made up out of their own Pock-* ets the Deficiency of the Subfcription, towards defraying tho Expence for the Outfet of this Voyage. When Things were in this Forwardnefs, it became ab* folutely necefTary to think of fixing the Command; and ac-' cordingly that of the Dobbs -Galley was giveh to Mr. William Moor; and that of the California to Mr. Francis Smith. Ap- plication Was likewife made to the Lords of the Admiralty, irt Favour of the Officers and Seamen, which fhould engage in this Expedition ; and as that Board had always fhewn a parti-^ cular Attention to, and given the utmofl Encouragement for the Profecution of this Defign> when formerly applied to ; fb upon this Occafion^ their Lordfhips granted Protedions to all that fhould embark on board thefe Ships for three Years. That no poffible Encouragement might be wanting to keep up the Spirits of the People, under the many Difficulties to which, from the very Nature of the Undertaking) they inuft irtevita' bly be expofcd, or Means left untried to quicken the Endea* vours, for the Difcovery of a PaJJage; belidcs the extraordi- nary Wages that were given, Premiums were fettled In Caf** of Succefs, . proportionable to the Rank of all the Perfons on board. Thus Uie Captain was to have Five Hundred Pounds \ !|l! 50 The Laft Expedition in each of the Mates Two Hundred Pounds ; and every other Offi- cer and Seaman, a Reward fuitable to his Station. Over and above all this, in Cafe they were fo fortunate as to talie any Prizes y they were to be entirely their own ; fo that it is not cafy to conceive, how greater Encouragements could be giv- en, or better Methods contrived than thefe, for fecuring the Profperity of the Voyage. It has been already obferved, that the Gentlemen of the North JVeJl Committee took a very prudent as well as generous Method to avoid lofing the Seafon ; and that this might have it's full EfFeft, they were fo afliduous about the Undertaking, that by the Beginning of May, every thing \yas in perfeft Or- der, and the Ships ready to depart; and on the tenth of the fame Month, they fell down the River to Grave/end, where the Captains were to receive their Inftruftions, and where thefe Veffels were aftually lying when the firft News of this -Expe- dition, and the Preparations made for executing it, came to my Knowledge. It may be eafily conceived, that tho' I heard all this with tne utmoft Satisfaftion in one Refpeft, yet it gave me the moft fenfible Regret in another ; from which, howe- ver, I was foon relieved, by an unexpefted Propofal, not on- ly of going the Voyage, but of havin^g a Commaad. The former I willingly accepted ; for the Novelty, the Profit, and above all the Honour attending this Expedition, filled me with the moft eager Defire of having a Share in it ; but the latter, tho' accuftomed to a Sea-faring Life, I abfolutelyrcfufed ; as not having the Vanity to fuppofe myfelf, who, as yet, was without Experience of Northern Seas and Northern Climates, equal to fo great a Truft. Ii was then agreed that I Ihould go the Voyage, in quality of j4gent for the Committee , without being obliged to any Du- ty, or fubje6\; to any Command, but what was impofed upon me by their Inj}ru6iions ; the principal Articles of which were, that I ihould make exaft Draughts of all the new-difcovered Countries, the Bearings and Diitances of Head- Lands ; that I fhould mark the Soundings, Rocks, and ShoaU upon the Coafts ; aiEft in that material Bufinefs of determining the fe- veral Circumftances attending Tides, fuch as their Time, Height, Force, Direction, ha' "'ed, take Poflefl'on of the Lands in the Name of h; Vlajel 7 of Great -Britain, as firft Pofleflbr, crcfting a Monumeni * f Wood or Stone, with an Infcription upon it, giving a Name to each Harbour, R^ver, Head-land, or Ifland, you come to. ' But if you flmuld meet with any civilized fixed Inha- bitants, avoid giving them Umbrage by taking Pofle/fion, unlefs, upon your Return, they fhould give you a PofFcflion of Lancfs by Confent, to induce you to fix a future Trade there, lake none of the Natives on board by Force, to bring home ; but if they (hould offer themfelves voluntarily, in Exchange for any who may be fent from hence to be left in the Country, to become Interpreters hereafter, and to preferve their Friendfhip, don't refufe to hrbg them to En- gland> In cafe of your leaving any in the Country, they muft be allowed fuch Trifles as may ingratiate them to the Natives ; and fuch Seeds or Roots of Grain, Pulfe, Gar- den-ftuff, or Trees, as are not to be found in thofe Parts 5 allowing them alfo Paper, Pens, and Ink, to make Obfer-. vatioiison the Climate, Trade, 6c. of the Country* * After pafling thro' the broken Lands, if black Whales are ftill feen, and in Augujl, or September y are dire^ing their Courfe South -weftcrly, that would be a farther De- monltration of a navigable Paffage to the Weftem Ocean, < to which they are then dire6lmg their Courfe. * In cafe you proceed fuccefsfully Southward, from 60**. towards 50* and touch at any Port or River, where there are civilized Inhabitants, who refide in Towns and Villages, and do not lead an erratic Life, you muft aft with great Caution and Prudence, giving no Caufe of Offence ; and if they ap- pear friendly, and defire Friendihip, cultivate it by Pre- * fents. the Dobbs and California. 55 n is neccflkry )0 North Weft •, and find the EJkimaux, \ their Friend- c not any ca- rbour by bad lat in your re- and trade with ■n, and enter ith them; but /^eather permit lall ftop at, if the Name of or, ercfting a fcription upon Head -land, or :d fixed Inha- ing Pofleflion, ou a Pofreflion 1 future Trade by Force, to ^es voluntarily, ence to be left eafter, and to ig them to iTw- Gountry, they e them to the 1, Pulfe, Gar- 11 thofe Parts J ) make Obfer-. ountry* black Whales are direfting a farther De- eftem Ocean, rd, from 6o**. v'herc there are Villages, and great Caution nd if they ap- tc it by Pre- * fentS;i fents, without putting yourfelves in their Power; but if they appear in an hoftile Manner, don't attempt to land, but avoid the Coaft, yet without (hewing any iign of Fear; and in cale they fhould ofter to attack you, endeavour firft to terrify them with your great Guns, before you attempt to kill any, which you muft only do in cafe you arc forced to it in your own Defence, and then avoid the Coaft, until you get farther to the South wnd, among more friendly Indians, * In cafe you fhould come to numerous Nations, ufcd to trade in Ships of Burthen, or Force, and that they in- cline to be Enemies, avoid the Coaft, in cafe you have an open Sea ; but if you fhould be engaged among Iflands in which you might find Difficulty to avoid them, or to pro- ceed fo far as to perfefl: the Difcovcry, then, if it be not too late in the Seafon, return with fuch account, which will be fufficient to prove that you traded in anothc»- Ocean different from ours ; left by wintering among them, .ny Oc- cident fhould happen to prevent your Return. * But in cafe you fhould have proceeded SouLwatd Co far as to Winter in a warm Country, then find out fome Ifland, not frequented by the Natives of the Cc tinent, to winter in, andfecure your Ships; which if if be a woody fertile Ifland in Spring, by way of keeping the len in Ex- ercife, clean a Piece of Ground for a Garden, and fow fuch Seeds of Grain, Pulfe, or Trees, as you may carry from hence, for the Ufe of the Natives, if any be there, or fuch who hereafter may go there from England; leaving tame Fowl, Pigs, 6c. if any be on board ; and carefully obferve fuch different kinds of Trees and Plants, as are un- known here, or different from ours in Europe. In cafe you fhould winter on the Wefl Coaft of /America, fhort of Cape Blanco, in Lat. 42*'. North, early in Spring, in March, after the Equinox, when Wind and Weather is feafonable, proceed in the Difcovery, until you get to the Southward of 40°, which will compleat it ; and upon your Return to the North-Eaflward, as Summer advances, make eafy Sail, and obferve the whole Coafl on the North Weft of Ameri- ca ; making careful Obfervations of all the Rivers, Bays, Head-Lands, 'tc making Charts, drawing the Bearings of the Lands, and Views from the Ships; with the Tides, Soundings, and Variation of the Compafs ; making Al- liances with the Natives, and fixing a Commerce with them upon profitable Terms to Britain, and equitable to therrj^ accordbg to their Value and Efteem for our Goods or Ma- . E 4 nufailurcs; M] kj-wi. . 12 -.1. 56 The Laft Expedition in * nufa^hires ; this will fully employ the Months of Aprit^ * Ahiy, and June^ fo as to get to 62*^ by the latter End of Ju- * /y, and thence rcpafs the Bay and Strait the Beginning of * Auguft. In cale the Ships ftiould fcparate after your laft * Rendezvous near Deer Sound, or Marbie IJland, after paff- * ing thro' the Openings to Weftward, let each, indcpen- * dcntly, endeavour to make out tlie Paffage, without wait- * ing for the other, and appoint their next Rendezvous at any * I Hand or Harbour neareft to 40 ** on the Back of Calif- rnia ; ' and in cafe either fhould Winter fhort of that, and more * Northerly than 54^, then endeavour to hire fome Indians to * crofs the Gountiy to Churchill River, or York Fort, or NeU * fWs River, with Letters directed to the Lords of.the Ad- * miralty, and to the Secretary of the North Weft Com- * mittee, giving an Abftraft of your Difcoveries *till that ' Time, with a Promife of a fufficient Reward to any of the * Suiiors who will accompany them, and carry them in the * Company's Ship to England y to prevent their being ftifled at * the Faftory, in cafe any Misfortune fhould happen to prevent * the Ship's Return next Seafon. In cafe, by any Accident, ' or unforefeen Difficulty, the Ships fhould not be able to fail * beyond or Weftward of Pi/lol-Bayy or JVager -Strait, fo ' as to get no farther South than Lat. 58° or 60° North ; or, < upon Trial, find no opening or Paflage thro' thofe broken * Lands or Iflands, to Weftward, or to South Weftward, * and fhould not meet, after paffing thefe broken Lands, any Tide of Flood coming from the Weftward; then, after Trial made, and full Proof of it to the Satisfaction of the Council, or the major Part of them, then you are forthwith to return to London, without Wintering in any part of the * Bay, in order to prevent unnecefTary Expences to the Ad-. ' venturers. If you meet any of the EJkimaux, or Nor- * them Indians, after paffing Wager -Straits, or Pijiol-Bay, * make particular Enquiry, by Signs, if they know where- ^ abouts the Copper Mine is ; and in cafe you fhould perfefl; < the Difcovery of the Paffage, and winter there, upon your *■ Return in July, when you are near 60^, make a more fh*iil * Enquiry and Search, and if you find it, bring home fome ' of the Ore, to be melted and afTayed here. * The Council, in all Difficulties where Doubts may arife < upon the moft prudent method of proceeding to make out * the Difcovery, is to confift of the Captains, Mr. Henry < Ellis, the Surgeons and Ma^es of each in one Council, < when they can meet ; and if feparated, then the faid Offi- < cers of each Ship, in which the Majority, are to determine Mt, ».„ the Dobbs and California. 57 hs of Aprtt^ r End of Ju- Beginning of fter your laft (iy after paff- ich, indcpen- without wait- ezvous at any Df Calif- rnia ; at, and more )ine Indians to Fort, or Nel- ds of, the Ad- 1 Weft Corn- cries Hill that I to any of the ry them in the being ftifled at ppen to prevent any Accident, >tbe able to fail ager-Strait, fo 0° North ; or, * thofe broken nth Weftward, en Lands, any d; then, after isfa^tton of the )u are forthwith any part of the ces to the Ad-. taux, or Nor- or Pjflol-Bay, y know where - fhould perfeft ere, upon your ce a more ftriil mg home fomc oubts may arife g to make out Mr. Henry one Council, the faid Offi- re to determine IS ' it. And if any material Difference (hould happen, relating * to the Profecution of the Difcovcry, the Minority may * fign the Reafons for their Difference of Opinion, to juftify * them in their I. jfTent. ' Yd u are delired to keep regular Minutes of all your Con- * fultations, which (hall be figned by three or more of the Coun- * cil before they break up : And that you keep fair Copies ' of all your Proceedings, which, at the return of your ' Voyage (or fooner, if you have an Opportunity by the * Hudfon^S'Day Ships) fhall be fealed up by three of the * Council, and tranfmitted by Port to Mr. Samuel Smith, Se- ' cretary to the Committee, in Cateaton-Street , upon your * Anivalin anyPartof Creat'Britain or Ireland. These Inftruftions I have given at large, that the Reader might have an Opportunity of feeing, not only how well they were calculated, to anfwer the Dedgn of regulating the Con- duft of thefe Commanders, in this panicular Voyage ; but how clear alfo they point out the Nature of the Expedi- tion, and the Means of accomplifhing it; as well as the fincere Intentions, of thofe who contrived then', to exe- cute in the moft cffcftual Manner, what had been fo well and fo wifely concerted, for the Public Benefit. But it is now Time to refume the Thread of our Nar- ration, The Ships fitted out for this Expedition, fell down from Crave/end to the HopCf on the 2oth of May^ 1 746 ; and lay there till the 24th of the fame Month, but in the mean Time the VefTels in the Service of the Hudfon^s-Bay Company, and his Majefty*s Ship the Loo of forty Guns, intended for our Convoy, were failed from the Nore ; upon Advice of which, the Ships bound f.r the Difcovery followed them, with all poffible Diligence, in Hopes of joining them at Tar* mouth \ and accordingly came up with them m Houfeley-Bay, where we received our Infbruftions from the Convoy. Up- on the 27th we anchored in Tarmouth Road, the California having received fome little j?amage m her PafFajre, ftaid to reht till the 3ifti when the Commodore made a fignal to weigh, which was done accordingly, in Company with the four Ships for Hudfon^s-.Bayy and fome others bound for the Norhward and Weftward. The I ft of June we pafled by Scarborough, and the 2d an- chored a-brcaft of Ttnmouth Caftle ; here our chief Mate left ws, or rather we left him, for he went afhore, and in the mcaa 7 ' 'flH • }•■! 58 Ibi iafl Expedition in mean Time the Convoy weighed, we made Signnls, and Hred Guns, for his coming off, but to no Purpole, lb we failed without him. The 5th we fell in with two Dutch Men of War, which faluted the Loo and flic as ufual returned the Com- pliment. It being very tempeduous, and having contrary Winds, on the 6th, the Man of War and Fleet bore away for Ham-S'iundy in the Iflcs of Orhiey^ and anchored in Kjrhvall-Bav that Evening, and the next Morning at Carfion in the Iflana of Pomona t where wc found the Sburk Sloop, Captain MiMeton, and the California at Anchor ; from the latter of which we had feparatcd the Night before wc entered Ham- Sound. Here we recruited ourfelves with Water, frefh Pro- viiions, and what other Neceffarics we had Occafion for. The 1 2th, Captain Middle ton (now appointed our Convoy, by Commodore Smith, upon his Arrival at Carflon) made a Sig- nal to weigh. All things being prepared, and the Wind fair, the Fleet got under Sail, and were clear of the Ifle that Evening. The 15th we pafled the Iflcs to the Weft ward of Hoyhead, called Roan and Burra, from whence we took our Depar- ture. The 17th, being about 60 Leagues to the Weftward of thofe Iflcs, the Convoy after receiving and anfwering the Salutes of the Hudfon^^-Buy Ships, and ours, left us toprofecute our Voyage, and returned to the Orkneys. On the 1 8th, we loft Company with the Hudfon's-Bay Ships, which were the laft we faw for that Year. The California and we being now left by ourfelves, Signals were compofed and a- greedon, for the better keeping Company; and proved, in the Courfe of the Voyage, very ufci'ul in that Refpeft. There was no- thing occurred but the common Circumftances of the Winds and Weather, till the 21ft at Night, when a terrible Fire broke out in the great Cabin of the Dobbs, and quickly made it's Progrefs to the Powder-Room, which was dire flly underneath it, ami where there were no lefs than thirty or forty Barrels of Powder, befides Candles, Spirits, Matches, and all manner of Combuftibles.' It is impoflible to exprefs the Confuflon and Confternation this Accident occafloned: The dangerous Place the Fire was in, gave every one on Board the greateft Reafon to expeft, that Moment, or the next at moft, was their laft. You might hear on this Occafion, all the Varieties of Sear Eloquence; Cries, Prayers, Curfes, and fcolding, mingled together; yet this did not prevent proper Meafures being taken to favc the Ship, and our Lives. Water in great Abundance was paflTed along, and properly applied, and all other Methods uled by thofe, who in fpite of thefe Diftur- bances , ftill preferved their Reafon, But as for the Crew in general. the Dobb«» and California. 59 lis, and tired lb wc failed \tch Men of edthe Gom- ng contrary t bore away anchored in ng at Carflon ^hark Sloop, om the latter niered Ham- , frelh Pro- ion for. our Convoy, / made a Sig- e Wind fair, hat Evening, of Hoyhead, our Depar- le Weftward nfwering the > toprofecute s-Day Ships, alifornia and pofed and a- oved, in the here was no- |e Winds and Fire broke |ly made it's underneath y Barrels of all manner e Confiifion dangerous the greateft moft, was he Varieties id fcolding, r Meafures ater in great lied, and all lefe Diftur- le Crew in general, ?eneral, their Apprehenfions fuggcftcd to them a Variety of Expedients, which without weighing or coniidcring, tliey one Moment endeavoured to execute, and the next abandoned through Diftraftion or Dcfpair. Some v\ ere for hoilHng out the Boats ; accordingly the Lalhings were cut f(»r that Purpofe, but none had Patience fufficient to join and hoift them out ; others were for fetting more Sail , to come up with the California , at this Time, at a great Diflance a-head, that if any (hould be alive after the Ship's being blown up, they might have a Chance of faving themfelves aboard of her. Though this was very chimerical, confidering our Condition, the Reefs were turned out of the Topfails, which with great Difficulty were properly fet. In the midft of all this Hurry, the Man at the Helm, reflefting on his Situation, and thinking it more dreadful than any other Perfons, having the Fire and Powder immediately under him, was quite diftrafted and thoughtlefs of his Charge: fo that Imagination cannot paint a wilder Scene, than was now exhibited aboard of us. The Ship was now Head to Wind, and the Sails (baking and making a Nolfe like Thunder; then running right before it, and rolling, every Body upon Deck waiting, and that too with a kind of Impatience, for the Blaft, that mull have put an End to our Fears and Uncertainties. At length the Fire was happily extinguifhed, and with it our Perplexities. There is certainly no one Thing a -board a Ship that requires fo much Attention, as the Care required to prevent Fire, as we had like fatally to have experienced, and as many feel daily. This Accident happened through the Negligence of the Cabin- Boy, who was left to take Care of the Candle ; the Captain and Offi- cers being on Deck, he forgot it, andthe Confequence was what I have related. Hence, till the 27th, nothing happened re- markable. We then fell in with great Quantities of low Ice, in Lat. 58° 30'. to the Eaftward of Cape Farewell m Croen- landf wbere having alfo very foggy Weather, wc had like to have loft Company with the Califorma ; but we luckily rejoined her, when the Weather grew fair, and both Ships ftanding to the Southward, foon got clear of the Ice. W^E failed for fometime after this, thro' Abundance of Drift-Wo d, that is, Pieces of pretty large Timber floating pt Sea ; a Thing which, as we cannot avoid obferving, fo with areafonable Proportion of Serioufnefs in a Mj.n's Tem- per, it is impoffible to obferve, without falling into a long Train of Refleftion ; becaufe no fatisfadory Account has been hitherto given, from whence this Drift- Wood ftiould come. All the Accounts we have of Croenland, of the Coafts of Davis's » , V' 11 1 w ' -"R V f I \i !■'■ 6, 5 •fe \ K ; •J il ■ 1 % /' ";: u j! i'li ■ i ■ -m't " . t -v li (Ml m .'i.--»i*Ka»M<«i«*»««ta«iSi*i)B,, 60 The lali Expedition in Dovish f and of Hudfon's Straits, however they differ in other Things, agree in this ; that no Timber grows to the Size of this Drift- Wood, in any of thole Parts, and therefore it has been judged, that wherever it came from, it could not be from any of them. Some have perfuaded themfelves, that it muft be driven hither from Norway ; and others from the Eaft Coaft of Terra de Labrador y m North America ; but I muft own neither of thefe Accounts appears probable to me ; for as the North Wefterly Winds prevail much in thefe Parts, they would prevent its coming from Norway ; as on the other Hand, the ftrong Currents fetting out of Davis and HudfurCs Straits, Southward, muft hinder it's Paflage from the Coaft of America into thefe Seas. The Relation of the Reverend Mr. Egede, who refided feveral Years at the Danijh Colony, on the Weft Side of Croenlandj feems to afford us an Account, of all others, the kaft liable to Exception ; which is this : He fays, that on the Eaft Coaft of that Country, he has feen Birch, Elm, and other Kinds of Trees, eighteen Feet high, and as thick as his Leg, in the Latitude of 61°, from whence I infer it muft come from thence. He farther obferves, that in Norway, as well as Croenlandf the Eaft Coaft, is warmer than the Weft, and, confequently. Things grow there in a more kindly manner, and to a larger Size ; fo that 'till fomething more probable is offered upon this Subjeft, we muft be content to allow, this Drift-Wood comes from Croenland, O N the 5th of July we began to fall in with thofe Moun- tains of Ice which are always met with near Hudfon^s Straits. This mountainous Ice is of a prodigious Size ; and if I ftiould fay, that we fometimes find it five or fix Hundred Yards thick, 1 am thoroughly fatisfied that I /hould not exceed the Truth. But tho' tlie Faft might be eafily put out of C^eftion, by citing a Multitude of Authorities, yet this will not in the leaft contribute to folve the Difficulty of conceiving how thefe ftupendous Mountains are generated, but rather the con- trary. Various Attempts, however, have been made to get over this Queftion, and amongft the reft, Captain Middkton has endeavoured to explain the Thing thus. 'All along the Coaft (fays he) oiBaffin^s-Bay, Hudfon^s- ' Straits, eck:, and affords only room for one Man to fit in, his Feet ftrctched forward, and fome- times a Skin laced about his Waift from the Rim before-men- tioned, v/hich effedlualiy ftiuts out all Water. The Seams they rub with a kind of Pitch or Glue, which is faid to be made of Seals Blubber ; in thefe Boats tliey carry theii- little Conveniences and Inftrurnents for killing Whales, Sea- Morfes, Sea- Unicorns, Seals,, 6c, at all which they are very €3ipert J they likev/iie carry Sliiiga an4 StQnes ui their Canoes, which ■"t, 64 The Laft Expedition in 1 ':\ which they ufe very dextrouily, and can do Fxecution al i great Diftance. Their Harpoons are heaoicu . 'a! . o;ntci' with Sea-Horfe Teeth, the upper End ferves to Ipcir ih", \/hale, or other large Animals, when they are ilruck, lit Wioa rea>» dily to dilpatch them ; the lower End is made uic of to ftrike the Fifh, and introduce into his Body a Barb tipped with Iron> which remains there whilfl the other part of the Harpoon dif- cngages itfelf readily and comes out. To this Barb is faftened a Thong of Sea-Horfe-Hlde, at the end of which is ? Seal Skin blown up, which ferves as a Buoy to fhew where the Whale is when he goes down, and prodi^oufly fati^ its him as he fwims. At laft having entirely exhaufted his Force, he grows faint, and with fome fmall ftruggle he expires. They 3ien with their Canoes tow him afhore, ftrip him of his Fat or Blubber, which ferves them for Food, and to bum in their Lamps in die Winter. Bt ^iDEs thefe finall Canoes for tlie Men, which are iharp at each End, about twenty Feet long, and eighteen Inches or two Foot broad, paddled by one Paddle, broad at each End, which ferves both Sides without changing it j tljey have Boats much larger, that are open, and rowed by the Women ; thcfe are made of the fame Materials as the former, and will carry above twenty Perfons. As to the Drefs of thefe People, there may much be faid, and that too not unentertaining, however, 1 fhall be very concife. The Mens Clothes are of Seal Skins, Deer Skins^ and fometimes alfo are made of the Skins of Land and Sea Fowl fewed together ; each of their Goats hi9 a Hood like that of a Capuchin, is clofe from the Breal> before like a Shirt, and reaches not lower than the middle of the Thigh j their Bi "eches are rl. ,1 Sefore afid behind, gathered like a Purfe with a String, u* * led about their Waifts ; they have feveral Pair of Boots and Socks, that they wear one over another to keep them warm, and which keep out the Water* The Difference between the Drefs of the Men and the Women is, that the Women have a Train to their Jackets, that reaches down to their Heels. Their Hoods are alfo larger and wider at the Shoulders, for the fake of carrying their Children irt them more conveniently on their Backs, and their Boots are a great deal wider, and are commonly ftuck out with Sticks of Whalebone, becaufe when they want to lay their Child out of their Arms, they flip it into one of their Boots, till they can take it up again. Some few of them wear Shifts of Seals Bladders fewed together in pretty near the fame Form with thofc ih Europe, In general their Clothes are fewed very neat, which ^.^v* ih t>o'jbs [arpoon dif- -b is faftened h is ? Seal T where the 'atip, '.I.S him is Force, he ires. They 1 of his Fat bum in their ich are Iharp :en Inches or at each End, y have Boats 'oraen ; thcfe ad will carry luch be faid, lall be very Deer Skins^ .and and Sea a Hood like before like a the Thigh j Ithered like a they hav6 ar one over the Water* the Women , that reaches er and wider Children irt Ir Boots are with Sticks loir Child out jots, till they ifts of Seals le Form with ed very neat, which .» '-> '^ pcrforr 1 with an Ivory Needle, and the Sinews of iveer fplit fine, and fo ufed for Thread. T^»e;<- is ItkcwiQs a good deal of Tafte id Jiidgment diicovered in th? man n6r in which th^^y adorn thcni with Stripes of different co- loured Skins, fewed in the manner of Borders, Cuffs and Rob- ings for their Clothes, which altogether look very tight, neat, and even elegant, or at leaft handfome as well as convenient* If theur Clothes and other NecefTaries are well contrived, their Snow- Eyes, as tliey very properly call them, are no lefs fo> Thefe are Bits of Wood or Ivory, neatly formed to cover the Organs of Sight, and tied at the Back of the Head: In each Piece of Wood i^re two Slits, of the fame Length with the Eyes, but narrow; thro' which they fee very aif" tinttly, and without feeling any Inconvenience. This Inven- tion prevents Snow-Blindnels> a very grievous and painful Diftemper, occafioned by the A6Hon of th6 Light, ftrongly reflefted from the Snow upon the Eyes, more efpecially in the Spring, when the Sun is pretty high* The Vic of thefe ftrengthens the Sight prodigioufly, and becomes fo habitual, that when they would obferve any Objc6l at a great Diflance, they commonly look tlirough them, as we do through Te* lefcopes* The fame Spirit of Invention (hews itfelf full as much, or rather more, in their Infh'uments for Fifhing and Fowling: Their Darts and Harpoons are very well made, and anfwer their Intentions perfectly well ; but their greateft Ingenuity is (hewn in the Stru£hire of their Bows, made commonly of three Pieces of Wood, each making a Part of the fame Arch, very nicely and exa£Hy joined together. They are common- ly of Fir, or Larch, which tlic Engli/h there call Juniper; and as this wants Strength and Elaflicity, they fupply both by bracing the Back of tifie Bow, with a kind of Thread or Line made of the Sinews of their Deer, and the Bow- String of the fame Materid. To make ^hem draw more flifly, they dip them into Water, which caufes both the Back of the Bow and the String to contraft, and confequently gives it ihc greater Force; and as the" prai:Fife from their Youth, they (hoot with very great Dex . Thus much I can report of thefe People from my owi uiowledge; and I Ihall next add a few Particulars from the bcft Information I could obtain . The very Orthography of the Word EJkimaux plainly proves it an Indian Appellative, with a French Termination; and we are told by a celebrated \Vriter of that Country,, that it i« derived from the Words Abenaqui Efquimanjk, which is as much as to fay, An eater of ra'-jj Flejh-^ and indeed thii leems to F be ,■ \. > I ■M h AiW ^ 66 7'he Laft Expedition in be a very rat'nnal Etymology; for fo far as it is hitherto known, the EJkimaux are the only Nation that cat Animal Food abfolutely raw. It is from hence, from the Whitencfs of their Skin, and from their having Beards, which no Indians have, that they are believed to be the fame People with the Croenlandcrs ; nor is this at all improbable, when we condder the NaiTownefs of Davis*s Streights, and that kind of va- gabond Life to which this whole Nation are addi^ced. The Character generally given of them is none of the beft ; for wc find them reprelented by Travellers of all Nations, as cun- ning, ihievifti, treacherous, gruel, fawning, and fufpicious. But if they really defcended from the Groenlanders , we may polfibly, when we come to know them better, confider them in another Light. For the Danes, fettled in that Country, have obferved of its Inhabitants, that tho* they have a ftrong Tinfture of all thefc Vices, yet the bad Effefts of them are felt only by Foreigners, and amongfl themfelves they are ftriftly honeft, chafte, temperate, and full of Gompaffion; but believing the reft of Mankind to be of another Race, and for that Reafon naturally Enemies to them, they confine all tlieir focial Virtues to their own Nation, and look upon the reft of the World not as Strangers only, but Enemies. It may be when wc come to have a conftant Commerce with the EJkhnauXf they may abate of their Barbarity, fince the Groen- landers are now fo well reconciled to the Danes , that are fet- tled in their Country; as to leave off pilfering and ftealing from them ; and many other bad Cuftoms, for which, in former Times, they were infamous. Thefe Obfervations may lUifice with relpeft to the Efkimaux ; and therefore we will now refume the Journal of our Voyage. TuE 13th of July we fell in with Abundance of low Ice, from five to ten Fathoms thick, tlirough which we failed with much Caution, and without much Danger or Difficulty, ex- cept where the Pieces were veiy thick and clofe. Whenever this happens to be the Cafe, it is very dangerous to drive a- gainft a large Piece, efpecially with great Force ; for it is the iame as a Rock, if it is not broke by the Shock; and this is the Reafon all the Ships frequenting icy Seas are made very ib'ong and thick in Timber, more elpecially about the Bows; aud all this is found little enough too, there being frequent liiiUnces on the Goad of Croenlandf and in Davis's Straits ot Ships being ftove by it. ' Mi. Cotes f who was a Commander in the Hudfonh-Bay Company's Service, has loft two Ships, one byrunniiig againfl: a Piecf of Ice in the Night, off Cape Fare-well, by which Stroke the t)obb3 and CaliromJA. 67 is hitherto cat Animal be Whitencfs ich no Indians pie with the n we confider t kind of va- dicfced. The thebeft; for itions, ascun- ,nd fufpicious. \ders, we may confider them that Country, y have a ftrong ts of them are felves they are f Compaffion; ther Race, and ley confine all I look upon the It Enemies. It amerce with the fince the Crotf«- that are fet- 'S, ig and ftealing for which, in fe Obfervations nd therefore we ICC of low Ice, .we failed with Difficulty, ex- ^fe. Whenever ous to drive a- e ; for it is the •ck; and this is are made very lOUt the Bows ; being frequent Davis's Straits |e Hudfonh-Bay runnuig againft Vwdl, by which Stroke Stroke the Ship foundered ; and another in Hudfon's -Straits ^ where two large Pieces of Ice, by ftrong Tides fetting diffe- rent Ways, were driven together with great Force ; the Ship being between themj was fo fqueezcd together, that flic funk as foon as the Ice fcpaPatcd; but very fortunately in both Accidents, the Men were favcd by another of the Hndfrn's- Bay Ships, Tor they always keep Company on the oui^jard- bound Pafl!age. It is alfo related, on credible Evidence, that one of the Gompany^s Sloops going between York-Rrt and Chwchilif was in like manner caught betwixt two Pieces of Ice, and upon their meeting flie was raifed quite out of the Water, and left dry upon one of them ; but flie receiving no Damage by that ftrange Accident, when the Ice opened, the People launched her, and proceeded on their Voyage* It is very eafy to difcover our Approach towards fuch Ice, for the Air immediately changes its Temperature, from warm to cold ; beiides thick Fogs generally accompany it ; but thefe lie low upon the Surface, often not fo high as the Ship's Malts Head ; fo that it has fometimes happened that the Efkimaux have walked from the Land to the Ships upon the IcCj, before thofe aboard ha : difcovered it. It is common to iee the. Ice thrown above the Horizon, at leaft 6° ; fo that you will defcry it at a much greater Diftance than if the re-* frad^ve Power of the Air was not fo great* The 17th the Ice being very thick about Us, ^ve made faft to a very large Piece of it, with feveral Ice Anchors and Ropes. It is requifite in fuch Cafes to make Choice of thet iargeft Piece that can be found for this Purpofe, becaufc hav- ing more hold of the Water, it is lefs affefted by Winds and Currents (which generally run on the Surface) fo that all th^ final! Ice is drove from about us in Time, and we are left at liberty to proceed. Here we unhung our Rudder, which traverfed very ftiffly> and made it go eafierj and the Crew of the California^ as well as we in the Dohbs GaUey, filled our empty Caiks 'with frefli Water out of the Ponds that are Commonly found upon the Ice. The 1 8th we had a good deal of Lightning and Thunder, which, however does not fi-equently happen here; and may riot the Reafon of thi. be> that the Aurora Borealis, that is comnion both in Winter and Summer, kindles and difperfes thole fulphurous Vapours that \vould oriierwife produce Lightning and Thunder ? We now found the little Pools of Water on the Ice froze over almoft every Nightj efpecially if the Wind was Northerly* ThK tpdi the great Piece of Ice^we were faft to> fepa- tiUd m feveral Places, and difperfed ; ^on whicb we.nad« F a f*it ,^uit; i ; , km 1 ti'U 68 The Loft Expedition in . M' I ir'*.^^^ faft to another ; but the Ice quickly opening, we got under an cafy Sail, and flood through vaft Quantities of it tiU towards Evening, when we grappelled again, the Ifland of Cape Charles in View, diftant about fevcn Leagues to the South- ward : In this Manner we continued much incommoded with Ice, which would be tedious to recite in a particular Manner, now making fail, then calling loofe, traverflng and iaiiing tlirough it until the 30th, when we got into clear Water, a- brcail of the Ifland of Salijbury, almoftat the Wefl: Entrance of Hudfon's'Straiis. If I was to give any Direftions for avoid- ing the thickeft of the Ice in thefe Straits, it would be to keep pretty iiear the North Shore, for we always obferved that Side much the cleared, as not only the Winds blow moftly from thence, but Currents too come out of moft of thole large Openings which are on that Side. Th« 2d of WuguP -we doubled Cape Diggs, and on the 4th priTcd the Ifland of Man/el. Between this and Cape South- ampton we found a dead Whale floating, in which was an EJkimaux Barb, with a Thong of Sea-Horfc Hide faft to it; it had been kiUed fome Time by thofe People, and was a good deal decayed, Part of the Bone was fallen off, but the Remainder we faved, as alio two Gaflcs of Blubber^ and then left it. The I ith we made the Land on the Weft Side the WeU eome, in Latitude 64° North ; as it was then late in the After- noon, and we at a confiderable Diftance, the Captain thought it not prudent to fend the Boat from the Ships to make axij Trial there, but deferred it in hopes of doing it next Day; in the mean Time it began to blow very hard Southerly, fo that it became neceflary to ftand off Shore, for Fear we fhould be embayed; the Gale continued the 12th, but fliifted to the Northward, fo that we could not get in with that Part of the Coaft we left. Marble IJlatid was the next Place we faw on the 19th: There the Long- Boats of each Ship were fent commanded by the chief Mates, with whom I went; ocr Bufinefs was to procure a Knowledge of the Time, Direftr- on. Velocity, and Height of the Tides, and to obferve every other Circumftance that might furnifli any I-ights towards the Difcovery of a PalFage, which was executed, and a Re- port made to the Council, on our Return, upon the i6th, importing, that we faw fevcral confiderable Openings to the Weftward of this Ifland ; that the Flood Tide came from the North Eaft, the Gourfe of the Cor^ ; that it was High Wa- ter there at Four o'clock, full and Change of the Moon, and rofe about ten Feet. Nothing farther was done this Sca- fon fon tc the JV per fc lution ' trar ' Lan ' of 2 ' toM ' favo ' the I ' as b( ' the 1 ' Gam which way a( ters. Bef give a f Center 00 We] fix Lea| End, ai of an I: fome Pi blue, ai rent anc huddled deep Cj fiderable oozed 01 gined th Place it another which it low Soil frefli Wi by fome about foi the Win very fwif many Tr ther, eitl perftitiou Stones, we got under it tifl towards land of Cape to the South- mmoded with icular Manner, ng and failing ear "Water, a- Weft Entrance tions for avoid - t would be to Iways obferved ids blow moftly moft of thole gSf and on the and Cape South- I which was an Hidefafttoit; pie, and was a lUen off, but the lubber, and then ft Side the Wei- ate in the After- Captain thought )s to make any ing it next Day; rd Southerly, fo r Fear we fhould >ut (hifted to the that Part of the Place we faw on Ship were fent >m I went; oCr Time, Direfti- to obferve every Lights towards cuted, and a Re- upon the i6th, Openings to the de came from the t was High Wa- e of the Moon, ^as done this Sea- fon the Dobbs and California. Co fon towards a Difcovery ; but a Refolution was agreed to, by the Majority of the Council, to bear away for a Place, pro- per for our Winter Quarters ; the Purport of which Refo- lution, was to the following Effeft, viz. * That whereas the Seafon was far advanced. Winds con- * trary, and unfavourable for a further Search of the broken * Lands to the Weft ward of Marble J/land, and the Certainty ' of a Paftage being yet undetermined, it was thought proper ' to Winter in fome ?art of Hud/on' s-Bay, in hopes of a more ' favourable Opportunity the fucceeding Seafon to profecutc * the Difcovery. Port Nelfott was fixed on for this Purpofe, ' as being preferable to any other Place, it being clear of Ice ' the fooneft, abounding with Wood, Venifon, and other ' Game, neceflfary for the Prefervation of the People, 6c.* which Aft of Council was figned, and the Ships bore a- way accordingly, upon the 17th, for their Winter Qiiar- ters. Before we abfolutely leave this Ifland, I fliall venture to give a liiccinft Defcription of it, as it appeared tome. The Center of it lies in Latitude 62* 55' North, Longitude 92* 00 Weft from London; its greateft Length from Ealt to Weft fix Leagues, its Breath two or three Miles. High at the Weft End, and low at the Eaft, the Land is one continued Rock, of an hard and white kind of Marble, tho' interfperfed ia fome Places with Spots of different coloured Stone, as green, blue, and black. The Tops of the Hills are prodigioufly rent and Ihattered, Numbers of huge Rocks are confufedly huddled together, as if by an L-ruption : for under them arc deep Caverns, where one may hear a great Noife, as of con- fiderable Streams rolling over Rocks. By the Water that oozed out of tlie Clefts of the Rr-ks in many Places, 1 ima- gined there might be Copper, or other Mines; for in one Place it was of a green Colour, tafting like Verdigreafe ; in another perfeftly red, and dying the Stones, over and through which it paffed, of the fame Hue. In the Vallies was a (hal- low Soil of Turf, but very little Herbage, and feveral Pools of frefli Water, in which were Swans, Ducks, 6c. and hard by fome Deer grazing^ which come from the Main^ lying about four Leagues to the Northward, either upon the Ice in the Winter, or fwim over m the Summer : thi« they can do very fwiftly, and can hold it to a great Diftance. We found many Tradts of the EJkimaux, as Stones fet, one upon ano- ther, either as Land-Marks, or in Confequence of fome fu- perftitious Cuftom ; bcfides many Graves, or large Heaps of Stones, under which their Dead lie buried ; and the Founda- ^n ■I I" ) n n: ,it^(JC F3 tjon I .'1 .! 70 T'he Lafl Expedition in tion of fome of their Huts, which arc built circular, and in the Form of a Bee-Hive, with Stone and Mofs, Between this Ifland and tlic North Main, is tolerable good riding in eight, ten, or twelve Fathoms Water, clear and good hold- ing Ground, but the only Harbour is at the South -Weft Part of it. The Entrance is but narrow and (hoalj, having no more than thirteen Feet Water at the Height of common Tides, but within it is capacious enough to hold one Hundred Sail. It is very difficult to difcover the Mouth of it, being coi vered by alow rocky Iflc, upon which the Sea break;, pretty high, and this muft be kept on the Larboard hdnd going in. I thought it the more necefTary to mention this Harbour, as it had been rcprefentdd to Mr, Dobbs as a very fine one ; which indeed it would be, if its Entrance was deeper, but as it is, can only fcrve for VefTels of fmall Burthen. So tnuch for Marble IJlartd; now let us return to our Voyage. In our Paflage from this Place to Port Nel/on, we had ve-. ry bluftcring Weather, attended with Snow, Sleet, and thick Fogs. We arrived in fight of the Shoals of that River on the ^5th of Atgufiy and anchored during the Ebb- Tide, about two Leagues from them, Thefe Shoals are very dangerous, as they lie four or five Leagues off Shore, and ftretch from !North to South about ten Miles ; as they are dry at Half- Tide, the Sea breaks high upon them : Their Center lies in Latitude ^y° 50' North, The beft way to know when you approach them, is to obferve where the Water ftioals, and the Pottom grows hard, but the contrary as you leave them. The 26th, the Weather being fine and moderate, the Boats of each Ship were fent a-head to found, and to ereft a iFlag, as a Mark to fail over the Flats at the Mouth of the Southern Branch, or Hayes\ River : This was to be raifed at a good Anchoring- Place, called Five -Fathom- Hole , within fcven Miles of Tork-Fort, and accordingly was done. The California got fafe to an Anchor there, but the Dobbs came a- ground on the Flats, and had it blown hard, muft inevitably have been loft. The Governor, feeing us in this deep Diftrefs, in order to complete it, fent his Boat and People to cut down the Beacon, which was the only proper Maik we had to guide us into a Place of Safety, when we might get the Ship afloat^ AH that Mr. Holdings Captain Smith's Lieutenant, could fay to diffuade them from it, was ineffedhial ; they cut it down ; at the fame Time they acknowledged, that when they rec6i,v-. ed thofe Orders, the Governor very well knew who we vi^ere. This Beginning gave us but too well to underftapid \vhat T^^at-. :pici^t w? were to expeft there. ^ . * , \r\i ' ■ " ' "'"* "•"' In (5 the Dobbs and California. 71 cular, and in fs, Between ood riding in id good hold - ith-Weft Part )aij, having no It of common 1 one Hundred )f it, being coi \ break, pretty d going in. I Harbour, as it le one ; which r, but ask is, So much fur igc. m, we had vc- Sleet, and thick at River on the t)b-Tidc, about wry dangerous, nd ftretchfrom y at Half- Tide, lies in Latitude n you approach and thp ^Qttom 1. moderate, the and to ereft a Mouth of the as to be raifed m-Hole, within IS done. The Dobbs came a- muft inevitably is deep Diftrefs, le to cut down e had to guide the Ship afloat, inant, could fay ly cut it down ; en they receiv-. who we v^cre. id what Treat-. .v-* In In the mean Time, the DrMs floated, and the 27th got to an Anchor near the Califtrnia. There we received a Let- ter from the Governor, defiring us not to come any nearer the Faftory, without fending a proper Authority from the Govern- ment, or HudfoyCs-Bay Company, for fo doing, or he would ufe his utmoft Strength and Endeavour to prevent us. The Anfwcr given by us to this extraordinary Mefl!aee, was to the following Efledt : That we found ourfelves under a Ncceflity of Wintering in fome Part of the Bay; fgr which Pui-pole we chofe this as the moft convenient ; and that we expected Shelter and Afliftance, as Subjects of Great -Britain ^ and People who had no Intentions to molefl the HudforCs-Bay Company's Trade, or who were dircdled by any Alotive in coming thither other than the Security of the Ships, and the Prcfcrvation of the People ; and in /hort, that we were rcfolv- t^ to winter thereabouts. Mr. Holding and I went with this Anfwer, and were received by the Governor in a very haughty and difrefpedtful manner ; after which fcvcral Letters palled between the Governor and us, endeavouring to diifuadc us from having any Thoughts of wintering near him ; but as they lerved for no other Purpofe, tlian to amufe and perplex us, the Correfpendence was loon over, and is indeed hardly worth a Relation. As it had been our Intentions, and the Refolution of Coun- cil, to winter at Port Nelfunj and not at this Place, it occa- fioned both Captains, and feveral of the Officers, with the Boats of each Ship, to make a ftiort Trip, in order to examine that River, We fct out the 30th Inftant, for this Purpofe, and arrived there the fame Day. We found it anfwer in every Refpcdt our Expeftations ; inafmuch as this is the fineft River in Hudfm^s-Bayy navigable for many Leagues, having a Communication with the great Lakes behind Canada^ and upon which, of all others, the mofl; advantageous Trade might be carried on, provided Settlements were made about thirty Leagues up. There the Climate is, what mayjufUy be ftiled temperate ; the Diftance from the Indians lefs, as well as the Danger and Difficulty of tranfporting their Goods, in fmall Canoes ; and whe cas now- they come but once a Year to the Faftories, they might, if the Settlements were higher up, come twice or three Times, and in much greater Numbers, The Inconvenience and Difficulty they find to fupport themfelvcs, on fuch long Journeys, the Cold they feel on approaching the Shores of tihat icy Bay, the La- bour of fo long, fo precarious, and fo dangerous a Carriage, 1 r-s, F 4 whicU V] ing efltded, we turned our Thoughts on the Methods necef- fary for oui- own Prefervation ; being certain there was no Pof- fibiliry of living aboard the Ship for Cold, wherefore fome of the People were employed in cutting Fire-Wood: others in building Log- Tents This is a Contrivance borrowed, as I fuppoff, the Dobbs and California. ff fuppofe, from the Natives ; and ours were made of Trees hewn and cut, about fixteen Feet long, raifed dofe together, their Ends lying one againft another at the Top, but extending at the Bottom, in the Form of the Roof of a Country- Houfe. Between ti.efe Logs the Vacancies were fhiffed with Mofs, and that being plaiftered over with Clay, made a warm Hutt ; the Door was low and fmall, a Fire-Place in the middle, and a Hole over it, to let out the Smoke. But the grand Bufinefs, and what engroffed mod of our Attention, was the building a Houfe for the Captain and Offi- cers to dwell in. The Situation we chofe for it, was equally pleafant and convenient ; it was on an Eminence furrounded with Trees ; the main River was half a Mile diftant, to the North Weft j the Creek where our Ship lay, near the fame Diftance ; on the South Weft we had a handfome Bafon of Water, called the Beaver Creek, about 150 Yards diftantin Front, which looked like a grand Canal, in Profpeft ; and thick and tall Woods protefted us from the North and North- Eaft Winds. The Situation chofen, I drew a Plan of our intended Manfion, which the Captains approved of. The Houfe, according to this Plan, was to be twenty-eight Feet long, and eighteen Feet broad ; to have two Stories, the low- er one to be fix, and the upper feven Feet high ; the Captain andfome of the principal Officers were to lie iJbove, and the Remainder below, as alfothe Subalterns and Servants. The Door was to be in the middle of the Front, five Feet high, and three broad, with four Wmdows above Stairs, one in each Captain's Room, and one at each End, to enlighten the Paflage and the Officers Cabins. The Ridge of the Roof was to be but a Foot higher than the Side -Walls, in order to let the Wet drain off, and to keep the Houfe the warmer by being clofe and low. The Stove was to be placed in the Center, that every Body might partake equally of it's Heat. ? These Matters being thus adjufted, all Hands were fet to Work : Trees cut down and hewed. Planks fawed, the Walls begun, by placing one large Log upon another, with Mofs between, and nailing them down : In a Word the Houfe was raifed, covered and almoft finiftied by the id of November, In the mean Time, the Weather was become exceffively cold, tho' the Seafon had been very open and favourable to what it ufually is. The Winter began in the latter End of Septem- her with Sleet, and large Flakes of Snow, and frofty Nights j troublefome enough, but not feeming to merit the terrible Reports given of thefe Winters, by fome Authors. On the 5th of O^ober, we had much Ice in the Creek, and 11 f^ The loft Expedition in \' by the 8th it was fail froze. Until the 30th we had Snaw, Frofts, and moderate Weather, alternately, and that Day be- ing his prefent Majefty's Birth- Day, we hoifted our Colours, and fired twenty-one Guns. The 31 ft, Hayes'^ River was froze quite hard, fo that now we had fome Experience of what was to be expe<5ted from an Hudfon\'Bay Winter. T H E 2d oi November y we could not keep the Ink from freezing at the Fire, On the 3d we difcovcred all the bottled Beer froze folid, tho\ packed up in Tow, and near a good rire. The 6th the Cold became infupportable aboard, fo that the Sailors were . diftributed among the fevei'al Tents, which vere aifigned for their Conveniency and Prefervation in the Woods, and the Captains, Officers, 6c. went to live in their new Houfe, which by this Time was finiftied : It was chri- ftened (in the Sea-way) Montague-House, in Honour of that worthy Nobleman, and generous Patron of all ufeful Un- dertakings, his Grace the DVKE of MONT JGUE ; who, from his confldering this Expedition in that Light, was one of our. Subfcribers. Wf. likewife began about this Time to, put on our Winter Drefs, which conlifted of a Robe of Beaver SkUi, with the Furr on, which reached to our Heels, and two Waiftcoats under it, a Cap and Mittens of the fame, liiied with Flannel, ;i Pair of Indian Stockings, over our Yarn ones, made of Broad Cloth or Leather, which reached up to the mid Thigh, with Shoes of foft-tanned Moofe or Elk- Skin, under which we wore two or three Pair of Blanket, or thick Dgffil Socks to prevent our Feet freezing, which is a thing that neverthelels frequently happens; a Pair of Snow- Shoes, about five Feet long, and eighteen Inches wide, to hind«r us from finkmg in the Snow, eompleated the Drefs. This is, properly fpeaking, the Garb of the Indians of this Country, who have taught it the Einglijh \ and than which nothing can \>& better contrived, both for Convenience and Ufe, For when we were thus equipped, we were able to ftand the keeneft Cold, (except on- ly for a few Days) that happened during the Winter. As in every Country, different SeafoiiS produce, or rather direft Men to different Employments,- fo in this, our utmoft Skill was (hewn, and Induftry exerted, in kiUbg Rabbits and Partridges, which is the chief Game to be met with at this Seafon. The former wc caught after the following Man- ner. We cut down feveral finall Bufhy T-ees, with thefewemade a Hedge two Feet high, and of what length we pleafed, leaving at every twenty Yards Diftance, fmall Holes for the Rabbits to run through, for we obfervcd, that fhey never attempted to jump over* In thefc were fct Snares if thi Dobbs and California. 75 had Snaw, at Day be- r Colours, River was >erience of nter. Ink from the bottled ear a good ard, fo that nts, which Ltion in the ive in their waschri- Honour of ufeful Un- JE ; who, :, was one Dur Winter , with the Waiftcoats th Flannel, ie of Broad high, with which we 1 Socks to everthelefe it live Feet 1 finking Ui J fpeaking, e taught it contrived, were thus except on- r. y or rather our utmoft ,abbits and th at this 'ing Man- ees, with lat length nee, fmall rved, that fet Snares of of Wire, the Ends of which were made faft to the End of a Pole, that lay over a Crutch, in fuch a manner, that when the Rabbits entered, and began to ftruggle, the Pole kicked up, and hung them two or three Feet off the Ground. This Contrivance had a double Conveniency, as it fecured us the Game we wanted, and by their being thiis fufpended, protefted them when taken from being devoured by other Anunals, They ufe at the Faftories no other Me- thod of killing the Partridges than fhooting them, and in this they are very fuccefsful, for they are there in very great Plcn* ty ; infomuch that fome Men may be able to {hoot fixty or eighty in a Day'c Time, which makes a good Article in the Magazine - Lift of Winter Provifion , r All Animals of the Fur kind, are caught in Traps of dif- ferent Sorts or Nets, and thus the Beaver is moft commonly taken. The Conftruftion of thefe Creatures Dens, Bur- roughs, or, as, they are commonly called,, Houfes, are very curious and ftrong, bemg built of Wood, Stone and Clay, with feveral Apartments in them for different Ufes, The Si- fuation of thefe Beaver-Houfes is always by the Side of a Lake pr Pool, for their greater Convenience, and more effe,£hiaj Security. It wouldbe needlefs for me to fay more on this Subjeft, as it has been fo well handled by eminent Writers, and what I have faid, is intended only to confirm ^ or at leaft corroborate, what they deliver more at large, But as die Methods ufed by the Natives in taking diem, may not be the fame in different Countries, or fo generally known as other Circumftanccs relating to them, I fhall be more particular, The m-'ner of the Hud/on^ s-Bay Indians' taking them, is firft to drain as much of the Water from about their Houfes as poffible / this done, and their Door covered with a ftrong Net, they break in at the Top of the Hovife, which as foon as the Seavers diicover, they run to the Door to make their Efcape, and are there entangled in the Nets, feiz-r ed by the Indians y and immediately fkinned. Thefe Skins they fpread to dry in the Sun, and cat the Flefh^ which is ve-^ ry fat and delicious. A s November fet in with keen Frofts, fo they continued through the whole of that Month, without any other Altera^ tion than freezing with more or lefs Severity, as the Winds changed, When the Wind was Wefterly or Southerly, the Gold was very fupportable ; but as it changed to the North Weft, or North, it became immediately exceflively keen, and often attended with a Sort of Snow, no Jarger than fo many Grrains of Sand, which drifted with the Wind in Clouds, from every Plain, or flat Place, that lay expofed to it. This made it IH m I 76 7he Lafi Expedition in it very dangerous to be out in any fuch Plains, or upon the River, at thofe Times, as this drift Snow is commonly fo thick, that one can fcarcely fee twenty Yards ; nor is there any Tracks or Paths left to direct one ; all being very fpee- dily levelled by the Snow. Sometimes when they have been thus caught, People have wandered in the utmo^ Danger of being froze to Death, for many Hours, upon the Ice of the River, not half a Mile from the Faftory, and yet, from the Caufes beforementioned, could not find their v/ay thither. But thefe fevere Colds are not felt above four or five Days in a Month, and generally about die Full and Change of the Moon, which is obferved to have a mighty Influence on the "Weather in thefe Parts. Then it is very tempeftuous; the Wind at North Weft, one may fay conftantly in the Winter ; and generally at thofe Periods in the Summer. But at other Tunes, tho' there is a continued hard Froft, yet it is pleafant enough ; the Winds are variable and moderate ; and ont can very well go abroad either /hooting or trapping. The People now began to come from their Tents, weekly, for their Provifions out of the Ship, of which they ufed but little, in the Beginning of the Seafon, while the Rabbits were Plenty, nay, they in a good Meafure iupplyed us at Montague Houfe with them. What Things they had to carry backward or forward, they drew after them upon fmall Sledges, made of about a dozen thin Staves joined together, four in Breadth, and turned up at one End, that they might the better and more eafily Aide over the Snow. One Man may conveniently draw on fuch a Sledge, above a Hundred Weight, fifteen or fixteen Miles in a Winter's Day. The Dogs in this Country are of the Size of common MaftifFs, and by Na- ture never bark, but growl when they are provoked; and thefe Dogs being the only Beafts of Burthen, ufed there by Englijh or Indians, will draw much more, and that to a greater Diftance, if neceflary. In long Journies, through deep Snows, the Men generally go before them to beat a Path with their Snow Shoes ; the Dogs foon grow accuftomed to whatever they are taught, and being docil and tradable are very ufefd. They are regularly fed by the Englijh upon the fame Allowance as the Men ; but the Natives are quite remifs in this Refpe^t, fo that theirs live chiefly on what they can get. Besides thefe fmall Sledges, we had others more large and ftrong, for carrying grea* Weights ; thefe were of the fame Form as thofe before defcribed, but ten or twelve Feet long, and three wide, they require twenty or thuty Men yoked •It. ■ . the Dobbs and California. 77 upon the imonly fo ' is there ^ery fpee- have been )anger of ce of the , from the lither. five Days ige of the ce on the uous; the : Winter ; t at other is pleafant 1 ont can s, weekly, y ufed but e Rabbits yed us at id to carry bon fmall together, ley might Man may i Weight, ■ Dogs in id by Na- )ked; and there by that to a , through :at a Path Homed to f table are ' upon the lite remifs y can get. lore large re of the elve Feet len yoked to draw them. The firft Time of their going to the Faftory, was the Sthi of December j from whence they brought two Cafks of Brandy for Chriftmas Cheer, which Seafon is ge- nerally celebrated in this Country by the Engltjh (fo ealily are the beft Inftitutions corrupted) by immoderate Drinking, and all the Fully and Madnefs that attend it. At this Time a general Council was held at Montague Houfe, where Captain Moor propofed to lengthen, raife, and d€ck our Long- Boat, for the Ule of the Difcovery j which, after fome Deliberation, was refolved upon by a Majority. It is very certain that no Meafure could be more fuitable to our Bufinefs than this ; for it would have been very danger- ous to make fo clofe a Search with the Ship, as was neceflhry, upon an unknown Coaft, with variable Weather, frequent thick Fogs, and ice in Bays, and Inlets amongft broken. Lands and Iflands, Rocks and Shoals, without any Knowledge of Harbours, Tides, Cunents, or the Direction of the Coaft ; whereas the Danger with a fmall Veflel is nothing in Com- parifon. For it is certain that with fuch, one may keep within a Mile of the Shore, go amongft Rocks, and pafs over Shoals where a VefTel of any Draught would ftrike. Befides, if fhe came a-ground, we could .et her off; or if flie was loft, the Ship was a fafe Retreat ; a Chance of faving one^s felf, in cafe of iuch Accidents, fupplied us with more Courage and Boldnefs than perhaps, other wife, we fhould have had. This material Affair being agreed on, the Boat was drawn to a fit Place, by the Side of the Creek, on a high Bank ftiel- tered by Trees ; there a Log- Tent was built over her, co- vered with Sails, with a Fire-place in the fniddle. This wa» judged requifite to be done, that the Carpenters might be able to work on her during the Winter, and lb have her compleat, and in a Condition fit for Service, when we fliould come to want her in the Spring. The Reader will perceive, that by thefe Difpofitions every Method was taken that Reafon could fuggeft, for making the Winter tolerable ; and I ftiall hereafter Ihew, that our Precautions were attended with as good Ef- fefts, as we could expeft from them; fo that there need not for the future be any Iuch dreadful Apprehenfions of expofing People to infupportable Hard/hips, in cafe of their being obliged to winter m thefe Parts, while employed upon this Difcovery. But in order to do this more effeftually, and that the Reader may form a better and clearer Notion both of what has beenfaid, and of what I ftiall be obliged farther to fay upon this Subjeft j it wiU be proper that I ftiould infert here i?fi r ■ ':i:jm t:i-upi« il' f$ .The Laft ExpediHoH m ' ' here as diftin6t an Account, as it is in my power to glvc> Cr this Country, and every Thing relating to it, which I ftiall do with: the utmoft Plainnefs, and the ftriibft Regaid to Fadts pojGiible. . It is true, that in order to give fuch a full and particular Defcription, I flxail be obliged to repeat many Things that have been aJready faid by others ; but this, I hope, will be thought no inexcufable Fault in me, becaufe il is abfolutely ne-» ceflTary to my Defign j and becaufe I do not repeat them ei* ther in the Words of thole Authors, or upon their Authority, but from my own ICnowledge. It will be alfo requifite for me to fay fomcwhat of the Conduft and Behaviour of our Countrj'men that refidc in thofe Parts ; and if in doing this, I fhould give any Offence, it may be depended upon that it does not proceed from any kind ot Prejudice, or perfonal Re- fentmentj but from that Regard to Truth, which it becomes a Man to have, who writes from no other Motive than the Information of the Publick. I muft farther beg leave to add> that as I am not inftigated by any kind of Rancour, fo I am as far from writing under the Du-efl:ion of any Sort of Influ- ence ; there being no kind of Intention in me to recommend rayfelf by what I deliver in this Narration to any Set of Men whatever, farther than may arife from the Sincerity of my Relation, and my fetting down freely and fairly thofe Ob» fervations that I had an Opportunity of making, by the Shart I had, and my Station, in this laft Expedition* To thefe the^ Publick feem to have a Right, as well from the inaportant Confequences with which the North Weft Palfage, whenever it is difcovered, ■s^ill be attended to the Nation in general 5 -as to thofe who are immediately concerned in making that JDifcovery, as from the great Attention that has been fhewn to this Undertaking, and the confiderable Reward thai the Legiflature has been plcafcd to offer to encourage it. When fuch Steps as thefe are taken by the great Council of the Na# tion, and when> out of Refpcd> to their Proceedings, all the publick Boards in this, Kingdom have given, whenever applied to; whatever Afliftance., Proteftion, or Indulgencies could be reafonably expeftedor defji-ed from them, it certainly lays every private Man under the fbongeft Obligation, where, by good Fortune, it lies any way in his Power, to contribute all he can to tlie facilitating fo great a Defign ; ard the Honour he has in promoting it> ought certainly to overballance any Concern or Apprehenfions he may be under, of difobliging fuch, as may poflibly have an Intereft in prevcntmg the Dif- covery the Dobbs and California. 7f give> ci* :h I fhall d to Fafts particulai' hings that ;, will be )lutely ne* t them ei* Authority, quifite for )ur of our doing this, )oii that it rfonal Re* it becomes e than the ive to add> fo I am as . of Influ- ecommelid my Set of incerity of ^ thofe Ob* the Shar? o thefe the^ iniportant whenever general; laking that sen fhewn that the When )f the Na* gs, all the ver applied :s could be ainly lays where, by itribute all le Honour llance any difobliging gthe Dif- covery covery of a North Weft Paflage, and who have nothmg but their private Intereft in that Reipe^, to plead in Excufe of the Methods taken to difcourage it. The Goafts of this Country, which arc now tolerably well known, extend from the Latitude of about 51® to 680 North, having Hudfori's-IJay to the Eafif Canada to the South ; but as for it's Boundaries to the IVe^ and North, they are as yet undifcovered. In die Southern Parts, and where we win- tered, the Soil is very fertile ; the Surface being a loofe dark Mould, under which are Layers of different coloured Clays, pale, yellow, 6^c. Nigh the Shores the Land is low and marfhy, covered with Trees of various Sorts, as Spruce, Larch, Poplar, Birch, Alder and Willow ; within Land there are large Plains, with little Herbage on them except Mofs, and interfperfcd with Tufts of Trees and fome Lakes, as alio fomc Hills or Iflands, as they are called, covered with Ihrubby Trees, and deep Mofs, the Soil of a turfy Nature. Theru are great variety of Shrubs and Plants, many of thofe that are known in Europe ; as the Goofebcrry, Currant, Graneberry, Shrubs bearing red and black Berries, which the Partridges feed Oii, therefore called Partridge Berries. The Plant, by the Indians called Wizzekapukka, ufed by them, and the Engli/h as a Medicine, in nervous and fcorbutick Dif- orders ; it's moft apparent and immediate Eifeft, is promoting Digeftion, and caufing a keen Appetite. To this Plant, the Surgeons refiding at theFaftories^ afcribe all the Qualities of Rhubarb; it is aftrong Aromatick, andtaftes pleafantly enough when drank as a Tea, which is the common Way of ufing it. Here alfo are to be met witli Strawberries, Angelica, Chick- week, Nettles, Buttcrflowers, wilti Auriculas, Savine, many of the Lapland Plants, and others that are unknown to us. By the Sides of L; kes and Rivers there is abundance of wild Rice, which, if cultivated, would make good Food. Long Grafs and good Meadow- Ground ; and at the Factories, are tolerable Gardens, efpecially at York- Forty Jlltanyy and Moofe. River, where moft kinds of Englijh Garden Stuff ^^row very well, fuch as Peafe, ileans, Cabbage, Turnips, \ many kinds of Sallads; but then the Country is much more fruitful farther within Land, than at thofe Places ; for there it is much "warmer in Summer, and the Frofts are far lefs ievere, as well as the W inter ftiorter ; fo that the Ground neither freezes fo deep, nor remains To long unihawed. u. : As to Minerals, there are unqueftionably abundance of dif- ferent Sorts here ; I have met with -Iron Ore mylelf, and have bcon credibly informed, that Lead Ore is to be found on n to Th Lad Expedition in on the Surface of the Earth in Plenty at Churchill \ not to mention a very rich Copper-Mine, from whence the Northern Indians frequently bring Pieces to Churchill, of which I have one by me ; there are likewife great variety of Talks, Spars, and Rock Ghryftals of different Colours, as red and white ; the former refembling Rubies, the latter of a larger Size, and very tranfparent, /hooting out in pentangula'.- Prifms. A Sub- ftance refembling Coal is alfo found in the Northern Parts, ^vhich bums ; the Asbeftus likewife or Stone Flax is common here ; and a Stone of a black fmooth and fhining Surface, that feparates eafily in thin tranfparent Leaves, refembling the MufcovyTsXky which the Natives ufe, as Looking-Glafles. It alfo abounds with diverfe Sorts of Marble, fome perfe6>ly white, and fome varioufly (peckled with red, green and blue Spots. Shells are feldom met with ; the only ones I faw were Limpids, Mufcles, and Periwincles ; tho* there are feveral others, but rarely to be feen ; for all kind of Shell -Fifh here chufe deep "Water, otherwife they would be froze in the Winter. The Air of this Country is never, oratleaft, h very fel- dom clear ; in the Spring and Fall of the Year there are heavy wet Fogs ; and in the Winter, the Air is full of an infinite Number of icy Spicula, that are vifible to the naked Eye, cfpecially if the Wind be Northerly or Eafterly, and the Froft fevere j the Reafon ofjt is this, wherever the Water is clear of Ice, ill the Winter, there arifes a very thick Vapour, com- monly called Froft Smoak ; this Vapour Freezing is driven by the Wind in the Form we fee it. All the Beginning of the Winter, Port Nel/on River was unfroze in the Stream ; this lying to the Northward of us, the Wind blowing from that Point, conftantly brought with it Showers of thefe icy Parti- cles, which difappeared when it was froze. Hence alfo frequent Mock Suns and Halos about the Moou and Sun, very luminous and beautifully tinged, with all the various Colours of the Rambow, are very common. Six of thefe Parhelia or Mock Suns, I have feen at one Time, which to us was very furprizing. The true Sun alfo rifes and fets there, with a large Cone of yellow Light, perpendicu- lar to it ; and no fooner does it difappear, than the Aurora Borealis fpreads a thoufand diiFereiit Lights and Colours over , the whole Concave of the Sky, with fo relpiciideot a Beauty, that even the Full-Moon does not efface their Lullre. But if the Moon does not fhine, thefe Lights are much more appa- rent ; for one may then read diftinftly by them, and the Sha- dows of Objects are feen upon the Snow, tending to the South hill; not to le Northtrn hich I have ilkS) Spars, and white ; :r Size, and s. A Sub- :hem Parts, is common lurface, that ambling the ing-Glafles. ne perfe6>ly :en and blue s I faw were are feveral ell-Fiih here iroze in the ii very fel- :re are heavy F an infinite naked Eye, ind the Froft 'ater is clear ipour, com- is driven by ining of the Jtream ; this from that e icy Paiti- about the tinged, with y common, t one Time, dfo rifes and perpendicu- the Aurora Colours over Qt a Beauty, ftre. But if more appa- md the Sha- ding to the South the Dobbs and California. Si S')uth Eaji ; as the Light /hines brighteft in the oppofite Quar- ter, where it rifes, and whence the Rays thereof arc propa- gated over the whole Face of tiie Sky, with a waving kind of Alotion. The Stars fecm in this Country to burn with a fiery Rcdnefs, efpecially thofe near the Horizon, which ftrongly refemble a Fire, or a Ship's Light at a Diftance. Thunder and Lightning, as has been obferved, are not very common in Snmmer, tho' that Seafon for about fix Weeks or two Months is very warm, but when it does hap- pen it is terrible enough ; I have feen for a good Space toge- ther, the Branches and Bark burnt off the Trees, and was mformed it was by Lightning. The Trees in this Country are very eafily fet on fire, therefore I was the more ready to believe it; the under Side of the Branches of the Spruce and Larch are covered with a black and white hairy Mofs, which kindles like dry Flax, nmning from Tree to Tree, with in- finite Celerity, according to the Direction of the Wind, till all the Wood that lies round is in a Blaze ; this dries the Tim- ber, fo that it makes excellent Fire-wood, and indeed much Occafion there is for it, for the Winters are cold enough, to require all that can be had. We ufed to put a Horfe Load of Wood, at leaft, at a Time into our Stove, which was built of Brick, fix Feet long, two wide, and three high ; when the Wood was near burnt, the Embers were beat off, the Brands thrown out, and the Top of the Chimney flopped, which occafioned a fulphurous, fuf- focating Smell, and fo great a Heat, that notwithftanding the Rigour of the Climate, we frequently fweat. The Diiference is fo extreme between the Heat within and Cold without, that People who have been expofed to the Severity of the Seafon without Doors, very often faint on entering the Houfe, and remain for fome Time in a kind of lifelefs Condition. If a Door or Window was but opened, the cold Air mftied in with great Fury, and turned the inclofed Vapours into fmall Snow ; tior was all the Heat we could raife fufficient to keep our Win- dows, the Cieling, or Sides of the Houfe clear from Snow and Ice ; thofe, whofe Bedcloaths touched the Walls, were generally froze faft to them by Morning, and our Breaths fet- tled in a white hoar Froft upon the Blankets. All thefe Accidents followed foon after the Fire went out, as the Houfe tooled, then the Sap that was thawed in the Timber with the Heat, froze, fplitting it with Cracks, little Inferior in Noife to the Report of a Mufquet. No Liquid can withilandthe Coldif expofed to it, flrong Brine, Brandy, and even Spirits of Wine freeze ; but the latter not into a folid - ,. G Mafs, t'!i M %■ II 82 the Lajl Expedition in' Mafs, but to the Confiftencc of Oil ; when the Weather h between temperate and freezing. All the Liquors under the Proof of common Spirits, freeze to a State pcrfedlly folid, and burft the VcfTels that contain them, whether of Wood, Tin, or even Copper. The Ice in the Rivers about us, was above eight Feet thick, and the Snow three deep, but where it drifted much more. Whatever frefti Provifions we could procure, as Deers-Flefti, Rabbits, Partridges, Pheafants, Fifli, circ. we kept fwect as long as we pleaied, without deriving any AfTirtance from Salt, for they arc inftantly froze as they are killed, and remain fo from O^ober till yV/tr/V, when they begin to thaw, and confequently grow moid and fpoil. The Rabbits, Hares and Partridges change their Colour from the common Brown and Grey, in Summer, to White, in Winter ; fome arc of Opinion they lofe their Feathers and Hairs with the Colour, but the contrary is evident to all, who have taken any Pains to fatisfy themfelves in this Refpcil, at lead I can fay fo much for myfelf ; for in the Beginning of Winter, I have obferved the Tops only of the Hair of the Rabbits to be white, while the Roots that were lefs expofed to the Cold, have been grey; whereas if they had changed their Hair, the very revcrfe would have appeared at that Seafon . Being now entered on this Subjeft, of the ftrange EfFefts of Cold, let us fpeak of it in regard to Human Bodies. Se- veral of our People had their Faces, Ears, and Toes froze, but not dangeroufly. Whilfl: the Flelh is in that State, it is white and hard like Ice, but by rubbing with a warm Hand, or fooner with a Beaver Mitten, it is thawed, and this Acci- dent is attended with no worfe Confequence than leaving a Blifter behind ; but if the Part is froze deep, and continues fo long, it mortifies. We find extreme Cold has the fame Ef- fect in this Cafe, as extreme Heat ; and the fame Applications cure a Part froze, that would do fo had it bepn burnt. It is very troublefome, when a Perfon happens to have any Part of his Body froze in the Beginning of the Winter, for the Place grows very tender thereupon, and is much more apt to be froze again, than any other Part. I N our outward bound Paflage, a Thermometer we carried with us from England, was broke, which proved a great Lofs, as a Series of Obfcrvations, made by the Help of that Inftru- ment, would have afcertained the Degrees of Cold, and have been much more fatisfaftory, than any Relation of it's EfFefts poffibly can be. But where this Certainty is wanting, any Approaches to it are to be confidered as the moft requifite Sup- plements ; and will be great Helps to the Enquiries and Con- jeihircs the Dobbs and California. Weather h rs under the rfeaiy folid, r of Wood, bout us, 'was p, but where ons we could eafants, Fifli, hout deriving froze as they /, when they (poll. their Colour :r, to White, • Feathers and nt to all, who is Refpc^l, at Beginning of e Hair of the :fs expofed to changed their hat Seafon. hrange Effefts Bodies. Se- d Toes froze, at State, it is , warm Hand, and this Acci- lan leaving a id continues fo i the fame Ef- ,e Applications n burnt. It is ve any Part of for the Place lore apt to be iter we carried da great Lofs, of that Inftru- lold, and have iofit'sEffe6h wanting, any : requifite Sup- liries and Con- jedbires 8« jtftiires of the Ingenious. It is not at all to be wondered, that Captain Midaletmh Men (iirtcrcd very great Extremities and Inconvcnicncies from the Cold, when he wintered at Churchill, in the Year 1741, confidcring his Situation, which Was upon a fmall bleak Ifthmus, furrounded with a vaft Ex- lent of ice ; bcfides his People wore no other Clothes than what they commonly wore in other Voyages ; whereas had they been furnilhed with large Beaver Coats, and had built Lodges in the Woods, they would have fuffered very little in Comparifon to what they did -. Since, as to any Diftrefles our People underwent, they were occafioned for Want of proper Food, and an inexcufable Indilcretion in the Ufe of fpirituous Liquors, rather than from the Intcnfc lefs of the Cold ; and yet, as has been (hewn, we were far encugh from being exempted from the ufual Severities of the Hudfon*s-Day Climate. Nature furniihes every Animal here with extraordinary Furs to refill the \uold, that gradually fall off' as the warm Weather returns ; and which is fomewhat extraordinary ; fo it happens with Dogs and Cats brought thither from Europe. As in all the Parts of the Bodies of Animals, which are fur- iheft from the Heart, fuch as Feet, Claws, and Tails, the Blood is colder, and Circulation flower, it happens from thence, that thofe Extremities are very apt to freeze. But it is very well worthy Notice, that few of the Animals of this Country have long Tails or Legs ; for Inftance, the Bears, Rabbits, Hares, American Cats, Porcupines, 6c. have all ftiort ones ; and thofe that have long Tails, as the Fox, r my Readers >r table in the . But in faft eather is cold the them, and bme Meafurc, milder Clime, more exti'aor- who have lived ces, and when 3, they grow Climate, and that may give .egions. The opper Colour, le Colour, but a chearful Dif- lonefl: in their Moofe, and pent chiefly in cir Habitations, :ce. gcther, for the :ult to provide, they have no are influenced )irpofition, that Injultice one to the Dobbs fl»^California. 85 to another, as efFefhially as the moft rigid Laws could. The Chiefs in every Family or Tribe, who generally fpeaking are chofen from amongft the moft antient of the People, but chiefly for their Skill in Hunting and Experience in Trade, Domeftick Affairs, or Valour in War, which they often wage with the Eskimaux; direft thofe who rr^ lewith them In their different Employments of Hunting, 1 -wling, Fifhing, 6c, yet their Advice is followed rather through Deference than Obligation, for in Point of Exemption from Power, they may be truly called a free People. They have no Dependance upon the Fruits of the Earth for their Subfiftance, living entirely on the Animals they take in Hunting or Trapping, at which they are very dextrous. They make prodigious Slaughter every Seafon among the Deer from an unaccountable Notion that the more they de- ftroy, the greater Plenty will fucceed; therefore fometipies they leave three or four hundred dead on the Plain, taking out of them only their Tongues, and leaving their Carcafl^es either to rot, or be devoured by the wild Beafts. At other Times they attack them in the Water, and kill prodigious Numbers, which they bring down on Floats to the Faftorie? , Thefe Creatures crofs a vaft Extent of Country, from South to North, in die Spring of the Year, in order to bring forth their Young in Places of Safety; that is, in the more Nor- therly Parts, which are either entirely uninhabited, or at leaft but very thinly planted. I N their route thither, they are extremely tormented with large Gnats and Muflcettoes, with which ' this Country, du- ring the little Summer it enjoys, is greatly infefted. This caufes the Deer to take to the Rivers and Lakes for Shelter, and gives the Indians a greater Opportunity of killing them. It would be very hard to account whence fuch infinite Numbers of thefe Infe(Sts fhould come fo fuddenly as they do, or how they are propagated, did not Experience flicw, that they frr- vive the Winter, or ratlier remain in a kind of lifelefs State, from which the return of the warm Seafon recovers them. I will mention a very plain Inflancc, in order to fhewthe Truth of this. A certain Perfon in the Winter-Time, crofTmg a fmall Creek, upon a Tree that lay over it, happened to flip his Foot on one Side, by which he broke from the Tree a black Lump, that on Examination he found to be nothing elle but a vaft Mafsof Muflcettoes, froze together, this he brought to a Fire, which thawing the vital Juices in thefe Infers, they prefently began to move. After that, carrying them out into the freez- ing Air, they as quickly rcfumed their former fenfclefs State, G 3 and ■ ''»!' IN J ' %mk Ill 86, The Laft Expedition in ■ and no Methods could afterwards reftore them to Life. Without all doubt many other Animals that difappear in the Winter are reduced to the fame numbed and inaftive Condition. I fhall llrengthen this by juft mentioning a Faft, that is very well known to the Engpjh, who refide in the Northern Settlements of America^ which is, that by the Sides of Lakes, in Banks or Holes, at the Roots of Trees, are often found in the Win- ter, Frogs that are froze in fuch a Manner, that their Flelh has been as hard as common Ice, yet thcfe Frogs being thawed by a gentle Heat, recover Life fo as to be able to crawl about, but fuddenly freezing them again, they became irrecoverable, in the fame manner, as is before reported of the Muikettoes. The Indians live not only on the Flefh of Animals they kill jn hunting, but on that alfo of Birds of Paflage ; fuch as Swans, Wild Geefe, Ducks, Plover, and many other of that Kind that go to the Northward in the Spring to breed, and return to the Southward in Autumn, and others alfo, fuch as Eagles, Crows, Owls, HawHs and Gulls, likewife upon Partridges and Pheafants, which flay in the Winter. Their Flefh in general they boil and eat by itfelf, and then urink the Water it yas bailed in, which they efteem very wholfome. In like manner th?y drefs their Fifh, of which they have fome Va- riety, and very good; up tlie Rivers and Lakes, they have Jarge Sturgeon, Carp, Trout, Pike, and two very delicious Kinds of Fifh ; the one called by the French y White Fifti, but by the Indians and Engli/h, Titymagg ; the other refem- bling an Eel, but fpo^ted with yellow and white, called by the Natives Muthoy. Thefe are reckoned fatteft in the Win- ter-Time, when they are caught by making Holes in the Ice ; where, on letting down a baited Hook, the Fifli greedi- ly take it, At the Mouths of the Rivers, efpecially thofe more to the North, are Plenty of fine Salmon , Trout, and another which is a tolerable good Fifh refembling a Carp, called a Sucker, and there alfo comes in with the Flood Tide, great Num- bers of white Whales, which might eafily be taken, and large Profits made of their Oil. Seals too frequent thefe Coafls, but in no great Numbers, except as far North, as Lat, 66°. The Clothing of the Mcii here in Summer, is a loofe Coat, made of Blanket, which they buy either from the French or Engl';Jh fettled in their Neighbourhood; a pair of Leather Stockings, which come fo high, as to ferve for Bree- ches; they make Shoes alfo of the fame Materials, The . Womens Clothes differ from the Mens only in this, they gCr neraily w?ar a P^ttjcoat^ th^t conies a little lower than their ICneeS;, pits, the Dobbs and California. 87 fe. Without e Winter are ion. I fhall is very well I Settlements es, in Banks i in the Win- at their Flefti being thawed crawl about, r recoverable, ; Muflcettoes. imals they kill ich as Swans, of that Kind 1, and return ich as Eagles, on Partridges heir Flefti in nk the Water )me, In like avc fome Va- cs, they have very delicious White Fifti, I other refem- lite, called by ft in the Win- Holes in the le Fifli greedi- "e more to the lother which is led a Sucker, great Num- ten, and large : thefe Coafts, as Lat, 66''. :r, is a loofe her from the od ; a pair of brve for Bree- terials. The this, theyge-r wer than their lOices, Knees, in the Winter. Their ordinary Apparel is of the Skin of the Deer, Otter or Beaver, with the Hau* or Fur on; the Sleeves of their upper Habit, are frequently fepa- rate from the Body, and taken on and off at Pleafure, be- ing only tied with Strings at the Shoulders ; fo that their Arm- pits, even in the depth of Winter, are expofed to the Cold, which they reckon contributes to their Health. It muft be owned their difeafes are but fev/, and thofe chiefly arifing from Golds, taken after drinking Spirituous Liquors, which they buy from the Englijhy contrary to the wifer Maxims of the French, who fell them none. The French efteem the drinking thefe Liquors, not only prejudicial to the Confti-. tutions of the Natives, but alfo to their Trade : for as that depends upon the Hardinefs, Dexterity and Succefs in Hunt- ing, it muft neccITarily decline, as thefe Qualities are impair- ed. This is obvious alfo, in Point of Faft, amongft thofe Indians f who have any Intercourfe with the Englijh. The in- land Indians will not drink Brandy, from an Opinion of it^s bad EfFedts; thefe are a healthy, tall, aftive and robuft People, who bring down as many Furs as the Conveniency of the Carriage will allow, and leave many more behind. Whereas thofe /«- diansy who are addicted to Drunkennefs, fuch as the Home Indians, or thofe who live in Places contiguous to the HudJon*s- Bay Company's Settlements, are a meagre, fmall, and indolent Kind of People, hardly equal to the Hardftiips of the Coun- try, and fubjedl to many Diforders. Befides, there is no Comparifon in the Number of Furs that the one and the other bring into Trade; fo that thefe latter are rendered much more unprofitable and ufelefs, than they would have been, if they had never known the Ufe of this pernicious Liquor. They are pretty much fubjeft to fome Diforders in the Breaft, but to no contagious Difeafes : Whenever they find themfelves begin to be indifpofed, they drink an Infufi- on of the Herb called JVizzekapukka, the Broth of Fifti, which they call Shaggamitie, or elfe fweat themfelves. Their Manner of doing this, is as follows; they get a large round Stone, on which they make a Fire, and keep it burning till the Stone becomes red-hot; over this they make a fmall Tent covered clofe on all Sides, then go into it naked, with a Vef- fel full of Water; this they fprinkle on the Stone, which fills the little Tent with a copious Supply of moift warm Va» pours, that very foon produce a ftrong Pcrfpiration in the Pa* tient. WUen the Stone grows cool, the Pores of the Skia G 4 being i^ m I. r;.i\: 88 The Laft Expedition in being ftill open, they come out of the Tent, and inftantly plunge themfelves into the Water, or in Winter, M'hen Wa- ter is not to be had, they roll themfelves in the Snow, and this they look upon as a Cure for mod of the Maladies com- mon in that Country. A ftrange and fingular Remedy they alfo have for the Gholick, and all Diforders of the Bowels, that is to fwallow a great Quantity of Tobacco Smoke, by •which they pofitively affirm they obtain great and fpeedy Re- lief. If their Heads are at any Time ftuiFed or incommoded, they force the fame Smoke out of their Noftrils. They fre- quently become Snow-blind, in the Spring of the Year, at which Time I have been informed, a Film grows over the Pupil of the Eye, which I was likcwife told ihefe People are fo ingenious as to cut away with the fharp Point of a Gun- ^i;nt. They very often in their drunken Fits commit exceflive Diforders, fuch as quarrelling, burning their Tents and abufing their Wives, and then perhaps go to Sleep by the Fire, ■where frequently thej' are terribly burnt, or if they are at any ^iftance from it, asmiferably froze, if it be in Winter- Time. When they are fober they are very courteous, and compafTi- onate, and that as well to tWbfe who are abfolute Stran- gers, as their own Family ; and their Affection for their Chil- dren is Angularly great. An extraordinary Inftance of this happened lately at York- Fort : Two fmall Canoes, paffing Hayeses River, when they had got to the middle of it, one of them, which was made of the Bark of a Birch Tree, funk, in which was an Indian y his Wife and Child : The other Canoe being fmall, and incapable of receiving more than one of the Parents, and the Child, produced a very ex- traordina.y Conteft between the Man and his Wife, not but that both of them were willing to devote themfelves to fave the other, but the Difficulty lay in determining which would be the greateft Lofs to the Child. The Man ufed many Arguments to prove it more reafonable, that he fhould be drowned than the Woman. But fhe alledged on the contrary, it was more for the x4.dvantage of the Child, that fhe fhould perifh, be- caufe he, as a Man, was better able to hunt ; and, confe- quently, to provide for it. The little Time there was flili remaining, was fpent in mutual Expreffions of Tendernefs, the Woman flrongly recommending, as for the lafl Time, to her Hufband, the Care of her Child. This being done, they took leave in the W ater ; the Women quitting the Canoe was drowned, and the Man with the Child got fafe a-fliore, aiid is now takc^i much Notice of by the People tliereabouts. * ■ Unon the Dobbs and California. 89 d inftantly when Wa- inow, and adies com- medy they le Bowels, Imoke, by fpeedy Re- ;ommoded. They fre- he Year, at ^s over the People are : of a Gun- lit excellivc and abufing J the Fire, y are at any inter- Time, d compalTi- )lute Stran- r their Chil- nce of this DCS, palTing of it, one 3irch Tree, :hild: The iving more a very ex- ife, not but s to fave the ivould be the Arguments owned than t -was more perifh, be- and, conie- ere was ft ill Tendcrncfs , ilTime, to j done, they the Canoe afe a-fliorc>, thereabouts. Unon Upon the -whole it appears, that the fingle Obje(?^ in View, ■was the Prefervation of their Child ; for tho' the Man offered to facrifice himfelf, it may be very well fuppofed it was more for the Sake of the Child than of the Woman ; becaufe on other Occafions they behave with no great Rcfpcft to the Sex. It is looked upon as a great Offence, for the Women to ftride over the Legs of the Men when they fit on the Ground, and they even think it beneath them to drink out of the fame Veflel with their Wives. One Cuftom they have, which is very extraordinary; that \yhen their Parents grow fo old, as to be incapable to fupport themfclves by their own Labour, they require their Children to ftrangle them, and this is cf- fteemed an A61 of Obedience in their Children to perform. The Manner of difcharging this laft Duty, is thus, the Grave of the old Perfon being dug, he goes into it, and after having converfed and fmoaked a Pipe, or perhaps drank a Dram or two with his Children, the, old Perfon fignifies he is ready ; upon which two of the Children put a Thong about his Neck, one ftanding on one Side, and the other oppofite to him, pull violently till he is Wangled, then coscr him with Earth, and over that they eredl a kind of rough Monument of Stones. As for fuch old Perfons as have no Children, they requeft this Office from their Friends, tho' in this laftCafe, it is not always complied with. An Indian in travelling confiders the Meeting aGr^ve as an Omen of fome approaching Misfortune ; in order to avert which, he lays a Stone upon the Grave and fo proceeds on his Journey. There are many amongft them, elpecially thofe inhabiting upon the Banks of the great inland Lakes, who profefs Quacking, with Stuff* they buy from the Englijh ; fuch as Sugar, Ginger, Barley, AUfpice, Garden- Seeds, Spanifh- Liquorifti; Snuff*, c^c. all which are taken in fmall Qiiahtities, either as Remedies for Difeafes, or to make them excel in Hunting, Fowling, Fiftiing, Fighting, cic. which are Qi^a- lities afcribed to thefe Trifles by the EngUJh in Hvdptn^s-Bayy and with fuch Commodities, one third of our Trade is carried on amongft thofe Quacks, who pradi^fe for Funs, which they receive from, or rather out of which they deceive, tho common People. This is a great, but very beneficia] Impolirivin, tho' cer- tainly it would bemuchmore forthc Advantaf^c oi Great -Britain, to promote the Sale of their Woollen and iron ^lanurac^ure, than to permit fuch a kind of Traffick, which bcfldc; bring fcandalous in it's Nature, is equally prejudicial in its Gonfc- quences to us and to the Natives. If % go The Lafl Expedition in > It may be cxpefted that I ftiould fay fomething of the re- ligious Sentiments of thefe People; and to fatisfy this Ex- peftation, I (hall acquaint the Publick with all I know, with- out adding any Thing from Conjcftures. It is very certain, that their Notions upon this Subjeft are very limited and im- perfeft. They acknowledge a Being of infinite Goodnefs, ■whom they ftile Ukkeiumaf which in their Language fignifies the great Chief; they look upon him as the Author of all the Benefits they enjoy, and fpeak of him with Reverence. They likewife fing a kind of Hymns in his Praife, and this in a grave folenm Tone, not altogether difagreeable. Yet their Sentiments on this Head are very loofe and confufcd, fo that 5t is noi eafy to fay what they mean by this kind of publick Worfliip. They likewife r^cknowlcdge another Being, vhom they call IVittikkUf whom they reprefcnt as the Inftrument of all kinds of Mifchief and Evil ; and of him they are very much afraid ; but however we know of no Methods made ufe of by them to appeafe him. The Condition of thefe poor People is melancholy enough, tho' it does not make fuch an Impreffion on them as one would cxpeft; foi tho* the beft Part of their Life is fpent in procur- ing Neceffities for the Subfiftance of themfelves and of their Families; yet they have no great Notion of Frugality, or pro - vidmg againft thofe Diftreifes, to whicii they are fure to be cxpofed every Winter, are free of their Provifions, when they have Plenty, and except drying a little Venifon and Firii, take no Care for Supplies, in a Time of Dearth. It has ibmetimes happened that the Indians y who come in the Summer to trade at the Faftories, miffing of the Succours they expected, have been obliged to finge off the Hair from thoufands of Beaver Skins, in order to feed upon the Lea- ther, Yet in fuch Cafes, they keep up their Spirits in a to- lerable Degree, omit nothing that is in their power to pro- cure wherewithal to fupport their Families, and when re- duced to the greateft Extremities, undergo them with a kind of habitual and fteady Patience, which it is much eafier to ad- mire than imitate. But the greateft of thefe Hardships and Fatigues, to which they are expofed, as well from Hunger as from Cold, hap- pens to them in their Journeys, for it is^a Thing common with them, to travel two or three hundred Miles, even in the depth of Winter, thro' a wide open Country, without meet- ing with any Houfe to receive, or carrying any Tent to pro- teft them. In fuch Journeys, it is their Cuftom, when Night approaches, to raife a little kind of Fenc^ with Brufti- ^ Wood, Wood, t( clearing a^ and fleep times fall Plain, wh they are tl proves fo Writings praftifed not at all Grka' gour of much infe Provifions A Story true, will Reader a. People ai down to the Misfo fo that, ir dren, wei ces, they Life as lo wore; bu then, wl thefe poo] Flelh of t^ ry, the d told this n alFefting Laugh. In his bro his Way 3 rals. The : tural in tl jior alto; thofe ar of expre compour they woi the Engl (peaking fo incline the Dobbs and California. 91 Wood, to the Leeward of which they make a Fire, and after clearing avay the Snow, they lie down upon the Ground, and fleep b: tween the Fire and the Fence. But if, as it fome- times falls out, they happen to be benighted tpon fome wild Plain, where no fuch Fence can be made for want of Wood, they are then forced to lie down under the Snow, which proves fopie Defence from the Cold ; and this, as from the Writings of modem Authors appears, is a Thing like wife praftifed in the Extremities o( Siberia, where the Climate is not at all more temperate. Grkat as thefe Hardfhips are, which refult frohr* the Ri- gour of the Gold 5 yet it may be juftly affirmed, that they are much inferior to thofe, which they feel from the Scarcity of Provifions, and the Difficulty they are under in procuring them. A Story which is related at the Factories, and known to be true, will fufficiently prove this, and give the compaffionate Reader a juft Ide.: of the Mjferies, to which thefe unhappy People are expofed. An Indian^ with his Family, coming down to Trade, from a Place at a very great Diftance, had the Misfortune to meet but with very little Game by the Way ; fo that, m a fliort Time, himfelf, his Wife, and his Child- dren, were reduced to the laft Diftrefs, In thefe Circumftan- ces, they plucked the Fur from their Clothes, and preferved Life as long as they were able, by feeding on the Skins they wore ; but even this wretched Refource foon failed them ; and then, what is terrible to conceive, and horrible to relate, thefe poor Creatures fuftained themfdvcs, by feeding on the Flefti of two of their Children, On their Arrival at the Fafto^ ry, the di{h'a(n:ed Indian , whofe Heart overflowed with Grief, told this melancholy Affair to theEngli/h Governor, with all it's gffefting Gircumftances, which was received with a loud Laugh. The poor Savage, with a Look of Amazement, faid in his broken Englijhy This is no Laughing Talk f and fo \vent his Way, highly edified, no Doubt^ with thefe Chrijiian Mo- rals. The Language which thefe People fpeak is fomewhat gutf tural in the Pronunciation ; but for all that, neither very harfh, jior altogether unpleafant; they have but few Words, but thofe are very lignificant; and the Method they have of exprefling nqw Ideas, by Words compofed, from compounding the Qualities of thofe Things, to which they would give Names, is very eafy and intelligible ; fo that the Englijfh find no Sort of Difficulty, either in learning or foeaking it. There is no doubt, therefore, that if they were- fo inclined^ they might eafily teach thefe poor People the Ufe of fl lie I •1 f i ,!■ i. . IP W ' ^1 Tbg Ldii Expedition in of Letters, the Principles of Morality, and the Do^rines of Religion ; which would be equally charitable and generous j for if they were To inftiufted, they might not only live much better thcmfclves, but their Trade alfo would turn to much greater Account; and it would infallibly imprint on their Minds, a very high Reverence, and a very tender Affection for the Britifh Nation. As I have fo fair an Occafion, I cannot avoid mentioning a veryftrangc Maxim of Policy, which prevails much amonglt them; ancj which is, tlmt of fuffcring, or rather obliging their Women to procure frec|uent Abortions, by the Ufe of a cer- tain Herb common in that Country, and not unknown here j that they may in fome Meafiire be eafed of that heavy Burthen they feel, in providing for a helplefs Family. Something of this fort the Dutch inform us wus praftifed by the Natives of the Ifland of Formnfa, when they were Mailers of it ; nor is this at all more barbarous, than a Cuftom (lill ufed in China j offufFering Children when born, to die for Want of Food, from the famq Principle of brutal Oeconomy. They differ alfo from aljnoft all other Nations in another Particular, which is their manner of making Urine ; for here the Men always fquat down, and the Women ftand upright. It is now high Time to return to our own Affairs, and to inform the Rea- der, how they were conduced, in fuch a Country as I have del'cribed this to be, and in which, notwjtj ftanding all our Pre-. cautions we felt many Inconveniencles. The bringing two Gafks of Brandy from York- Fort, for Chn/^mas -Cheer, has been already mentioned; as well as the Delign of it, which was to make merry with ; but the Con- fequences were extremely fatal. The People had been henl- thy enough, before this Seafon of Mirth came ; but indulg- ing themfclvcs too freely, they were foon invaded by the fcur- vy, the confVant Attendant on the Ufe of Spiiltuous Liquors. . It is a melancholy, but withal a necefTary Talk, to defcribe the Progrefs of this foul and fatal Diflemper. Our Men when firft feized with it, began to droop, to grow heavy, liftlcfs, and at length indolent to the laft Degree : A Tight- ncfs in the Chert, Pains in the Breaft, and a great Diffirv.Ity in breathing, followed ; then enfued livid Spots upoi: the Thighs, fwellcd Legs, Contraction of the Limbs, putri<4 Gums, Teeth loofc, a Coagulation of the Blood upon and near the Back Bone, with Countenances bloated and fallow. Thefe Symptoms continually increafing, 'till at length. Death carried them off, either by a Flux or a Dropfy. Thofe Me- dicines, which m other Countries are generall" ufed with prood •Effeas, Effcfts, p Foment'.ti no Relief did fomev cine, was u:any, ev before obi were tried this faluta Taosi all, expol the confta fame, or plentiful d of Church, good a St dred, fevc fo much as able, that ^ne, for .r« When Condition Tork-Fort hoped, th as they di the Indian for they v Interpofiti nuation, t vented tha certainly i charged n and this c contagiou itfelftotl equally E by thefe Dwelling lefs, in C is not eai Want; f both coul judice to terelted 1 trading bi :fcribe the Dobbs and California. 93 Effcfts, proved entirely ineffeftual her-.^ ; for Unftions and Foment r.tions, when applied to contrad^ed Limbs, alibrded no Relief; frefh Provifions indeed, when we could get them, did fomewhat ; but the only powerful and prevailing Medi- cine, was Tar-Water ; and the ftcady Ufe of this, faveJ i.:any, even after JiJ Difeafe was fir advanced : when, as I before obferved, all other Medicines loft their Efficacy, and were tried to no Puipofc ; and yet, as far as we could obferve, this falutary Drink operated no other Way than by Urine. Those £w^/(/Z> that refide here :onftantly, are little, if at all, expofed to this cruel Diftemp^ ; which they attribute to the conftant Ufe of Spruce Beer ; a Liquor that has thtt fame, or perhaps, higher Qi4alities, than Tar-U^ater; and by plentiful drinking of which, the People at the four Factories ot Churchill, York- Fort, Jlbany, m^ Morje- River, enjoy fo good a State of Health ; that tho' in Number about an Hun- dred, feven Years have fometimes paft without their burying fomuch as a Man; which is a Circumftance, fo very remark- able, that I perfuade myfelf, none of my Readers will blame me, for recording it. When the Crews of both VefTels were in this deplorable Condition, no SoUicitations were fpared to the Governor of Tork-Fort for Relief ; and there was the more Reafon to ha\'e hoped, thefe Applications would not have proved fo fruitlefs as they did ; confidcring that all we afked, was only to allow the Indiansy to fupply us with frefli Provifions. I lay allow ; for they would willingly have done it, had there not been an Interpofition of ill Offices to pre\ ent it. It is a ftrange Infi- nuation, that Cruelty of Chriltians toward Chriftians, pre- vented that Relief which Indian Humanity would otherwife have certainly afforded. But what fhall I fay? The Indians -weiQ charged not to come near us, or to fumifti us with any thing/ and this out of a tender Regard for them ; becaufe, we had a contagious Diftemper amongft us, which might communicate itfelf to them, and to their Families; and befidcs, we were equally Enemies to them, an ' to the Englijh. Intimidated • by thefe Infinuations, the Indians would not approach cur Dwellings; but why fuch Infinuations were thrown cut, un- lefs, in Obedience to Orders the Governor durft not difobey, is not eafy to difcover. It could not be from any Fear of Want J for with Venifon, Partridge, Fifh, 6c. the Indians both could and would have fupplied us in Plenty, without Pre- judice to the Faftories. Neither could it be from any felf-in- terelted Motives, with Regard to Trade ; for thefe were not trading but hom$/«e ; but when the (:;)rpres were once fairly laid in it, they remain- ed liife and uncorrupi; and are fo like to remain, unlcfs fome great Alteration happens in that Climate, to the World's- End, 5 • On the l^th, the Weather began to mend, and the Wind coming about to the South, we had a fine gentle Shower of Rain, a Thing we had not feen for fix Months paft, and there- fore the more welcome^ The Fowls too, after an Abfence of feven Months, began to vilit us : I mean fuch as are pro- per to this Country ; and with them came Abundance of Wild- Fowl, of allthofe Sorts that arc common in any of the Nor- thern Parts of Europe ; fuch as Geefe, Ducks, •6c. We had likcwife a great Flight of fmall Birds, moflly of a dark un- pleallng Colour ; but the Sweetnefs of their Notes fufficiently compenfued whatever was amifs in their Plumage, and made their Company equally harmonious and agreeable. We had after this a fhort Return of Winter j attended by bleak Winds, hard Frofts, much Snow, with very llormy and tempcftous Weather, which lafted to about the 6th of May ; tlicn the warm Weather returned again, and the Creek, where the Ships lay, was quite clear of Ice, that wore away imper- ceptibly > tho' the River continued to be ftill hard froze, which drove the Fiih into the Creek, where we caught Plenty of them with our Nets. The Resolution (for that was the Name we bcrtowed upon our Long-Boat, when lengthened) was now compleatly finiflied, fo that we launched her on the loth to the great Joy of all who wiflied well to the Difcovery, and who formed to thcmfelves vaft Hopes of what, by the Help of this VelTel, might be performed. From the 8th to the 1 6th, we had changeable Weather, attended with keen Froft Snow, Sleet, Hail, and Rain, which froze as it fell, in luch a manner, that all the Trees weie covered with Ice. On the 1 6th, the Ice in the Channel oi Hayesh River, gave Way, and floated down gently with the Stream. Our People were all this Time conftantly employed in making the Ships fit to go down the River; and accordingly, on the 29th, by the Help of a very high Tide, occafioned by a North Weft Wind, we warped to the very Mouth of the Creek, where we otround- ed, and lay there until the 2d of June^ and it was with no fmall Labour, joined to the extraordinary good Fortune of higher Tides than ufual, that we got ofFfo foon* On the 2d and 3d of that Month, we had fome Snow, and the the Weath( Winter taki continued p diansy lader Fortf and t manner : T! and were b< Staple Cone River, as fi Stores, Pn cute the Dii Before think it will tlement, ol Commerce) this I am tl I have to ol as carrying lid Advanta that of con tures, in a done; andi Paflage ; fc of the Nati( employed i Goods. YORK-F fan River, it's Fall int< in the Lonj London^ wl carefully ot the Truth, four fmall I fent either fmall Patte is pallifado* River, a fn Defence o] of People V abouts. Ii that how fc it is utterly be attacked About the Dobbs and California.' 97 the Weather was (harp and cold, which might be called the . Winter taking it's Leave; for thence forward, the Weather continued pretty warm. On the 5th, nineteen Canoes of In- diansy laden with Furs, paded by us, in their Way to Tork-, Forty and the next Day fevcnty more, palfed us in the like manner : Thefe People came from the Countries, within Land; and were bound to our Factories, in order to difpofe of their Staple Commodities. On the 9th, our Ships got down the River, as far as the Factory, where we took m our navai Stores, Provilions, ^^c, in Order to put to Sea, and profc-. cute the Difcovery, upon which we were fent. Be Fo R B I enter upon what happened in this Expedition, I think it will be proper for me to give fome Account of this Set- tlement, of the adjacent Country, and of the Nature of that Commerce, for the promoting which it was eHabli/hed : And this I am the more willing to do, becaufe I prefume that what I have to offer, will be very acceptable to all Sorts of Readers, as carrying at once the Charms of Novelty, and the more fo- lld Advantage of being capable of ihe mod important XJk ; that of contributing to the Export of our national Manufac- tures, in a Degree much fuperior to what has been hitherto done ; and this even previous to the Difcovery of a North Weft FafTage ; fo that it may be immediately turned to the Benefit of the Nation, and to the Support of the Poor, who are chiefly employed in fabricating the coarfeft Sorts of our Woollen Goods. York -Fo r t is feated on the Southern Branch of Port Net- fan River, which is called Hayes\ River within five Miles of it's Fall into the Sea, in the Latitude of 57 «*. 20' North, and in the Longitude of 93**. 58 ^ Weft from the Meridian of London, which I determined by an Eclipfe of the Moon, very carefully obferved there, February 14, 1747. It is, tofpcak the Truth, nothing more than a fquare Houfe, flanked with four fmall Baftions, all of them covered and converted at pre- fent either into lodging or Store Rooms. There are three fmall Pattereroes placed on each of the Curtains, the whole is pallifadoed, a Battery of pretty large Guns commands the River, a fmall Breaft Work of Turf is thrown up by Way of Defence of that Battery, and in Time of War, the Number of People who refide there, amounts to thirty-three or there- abouts. It will be eafily conceived from this Defcription, that how formidable foever York-Fort may appear to Savages, it is utterly incapable of being defended in cafe it fliould ever be attacked in a regular Way by an European Enemy. About feven Miles from this Fort, there ^ a large Ridge H of » '^ II (•"! I tl i r'i.''t!l i!iJ ^8 ^he LaJI Expedition in i ' \ of Stones, and amongft them a vaft Quantity of Pjrrltes exaft- ly round, and very near the Size of a Six Pound Shot, which the Etiglijhf who refide here, arc fo wife as to believe, the French aftually caft into that Form, for their Cannon, when they attacl(ed this Place. I mention this as a remarkable Piece of natural Hiftory, and as a plain Indication that this Country abounds with Metals, and thofe too of the moft va« luable Kinds; for the Pyrites always contain fbme fmall mat- ter of Gold, are often pretty rich in Silver, but are feldom knowa to hold either Lead or Tin. This is looked upon to be in all Refpe^ the mofl valua- ble of the Hudfon'S'bay Company's Settiements ; becaufe the moft confiderable Part of their Trade is carried on here, where it is computed they deal for between forty and fifty thou- fand rich Furs annually ; and according to the Information I received froni different Perfons, which from their Confiftency with each other, appeared to me the more credible, this Com- merce might be raifed with very little Induftry, to five Times it's prefent Value* But by an unaccountable Policy, at leaft coniidered in a national Light, the Company difcourage their Factories from extending the Trade, and give themfelves no Sort of Trouble, to prevent the French, who are naking daily Encroachments upon them, from fettling upon their Ri- vers, and intercepting the choiceft Kind of Furs, fuch as Ot- ters, Martins, or Sables j which they purchafe, becaufe they are lighted, and, confcquently, fitteft for Carriage, as the Places where they buy them are at a great Diftance from the French Settlements, fo that heavy arid coarfe Goods would fcarce turn to any Account ; and they have the faireft Oppor- tunity that can be of doing this, becaufe the Natives are al- ways inclined to deal with them preferable to the Englljh. The Reafon of this Preference given to the French, is a ve- ry plain one, viz. becaufe they give a much better Price for what they purchafe than is given by the Englijh, as will evi- dently appear by confidering that Standard, which the Company has eftablifhcd for the Regulation of their Trade. This Standard confifts in reducing all Skins to Beaver; as for Inftance ; They reckon two Otters equal to a Bearer; in like manner, three Martins, and fo of other Skins ; whereas in Fa 11 'M 100 ^e Lafi Expedition in ^ That this )s really troe^ intheprefent Ca(e, will appear plainly to any impartial Judge, who will be pleafed to advert to the convenient Situation of their Settlements, the numerous Na- tions in their Neighbourhood, the vaft Quantities of Furs in their Pofleilion, and their Willingnefs to part with them for our Commodities ; and who at the fame Time like wife, will re- fledl on the vaft Trade^ which the French carry on with thofe very Nations, without having any fuch commodious Settle* ments, and notwtthflanding their being expofed to many other Inconveniencies. To fuch a Perfon alfo it will readily occur, that if Settlements were made farther up the Rivers, proper Encouragements given to the Natives, and the Trade fixed upon a fair and equitable Foot, which even then would be highly beneficial to the Ertgli/h^ all thefe Mifchiefs would be fpeedily redrefled ; ten Times the Quantity of our Manufac- tures would be confumed; the Trade would be recovered from the French, who have no Right to it; and by employ- mg Artificers at fiome, Seamen abroad, and a confiderable Number of Ships, would transfer to the Public that Wealth, which this Traffick is certainly capable of producing ; and of which only a very fmall Part comes at prefent into the Poc kets of a Handful of Men ; who, provided they enjoy all they fufFer it to produce, are content it fhall produce but little. Such might be, and yet fuch is the Commerce of the EngliJI) in Hudfon^s-Bay. As I have now performed my Promife, in fome Meafure, I hope to the Reader's Satisfaftion ; we will return again to the Expedition. On the 2 2d oiJunCy we fell about three Miles below the Fac^lory, where we came to an Anchor, and took in the Remainder of our Stores, and here the California buried another of her Men, who had been in a declining Way ever fince we failed from England. On the 23d, we fell down lower t ) a Place called Five Fathom Hole, where we anchored for that Night. On the 24th, having a fair Wind, we u eighed Anchor, and paffing the Shoals flood to the North- ward on the Difcovery. On the 23th, we failed through much broken Ice j but by flanding in clofe to the Shore, we avoided the thickell Part of it, tho' a great deal continued in Sight, 'till we got to the Northward of Cape Churchill, where we had a clear Sea, and proceeded without Difficulty, ViU the laft: of this Mon-h, when we made Centry Ifland, in the Latitude of 61®. 40'. North. On the ilioi'July, \\\t Refolution came along Side of the Dobbs, and took in Provifion and Sea- Stores, fuificient for the Ufe of ten Men, for two Mouths. This being done, Cap- tain s the Dobbs and California. lOt tain M)orff with eight Hands and niyfelf, went on board, in order to examine the Coails. Before we quitted the Ship, the Captain gave his Orders to the Chief Mate, which were to proceed to Marble Ifland, and wail there 'till we joined them. The Ships thereupon failed to the Northward, and we flood in for the Shore, where we grappled for that Night. On the 2d of July, we continued to fail along Shore to the Northward, through a great deal of broken Ice j which, v. ith the rocky Shoals, that run two or three Miles into the Sea, made it '^ery dangerous. The EJkimaux who inhabit the Sea Coajfts to tiie Northward of the Company's Settlements, ap- peared from Time to Time in fmall Bodies of forty or fifty together, upon the Eminencies of the Iflands on t^at Shore, fhouting, and making Signals for us to approach, but we pro- ceeded on our Gourfe without minding them, until we ani ed at Knight's Ifland in the Latitude of 62*. 2'. North, where we anchored that Night. Here we tried the Tide, and found it rife ten Feet at High Water, which at full and change of the Moon, was at half an Hour paft Four. We weighed from thence and endeavoured to ftand in with the Weft Shore, where a large Opening a^Tpeared, but we were prevented by the Ice from approaching it. But the Weather growing tempeftuous, and the Ice driving about in large Pieces, we found it neceflary to bear away again for Knighfs Ifland, where wc took flicker till the 5th, when the Sea was much clearer. In the mean Time, two Canoes full of EJkimaux came off to us from the Weft Coaft, and upon our lignifying that we wanted Whalebone, they immediately left us, but quickly returned with a confiderable Quantity of that, and a large Parcel of Bladders filled with Train Oil. We purchaf- ed the former with fmall Hatchets, Knives, Bits of Iron Hoops, and other Things; but as for the Oil, as we did not care to encumber ourfelves with it, we let ti:em carry it away, tho' they would very willingly have fold it, and no doubt would have offered us a good Bargain; for they intimated to ns befides, that they had confiderable Quantities, both of that and of Whalebone, upon the Iflands that lay in fight of us to the Weftward, and were very prefTing to have us go thither ; but this, as our Bufinefs was not Trade, we thought fit to de- cline. Here we faw great Numbers of Seals and white Whales, and had feveral Iflands in View, fuch as Si B:hy^%f Alerry's, Jones's, 6c. all rocky and barren, quite deditutc of Trees, and indeed of Herbage, excepting Scurvy -Grnt,, and a few other Plants which are common in Croenland and I ap- ian J. Upon tbcfc, and indeed upon all the Iflands on this H 3 Coaft .1 . 102 Itbe Lafi Expedition in Coafl: there are Graves of the EJkimauxy ard Stones which jthey fet up for fome Reafon no doubt ; but what that Reafoq |S we are as yet ignorant, tho* the Thing has been taken qo- ice of, ever fince thefe Goafts were vifited by the EngUjh for Trade, or for Difcoveries, I CANNOT help taking Notice in this Place, of an Acci- dent which happened to us, and which as it was the Objeft of our Aftonifhment then, ha? been alfo very often the Sub- jeft of niy ferious Thoughts fincc, In fhort, amongft thefe Iflands and in f^ijmg thro' the Ice, the Needles of our Com-r pafles loft their Magnetical Qiialitie's; one feeming to aft fron: this Direction, and another under that, and yet they were not for any confiderable (pace of Time conftant to any ; "We laboured to remedy this Evil by retouching them with an artificial Magnet, but to very little puipofe ; for if they re- covered their Powers by this Means, they piefentjy lo(l them again j fo that we were thoroughly convinced this was no ra-t dical Cure of their Djforder, whicn, as it was vifiblp to all on Board the Refolution, fo it is not an Accident taken notice of only by me ; and therefore the Matter of Faft may be con- fidered 31s a Thing inconteftable ; but the Bufinefs is how to account for it, by alljgning a rational and probable Gaufe of an EfFedt", in it's firft Appearance, fo very extraordinary, The Difcuffing, and even the attempting to difcufs Queftions of this Nature, is higlily ferviceable, as it tends to the Improvement of ufeful Knowledge, by adding to that Stock, of which th? Learned are at prefent in Pofleffion, 1 Thp Notions which the Antientshad of the Power of the Magnet or Loadftone^ were very imperfeft, £pid therefore we need not wonder that there is foraewhat of Gonfufion, and much of Ob(f urity in the Accounts they have laboured to give ps, of the Gaufes of thofe Powers. The Opinion that prin- cipally prevails among the Moderns, is that of Des Cartes, maintained by Malebranche, Rohault, and other Authors ; and even admitted and confirmed by Mr. Boyle and later Philofo- phers, In this it is fuppofed there is continually flrwingj, from the Poles of the World, a fubtile, impalpable, and in- vifible Miitter, channelled, or ftriated: Which Matter, cir- culating round the Earth, in the Plains of the Meridians, re-: enters at the Pole, oppofite to that from which it ifliied ; and paffcs again thro' the Poles parallel to it's Axis : That the Magqet has two Poles anfwerable to thofe of the Earth, and that out of thefe there iffues a Matter like that juft mentioned : Thai this Matter, entering in at one of the Poles, gives the , . Impulfc the "Dohhsand California. 103 Irapulfe whereby Iron tends to the Magnet, and produces what we call j4t:i^a£llon. Now befides the magnetical Matter re- entering the Poles of the Magnet, there is always a certain Quantity thereof circulating round the Magnet j compofing a kind of Vortex about it. The Space wherein this Matter moves, is the Sphere of Aftivity of the Magnet, within which it's attraftive Faculty is confined. As to it's directive Faculty, or the Inclination of a Needle, touched with it, to the Poles of the World, and it's Dip to a Point beneath the Horizon, they follow from the fame Principle ; finje were the Magnet or Needle to have any other Situation, the magnetic Matter would flrike on it's other Surface in vain ; and not being able to get admiflion, would, by Degrees change it's Situation, 'till it's Pores corre(ponded to the Courfe of the magnetical Mat- ter ; which Situation having once acquired, it would ceafe to move ; the magnetical Matter then ccafing to difturb it. Thd Form or Eflence of a Magnet, therefore is fuppofed to con- fift in it's being perforated by an infinite Number of parallel Pores ; fome whereof are dilpofed to admit the firiated Mat- ter from the North Pole of the World, others that of the South; hence the North and South Poles of the Magnet ; and hence the firli: Hint perhaps of making artificial Magnets. It may indeed be obje^ed, that all this is Suppofition, and tliat it is not polfible to fupport itby any direft Proof ; yet whoever confiders this attentively, will difcern, that where no fuch Proof can be had, probable Suppofitions ought to take Place, till future Difcoveries make it evident that tbey are falfe ; and alfo that where direft Proofs are not to be had, it ?3 altogether improper to demand them. If we app'y thii Reafoning to the Matter In queftion, we are to enquire what Caufes may be afiigned for this fmgular Appearance ; and then we are to confider next, which of them is moft reconcileable to this Hypothefis ? As for mftance, it may in the fiift Place befaid, that tliis fudden Alteration of the Needles, proceeded from our near Approach to the North magnetic Pole, accord- ing to the Syftem of Dr. Halley ; and to this I ftiould have been glad to have afcribed it, becaufe then we fhould have had fome kind of Evidence, in favour of that Syftem, which in it's Contrivance, is certainly moft ingenious. There are how- ever feveral Reafons arifing from the Giicumftanccs before re- lated, that will not allow us to admit of this Caufe ; and^of thefe I fhall mention three, that appear to me the moft ma- terial. The firft is, that in Faft, we were not near that Pole ; atleaft as Dr. Halley firft placed it, fince he fuppofed it 13**. H 4 30'- n ¥ m ill i' i04 The Lafl Expedition in 30'. (for as to the Poles, he afterwards fuppofed they were ftjll farther removed) from the Pole of the Earth ; whereas we were almoft 28®. from it, and he places it in the Longi- tude o? 30". Eaft from the Meridian of London^ whereas we were above 90*^. Weft from the fame Meridian, Secondly ^ If this had been the Caufe, it would have operated equally, and the Compafles would have had the fame Direflion, which they had not. Thirdly, The very fame Accident has happened in other Parts of Hudfon^s-Stratts, and indeed in fcveral other Parts of the World ; and therefore the Nearnefs of the Mag- netic Pole could not be the Caufe both here and there ; tho* there is nothing abfurd in fuppofing it might not be the Caufe any where. Another Method fuggefted for the Solution of this Dif- ficulty, was the Vicinity of fome large mineral Body, that might dlfturb and divert the regular Direftion of the Needles. Now if we fhould allow tliis to be not only poflible, but pro- bable, which, perhaps, is more than can be faid for 1% either from the Principles of the received Philofophy, or from the Evidence of Experiments ; yet it could not be admitted as the Caufe in this Cafe, fince that too, muft have afted equally ; and tho* it had altered, the true would have given fome certain Dire£Uon to the Needles, which, as we obferved before, was not the Cafe ; and befides, had it been fo, no Remedy what- ever could have been found, except the plain and natural one of removing out of the Sphere of Aftivity, which fuch a mi- neral Body muft be prefumed to have ; and yet, as we fliall fee hereafter, another Remedy was found, which could have no Relation whatever, either to this, or to the former Caufe. The laft Caufe, to which this Event has been afcribed, is Cold ; arifing from the Nearnefs and Quantity of Ice; which, as it has a known and fenfible Operation upon the Air, may be conceived to aft alfo on the magnetic Particles, floating therein, or perhaps upon the Needle itfelf, by Conftridion ot k's Pores ; for which ever Way it is fuppofed to a6t, the Con-^ feqaence will be much the fame, and contribute equally to the Solution of the prefent Queftion. If notwithftanding what has been faid of the Reafonablenefs of admitting, in fucli Cafes, probable Suppofitions, fome farther Proof fhould ftill be required ; I think, that may be likewife met with, m the fingle and fimple Remedy, by which we were delivered from this EmbarrafTment ; and this was no other than carrying the Compafles into a warm Place ; when the Needles very (peedily refumed their Aftivity, and pointed as ufual, by their being figain permeated by the fubtUe magnetic Matter. It may be aUedged, i ailedgcd, 11 admit it, ^ that fell un the fame T was fo far mation of t might aft very well f( allowed th caufe at th< not but cor the Force magnetic I Needles ; recovering Contrarietj Cold. It this Caufe not precluc conildering ner in whi in fuppofin ferent Cai more Evic that Hj^ol at prelent, ■whether pi clearly or ( fubmitted for if it Truth, w tions, it \ greflion, Excufe, ] On th( of Sir Di to enter 1 once mor in, in ver defift. I board wii upon Tei but notwi in nearer former i the Dobbs and California. »05 alledged, In Favour of this Caufc, that if we think proper to admit it, we fhall find, that it reaches all ihc Circumftances that fell under our Notice ; for in the firft FLiCe we fee, that the fame Thing happening in other Tartb of Hudfori's Straits, was fo far from being an Objeftion, that it is really a Confir- mation of the Truth pf this Suppofition ; llnce the fame Caufe might aft as powerfully there as here. Secondly, It accounts very well for that Uncertainty, Unfteadinefs, and, if I may be allowed the Expreflion, Diftratlion, the Needles fuifered ; bc- caufe at the fame Time, that we afcribe this to Cold, we can- not but conceive that it mvW aft varioufly, in Proportion to the Force of the frigorific Power, the Configuration of the magnetic Particles, and the Strufture of the Pores in the Needles ; and, thirdly, this accords perfeftly with the Needles recovering their Aftivity, in the warm Air, by that reciprocal Contrariety which appeals in all the Operations of Heat and Cold. It may not be amifs however to obferve, that tho* this Caufe may be admitted upon this Occafion ; yet it does not preclude the Operation of other Caufes in other Places ; for confidering the Subtilty of the magnetic Effluvia, and the man- ner in which wc apprehend they aft, there is nothing abfurd in fuppofing, that their Operations may be diflurbed by dif- ferent Caufes ; and the more of thefe we can find, fo many more Evidences we ftiall from thence derive in Favour of that Hj^otheiis, in Relation to Magnetifm, which is received at prefent. But all I have delivered, whether rational or not, whether probable orotherwife, whether well or ill conceived, clearly or obfcurely expiefled, or in fin?, whatever it be, is fubmitted to the Cenfure of the candid and judicious Reader ; for if it leads him in any Degree to the Dlfcovery of the Truth, whether it be by admitting or difapproving my No- tions, it will efFeftually anfwer the End aimed at by this Di- greflion, for which, prefuming this may pafs for a tolerable Excufe, I take up the Thread of my Story, where I let it fall. On the 5th we weighed and ftcod over to the South Side of Sir Bibfs Ifland, in Hopes that we iTiould have been able to enter the Opening, that we attempted before ; but we had once more the fame Misfortune ; for the Ice driving out and in, in very large Pieces, we found ourfelves again obliged to" defift. It was here that fix Canoes full of EJhmaux came on board with a large Parcel of Whalebone, whic'i we purchafed upon Terms as much to their Satisfaftion, as to our Pr.-fi: ; but notwithftanding they were very defucus; to iiave us (land in nearer the Land, and for that Pnrpoi>, repeated all their former Signals j yet as our Bufinefs was Difcovny, and njt Coinriii'ue. ii: io6 77fc Laft Expedition in Commerce, we flighted thefe SoUicitations, and flood to the Northward as far as the Latitude of 62^. 12'. Then we (leered to the North Weft, and after paffing over feveral Shoals, and running between many low Iflands, we entered Nevill's Bay being the fame we attempted at the South End of Sir Bifys Ifland, which in a manrtcr covers it, lying at the Dif- tance of about five Leagues to the South Eaft. When one is In it, this appears to be a very capacious Bay, well (heltered from the Sea; and in the Bottom of it is a pretty large River running Weftward. The main Land about it is of an cafy Afcent, and confifts chiefly of a fmooth Rock, covered with Mofs, with here and there a few fmall Plants. The eafieft Entrance into NeviWs Bay, is between the South Weft End of Sir Bibys Ifland, and the main Land. On the gth, we failed with an Intention to coaft to the Northward, but in repalfing the Shoals, the Tide fwept us upon a Ridge of Stones, where our Veflfel was very near being (love to Pieces, While we were in this hazardous Situation, there came off to us fix Canoes of EJhimaux with Whale ^ bone, which we bought of them. They were very fenfiblc of the Diftrefs we were in, but fo far from talcing any Ad- vantage of us, that they were not only extremely civil, but highly ferviceable ; for when the Tide of Flood floated us off]^ an old Man, who feemed better acquainted with the Place than the reft, paddled before us, pointed out the Shoals, and kept in the deep Water ; fo that it was in fome Meafure by Jus Afliftance, that the Refolution not only efcapcd being loft, but efcaped alfo, without fufFering any Damage. Whatever therefore the French Writers, or even fome of our own may fay, in Prejudice to the Gharafter of tliefe poor People, it is but bare Juftice in us to own, that they treated us not only with llumanity, but with great Kindnefs and Friendfh^. I M u ST confefs, that I could not help admiring very much, pot only the Induftry, but the Ingenuity of thefe People ; who for Want of Iron ai*e frequently obliged to make not only the jparbs of their Arrows, Darts and Harpoons, but alfo Hat- chets and Knives, of Stones, Sea-Horfe Teeth, or Sea^Uni- corn Horns, which Creatures abound here ; and it is not ealy to fay how dextroufly they ufe Materials, which to us feem io very improper for Purpofes to which they employ them. Their Needles are alf j made of the fame Stuff, notwithftanding which their Gloaths are perfcOly well fewed, ^nd are not only flrong and clofe, but very neatly made, in the fame manner as thefe of the People we met with in Hudfon*s -Sir aits y which b^ve been more particularly defcribed j and therefore we will fpare ' > I 1 I 1^ the Dobbs and California. 107 foafe the Reader the Trouble of any Repetitions here. It is from hence, as well as from the great Conformity between them in their L,.anguagc, Perfons, and Guftoms, that we con-^ elude them to have been originally one People ; but then it muft be acknowledged, that thefe are a more affable, friendly and better difpofed Sort of Folks, as well as more accom* plifhed Artifts in thofe fevcral Branches of Mechanicks, which they have been taught by one common Miftrefs, Neceflity, which is the fole Mother of Invention amongft them. It will in fome Meafure, juftify this Obfcrvation to remark, that the Borders of their Habits are commonly fringed with cut Leather, and are fmetimes hpng with Fawns Teeth; iand the Women do not ftick out the Sides of their Boots with Whalebone, as the other EJhimaux do, whofe Cuftoms have been before defcribcd, There is alfo another Circumftancc }n which thefe People llkewife differ from thofe formerly men* tioned, and th4t is in wearing a Gap made of the Skin of a Buffalo's Tail ; which, tho' it has a horrid Appearance, yet it is very ufeful in keeping off the Muiketoes, which in t'-*''; Country are exceffively troublefome. It is true, that the Hair hanging over their Faces fomewhat obftrudts their Sight ; yet then it is eafily rom:.ved with their Hands ; but if it was not for this Defence, thofe Infects would be infupporjtable here, gs they are in fome Parts of Lapland^ according to the Ac-» count given us by Mr. MaupertuiSy in his excellent Book of the Figure of the Earth. For this Purpofe their Children wear them while they hang at their Mothers Backs, when it muil |)e allowed, that they make a moft difmal Figure, and are apt to raife ^ fhocking Idea of the Barbarity of thefe Savages, tho' they are neverthelefs a very harmlefs and inoffenfiv^ People. When they go to Sea, in order to catch Fifli, they coni- fxionly carry with them ui their Boats, a Bladder full of Train Oil, as oui: People do a Dram Bottle, and feem to drink the Contents with the fame Relifh ; nay, we have fometimes feen them, when thejr Stock was out, draw the very Bladder through their Teeth with much feeming Satisfaftion. In all Probability they arc convinced by Experience, of the falutary EfFefts even of this coarfe Kind of Oil, in this rigorous Cli- mate, which makes them fo fond of it; and I am the rather induced to be of this Opinion, becaufe J have heard, that the Inhabitants of St, Kilda, a rocky Ifland on the Goaft of Scotland, are no lefs pleafed with the Oil they make from the Fat of Soland Gcefc, which muft be very near as rancid, They alfo make ufc of this Oil for their Lamps, which are .V • made I i lOfJ fhg Lali Expedition in made of Stone, hollowed out with fome Difficulty, and as artificially as can be well expcfted, conlidcring the Tools they work with; and for the Wiclc, inflcad of Cotton, which wc ufe, they have recourfe to di-yed Goofe Dung, a very poor Shift indeed, but Aill better than none. They have a very dextrous Method of kindling Fire ; in order to which, they prepare two fmall Pieces of dry Wood, which having made Hat, they next make a fmall Hole in each, and having fitted Into thefe Holes a little cylindrical Piece of Wood, to which a Thong is fadened, they whirl it about theieby with fuch a Velocity, that by- rubbing the Pieces of Woocl one againft the other, this Motion foon fets them on fire ; ard then by applying the lighted Piece of Wood to dry Mofs, In the fame Manner that we ufe Tinder, they make as great a Fire as they pleafe. It will be proper to add, that what little Timber they have, is entirely Drift Wood ; and this failing them in the Winter, they are obliged to make ufe of their Lamps before dcfcribed, for the Supply of their Family Occaiions. A Notion has pretty generally prevailed, as if thefe People lived under Ground in the Winter ; but that this is abfolutely a Miflake will appear from hence, that the Country in which they live, is for the mod Part one con- tinued Rock ; and tho* poflibly there may be a confidcrable Depth of Soil in fome of their Vallies ; yet this being froze almoft as hard as that Rock, fuch a Manner of living muft be to them impradticable. After having mentioned (bme In- ftances of their Ingenuity, it may perhaps amufe the Reader, if I give him one of their Simplicity. Thefe poor Creatures were fo far from being jealous of their Wives, that they would willingly have proftituted them to us, from a Notion, that our Children by them would have been in every refpecH: as much fuperior to their Nation, as they took us to be ; for they conceive that in t\\r, '-aoft literal Scnfe, every Man begets his like; and that the ^ovi of a Captain muft be a Captain, and fo of the rel*^. We failed from hence, direftlng our Gourfe to the Eaft- ward, and on th ; pth of Julyj arrived and anchored at Sea Horfe liland, which is very properly named, there being a prodi- gious Refort of thofe Creatures thither; and this being theu* Seafon of Propagation, they were excefTively furious, roar- ing in a temblc Manner ; many of them flouncing about upon the Beach, and mych greater Numbers in the Sea that waflies it's Coafts. As this is the moft Eaftward of all the lidands before mentioned, it is the leaft vifited by the Savages of any, as lying moft out of their Way; and as this is probably the Reafon, 15' Reafon, that to breed; fo i vaft Flocks of Loons, Brow a Place where On the lo many fmall I rived at Whale difcovered to there were ms Savages to vil make it their upon the mofl It was upon o go a Shore in cafions, in w the Men. V\ by about twe Children, for them, in ord that Purpofe to look out f< for this Reafo Tide of Floe Board the ReJ We failed Point, in the difcovered a which I gave this Opening came in from thought he fa courfe with I Parts, ari f we found gr fioned by tl again to the and found th between Ma THEfirft Dobbs Galle from the Ic •which lies i about that 1 Smith had I' 1 the Dobbs and California. 109 Reafofi) that the Sea Horfes refort thither in iuch Numbers to breed; fo it is alfo the Caufe cf its being frequented by vafl Flocks of Sea Fowl> fuch as Pidgcons, Gulls, Mews^ Loons, Brown Ducks, (6rc. and this is all that I can hy, of a Place where we did but jud touch. On the loth we weighed, and Aood along Shoni imong many fmall Iflands, and Pieces of floating Ice, till we ar- rived at Whale-Cove f in the Latitude of 62* 30' North. "U^e difcovered to the Weftward of this Place a Bay, in which there were many Iflands, from whence there came off a few Savages to vifit us ; for it is to be obferved, that they always make it their choice, to fix themfelves, in the Summer Seafon, upon the moftdcfolate Iflands, for the Conveniency of Fifliing. It was upon one of thefe Iflands the Captain thought proper to go a Shore in a little Boat, that we made ufe of upon fuch Oc- cafions, in which I accompanied him, together with two of the Men. We were no fooner on Shore, than we were met by about twenty E/klmaux, but moft of them Women and Children, for the Men were gone a fifliing; we quickly left them, in order to take a View of the Place ; and Laving for that Purpofe gained the higheft Part of the Ifland, we began to look out for fome confiderable Opening, but in vain : and for this Reafon therefore, as well as becaufe wc obferved the Tide of Flood coming in from,the Eaftward, we returned on Board the Refolution, without making any long Stay. We failed again on the nth, and arrived the fame Day at a Point, in the Latitude of 62°. 47' North, from whence we difcovered a large Opening, running to the Weftward, to which I gave the Name of Corhet^s Inlet. We did not enter this Opening for two Reafons , firft, becaufe the Tide of Flood came in from the Eaftward ; and fecondly, becaufe Captain Mocr thought he faw the End of it ; fo that after fome Ihort Intcr- courfe with the EJkimauXy who are pretty numerous in thefe Parts, arj fupplying ourfelves with frefti Water, of which we found great Plenty in the Cavities of the Rocks, occa-. fioned by the melting of the Snows ; we refolved to return again to the Ships, which we accordingly did on the 1 3th, and found them both lying at anchor in a tolerable good Road, between Marble JJlam, and the Main. The firft News we heard, was, that in our Abfence, the Dobbs Galley had been expofed to a good deal of Danger, from the Ice driving down upon her, out of Rankin's IiUet, which lies about four Leagues to the Weftward, and where about that Time the Ice had broke up. Into this Place Capt. Smith had fent his Chief and Second Mates to examine it, and, no ^helaft Expedition in and, according to the Report of the former, after failing about thirty Leaoucs upon diifcreii; Gourfes, from Weft, round to the Ead of the North, it was found to terminate in a Bayj the Land thereabouts much the fame with what has been be- fore defcribed* According to the Accounts given of that Place by Mr. tVefiol, the fecond Mate, before this Search ivas made, there ieemed to be (omt Probability of a Pafllige, Which induced Capt< Smith to attcnnpt entering it with his Ship ; but being very foon embarraled by dangerous Rocks and Shoals, he delifted, and bore away back to Marble- JJland. The very fame Morning that we got on Board the Dobbs-Calley, Captain Smith of the California^ had fcnt his JLong-Boat with the Second Mate, to fearch all the Goad be- tween Gape Jaiabert, in I but at length having pafTed Savage-Sound, where the Tide is lefs rapid, as the Channel becomes broader, we found ourfelves more at our Safe, and in greater Safety* This Sound is formed by a Chain of fmall Iflands, that ftretch along at fomi piflance from the North Shore, behind which Captain Mid^ dleton lay, when formerly in this Place. On the 30th, we found ourfelves off Dcet-Sound, which is an indifferent good Road, about eight or ten Leagues higlier up on the fame Sidd of the Strait. We difcovcred foon after, a very good Placd for fecuring the Ships, furrounded ih a manner with high rocky Iflands, which flicker it almofl: from every Wind } to this we gave the Name of Douglai - Harbour ^ in Honour of JameS and Htnry Douglas, Efqrs; Members of the North Weft Committee* After mooring our Ships in between twelve and eighteen Fathom Water, we deliberated again upon the proper Method to be purfued, in order to determine clearly whether the Wagef was a River, a Strait, or a Bay, and this produced the following Refolution> which was the Grounds of our fub* fequeilt Proceedings. . At a Council held on iBoard the iDobbs Galley, in Doiiglafs Har* b9ur, Wager Straits, July the ^oth, 1747. PRESENT, Captain JVILLUM MOORty Captain FRANCIS SMITH, 6r. •^ I *3^Ht ,.# * IplEiNG now at Anchor in a fafe Harbour, about thirty * J3 Leagues up the faid Strait, and finding good Encouraged * ment to go farther, we have met to debate on the moft etfec- * tual and expeditious Method to be purfued therein * arid after ' mature Confideration, we have unanimoufly agreed ^ that * the Ships fliall remain where they now lie, and that the * Boats of each Ship fliall depart at the firfl: of the Flood to- * morrow Morning, up the faid Strait, as far, if poffiblc, ad * to determine whether it is a Pafl^age to the Weftcrn Oceart * of America^ or not, which is to be done with all tlie Ex- I A . lifdition ii6 The Lafl Expedition in * pedition and Accuracy the Nature of the Buimefs will per- * mit ; bat in order that that the Ships may not be detained in * this Northern Latitude, longer than they may with fafety, * by waiting for the Boats : it is refolved, if they Ihould not ' return by the 25th of Jugu/i next enfuing, then the Com- ' manding Officers of both Ships, are to proceed with the * Dobh Galley and California for England, oc. In Purfuance of thisRefolution, the Captains of the Dobbf Galley and of the California y failed with proper Officers, and a fulficient Number of Hands in the Boats, belonging to their refpe (Stive Ships, upon t\\6 lall Day of this Month, with a fair and fine Gale, keeping a North "Weft by Weft Courfe, ti 1 the Strait diminifhed in Breadth, from ten Leagues to fcarce one. At this time, which was pretty near the Approach of Night, we were alarmed with a very loud unaccountable Noife, refembling the Sound of a vaft Gataraft, or prodigious Fall of Watei , but could not difcover from whence it came ,• it was therefore thought necefTary to come immediately to an Anchor, that fome of us might go a-fhore, and fee what Dif- coveries might be that Way made. This was accordingly done ; but before we could gain the Top of the Eminence, for the Shore proved exceffively rocky and fteep, it was be- come (<) dark, that we found all the Pains we had taken en- tirely thrown away, and were obliged to return to our Boat very weary ; and yet no whit wifer than when we went. I cannot help, however taking Notice that in afcending thefe Mountains, we had at once as great, as gloomy and as awful a Profpert, as perhaps ever aftonifhed mortal Eyes. While we walkeJ along the Beach, the ragged Rocks above feemed pen- dent over our Heads : In fome Places there were falls of Wa- ter, dafhing from Cliff to Cliff; from others hung prodi- gious Ificles in Rows; one behind another, like the Pipes of a vaft Organ. But the moft tremendous Part of the Scene were the ffiattered Crags that lay at our Feet, and appear- ed plainly to have burft from the Mountain Tops, thro* the expanflve Power of the rigorous Frofts, and fo rolled with inexpreffible Fury down the Sides, 'till they reached thofc Places where the Ruins now lay: I call them Ruins ,: for fuch they properly were: And if there is fomething that deeply afFo6ts us, when we behold either the Wafte of War, or the Devaftations of Time, it may be eafy con- ceived, that fomething much more terrible muft be felt from Uic Sight of tliefe amazbg Relicks of tlic Wreck of Nature^ Wfc- m if the Dobbs and California. 117 "We Ipent the Night, as the Reader may believe, with no great Satisfaftion ; and early in the Morning we went a-fhore ; nor was it long before we difcovered, that the mighty Noife we heard, was occafioned by the Tides being confined in a Paflage of about fixty Yards wide, but the Body of Water, and it's Rapidity, was exceeding great: And nolwithftand- ing we were now One Hundred and fifty Miles from the En- trance, it's Colour was perfeftly bright, and it's Tafte very fait. The Tide rofe here commonly fourteen Feet and a Half, high "Water at fix o'clock at Full and Change. As we faw clearly that the Strait opened beyond this Fail, to five or fix Miles wide, and ran (everal Leagues to the Welhvard, we were ftill in Hopes of a Pa/Tage. The great Difficulty now was how to pals the Fall, which, when attempted; prcved not either fo hard^ or fo hazardous, as from the fiift\iewwe apprehended; for 1 paflfed it with a little Boar, when it Mas in it's full Fury. We foon after found, that it might be crofled without any Rifque at all ; for at half Flood, the Water be- low the Fall, was upon a Level with *hat above; and at half Ebb agdin, the Water above, was f ven with that below ; and At thoie Times, it was quite fmooth and ftill, fo as to be pafied without the leaft Difficulty or Danger. While we lay here, three Indians came aboard us in their Canoes, and ap- peared from their Manners, to be the fame kind of People we had m£t with in other Parts of this Coaft, but much lower in Stature ; for it was very obfervable, that in fiiilins: North from Tork-Fort, every thing dwindled and diminifiicd, ih that Trees fhrunk into Brufiiwood, in the Latitude of 610. and none of the human Species appeared beyond the Latitude of 6y^. Thefe Indians feemed a little timorous at firft, as in all Probability we were the firft Europeans they ever faw ; but upon our making Signals of Friendfliip, they grew bolder, came up to and converfed with us, and upon giving them to underftand, that we wanted Tucktoaj which in their Lan- guage fignifies Venifon, they prefently went a-(horc and brought us fome which had been cured after their manner, by drying; together with fome Pieces of Buffaloes Ilcffi, which appear- ed to have been lately killed ; and having p rchaled this fmali Cargo of theii's at an eafy Rate, \Ve lent them away very well fatisfied. On the 2d of Augvj}, \vc pafied the Fall, above which the Tide rofe only four Feet, but the Shores were very ftccp on both Sides, and no Ground was to be felt with a Line of One Hundred and Forty Fathom. There ftiji applied yeals and white Whales, but not witliftanding this, moft of >■■ -r- .1 ^ ' our 1 1 8 The Laji Expedition in our Company were not a Uitle difcouraged by thetr finding the Water almoll: frelh upon the Surface. But it bei- my Opi, nion, that this Frelhnefs was only on the Surfac^, i refolved to make an Experiment whether the thing was fo or not ; and for that Purpofe let down a Bottle ftrongly corked, to the Depth of that where conftant and continual Danger excites perpetual At- tention) it thereby alters it's Nature, and becomes, if I may be allowed the Expreflion, the Caufe of Safety* As we have been obliged to take Notice of the prodigious Fogs that are almoft conftantly to be met with here, as no finall Part of the Dangers to which VefTels are expofed arife from thefe thick Fogs, and as many who have failed in thefd have thought it worth their Pains to endeavour to account for them^ which has been the Aim likewife of the moft intelli- gent Travellers through thofe Northern Climates, that are in like manner afFefted by them, it may perhaps afford fome En- tel'tainment to the Reader, if we follow fuch Examples, and fciiiploy alfo a little Pains and Time to difcufs a Point, which tho' fo often confidered, is IHll far enough from being clear \ and the clearing of which however muft be attended with Goh- fequences more than fufficient to compenfate the Trouble of the Enquiryi For tho' Hudfon^s Straits > the Coafts of Nev)» fouridland^ and other Northern Regions > aie moft famous for Mifts and FogSj yet many other Climates are alfo fubje<5l td them more or lefs, and therefore the Difeovery of their Gaufes^ ivith any tolerable Degree of Certainty > will anfwer many iife- ful Purpoles^ as well a§ add confiderably to that Stock of real Kilowledge> which the Induftry of the Learned m all Ages hath fumifhed to the World* It is a Hint given by Mr. Maupei^tuisy that perhaps thd ^un's long Stay above the Horizon, in Northern Countries ^ ihay ralfe more Vapours than the Night can condenfe. But Mr< Da^le acquaints tis^ that he had certain Information of vety thick and almoft conftant Fogs, at certain Seafons of the Year> obferved upon the Coafts of Corroniandei^ in the Ea/?' Indies j which fc&nnot poffibly be afcribed to the Sun's remain* itig long above the Horizon> becaufe in that Climate the Dif- ference of Days throughout the Year is not very greatj 6e-» fidesi if this was the Caufe, it would follow, that in Spitz^ hetgeri they ftiouldbe moft troubled with Fogs, when the Sun is higheft^ ^d inddtd through their whole Suitimer, when the Sun is there conftantly above the Horizon > but Ex(>erience pfcrves juft the contrary ; and that then thofe who are employed in the Whale Fifhery uf)on thefe Coafts have bright and clcaf Weathefj ^hichj as MaHen obfervcs in his Voyage, Is the Ikteft for the hatching Whales. . . ^.u ..*.«- . . TL it it'l ,t»tmMli^kimlitijSimmm*tf'»it 1^0 ^e Lafl Expedition in It appears to me more probable, that the Coldnefs of thtf Air conaenfes the moift Vapour, as it rifes and keeps it ho- vering on the Surface, Avhich feems to be confirmed by our having the thickeft and moft frequent Fogs, when we are near the Ice Fields, where the Air is coldeft. It has been alfo ob- ferved, that South and South Weft Winds bring much moift Vapour with them, which in the Northern Parts turns to wet Fogs, not only firom the Coldnefs of the Air, but from it's Spring being weakened, whereby it is rendered lefs capable of fuftaining and fupporting thofe Vapours. On the other Hand, all Winds from any Point of the North, are obferved to brmg vdth them fair Weather, and this alfo from a double Caufe ; firft, becaufe they blow over a dry TraiJl and confequently bring with them few or no Vapours ; and ri:?xt, becairfe they add to the Elafticity of the Au-, fo that the Vapours are kept up without any Fallmg or Fluctuation. It is to be obferved, that in treating this SubjeO;, the com-^ mon Ufage of Speech occallons a great Gonfufion in our No- tionSj by reprefenting feveral Things, fometimes by the fame, and fometimes by different Names. As for inftance, we very ieldom diftinguifh between Vapours and Exhalations, or be- tween Exhalations and Steams ; and yet by diftinguilhing be- tween them, we ftiould not only come to fpeak more cor- rectly, but to think alfo more juftly, that is in a Manner more correfpondent with the Operations of Nature. Steams I pre- fume are, properly fpeaking, fuch Collections of EfHuAnIa as are thrown out of this Globe, by the internal Heat of the Earth itfdf. Exhalations again are finall Particles detached both from moift and dry Bodies by the ACtion of Heat, as for inftance the Sun- Beams. And laftly, both Steams and Exhalations become Vapours ; when being rariiied to a certain Degree, they afcend up into the Air, where as they rife higher they become Clouds : But if the Air is fo difpofed, as inftead of fuffering them to rife, they are precipitated towards the Earth, they then became Mifts and Fogs. We may from this Account of the Matter eafily conceive, that very thick Fogs may be produced, in difTerent Climates, by very different Caufes. For in warm Countries, where the Earth is in a manner always open, the Steams that it throws out plentifrilly may at certain Seafons create great Fogs ; "wrhereas in cold Countries, where the Earth is in a great Mea- fure bound up by continual Frofts, this Caufe cannot take Place, at leaft in any great Degree. Yet from the Water while it remains unfroze, fuch Steams arife very copioufly, as is ft very a cends vcr the Ice is halations i iiderable, the vaft on the L confequen much fpo Straits, It is aJl attribute and Parafc and Mock take notici bright Spc i-ally feen lipated, ai terruption. Fogs, and Fog Sceffet the Fog, 1 thefe App< the Figure Fluid, whi but conteni chiefly on a Part oft has been n tended to i Notice, ii What mind of ar try, or at me very fii than in an though to fcrves to 1 obferved 1 ferve as ar the Air in Purpofes. Barbadoes the Mater thv Dobbs and Califorrtla. fs of thtf ps it hO' i by our are near alfo ob- ch moid IS to wet from it's apable of cr Handy to bring e Caufe j fcquently aufe they } ve kept the com^ our No- the fame, we very 5, or be- iihing be- lore cor- ner more ms I pre- fHuvia as at of the detached Heat, as ams and a certain tfe higher as inftead vards the conceive. Climates, where the it throws It Fogs ; reat Mea- mot take ic Water ioufly, 9& b '¥■ 131 •;; h very apparent from what is called Froft Sinoak, tvhich af* cends very confpicuoufly even in the hardeft Winters, where Ihe Ice is broke. But then in Northern Countries, the Ex* halations and the Steams in the Summer Months are very con- Uderable, and the Coldnefs of the Air, occafioned chiefly by the vaft Quantities, of floating Ice, and the Ice Mountains on the Land, hinders thefc Exhalations from dilTipating, and confequently is the Caufe of thofe Mifls and Fogs that are lb much fpoken of in all Accounts of Hudfon*s Day^ HudforHs Straits, Neufoundiand, ebc. It is alfo unto this Denfenefs in the Air, that we ought to attribute thofe Appearances, which the Learned call Parhelia and Parafelenae ; or, as our Sailors flile them, Mock Suns, and Mock Moons ; and having this Opportunity, I cannot but take notice, that to this Cpufe alfo we ought to afcribe certaiii bright Spots, like tliC Tail of a Rainbow, which artf gene-* i*ally feen near the Hcriz^n, when Fogs are almoft totally dif- llpated, and thr ^ays of ihn Sun are tranfmitted without in- terruption. Ou» Sailors fancy, that thefe drive away the Fogs, and have therefore beftowed on them the Name of Fog Scoffers ; whereas in reality they are the laft Remnants of the Fog, that by a Reverberation of the Sun Beams, produce thefe Appearances. I fliall not pretend to fay any Thing of the Figure of the Air, or of the continual Circulation of that Fluid, which is very rationally maintained by fome great Men, but content myfelf with thefe Obfervations, which arc grounded chiefly on my own Experience, and make therefore naturally a Part of this Relation, fince they belong to a Subjeft, which has been more or lefs treated of by every Writer, that has pre- tended to give an Account of what appeared moft worthy of Notice, in viflting thefe Seas. What I have been faying in relation to Fogs puts me hi mind of another Circumfhince relating to the Air of this Coun- try, or at leaft of thofe Parts, which I vidted, that appears to me very fingular, which is, that Metals are lefs ^t to ruft here, than in any other Climate, where I have been ; and this alfo, though to many it may appear trivial, is a Matter that de- . lerves to be enquired into ; for if there be a great Diiference obferved In the ruling of Metals in feveral Climates, it may ferve as an Indication of the fimilar or diflimilar (polities of the Air in thofe Places, which may be applied to feveral uleftil Purpofes. Mr. Richard Ligon, who compiled an Account of BairbadoeSf about a hundred Years ago, for he began to collet th€ Materials for his Hidory in the Year 1648, telU us, that K a tb< :il!l m 132 ^he Lafl Expedition in the Moifture of the Air, was at that Time fo great, as to caufe their Knives, Keys, Needles, Swords, 6c. toruft, and that in an Inftant ; for, fays he, take your Knife to the Grind- ftone, and grmd away all the Ruft, which done, wipe it dry and put it vip into your Sheath, and fo into your Pocket, and in a very little Time draw it out, you fhall find it beginning to ruft all over, which in more Time, will eat deep into the Steel, and fpoil the Blade. He adds that Locks too, that are not often made Ufe of, will ruft in the Wards, and fo become u»elefs ; and Clock? and Watches will feldom or never go true ; all which is occafioned by the Moiftnefs of the Air. He far- ther obferves, that before their Arrival at this Ifland, they took Notice of the like EfFecls at Sea, when they had for four or fivi Days together, what the Seamen call hazy Weather, which he very particularly defcribes, and urges it as a Proof that this ruftirg of Metals, v. as owing entirely to the Air's Moifture. It muft be acknowledged that Moifture being the Caufe of Ruft, may be ftiled not only a prevailing, but in fome Meafure, a general Opinion, and there is no doubt that this large, par- ticular, andpofitive Relation of Mr. Ligon's, has been thought a decifive Proof of it. I remember that upon mentioning my Obfervation, that Metals were lefs apt to nift in the Coun- tries about Hudfonh-Bayj than elfewhere, to one who is a very ingenious and very intelligent Perfon, he immediately mentioned his having made the fame Remark in Ruffiaf adding that he looked upon this to proceed from the Drynefs of the Air. I make no doubt that both thefe Gentlemen may be in the right, or in other Words, that Metals ruft in BarbadoeSy from the Moifture, and are free from Ruft in Rujjia, from the Drynefs of the Air. But It is a great doubt with m6, whether this general Notion of Humidity being the Caufe of Ruft, will account for what I obferved, or even fo much as agree with it. It is very certain, that the Air, in the Coun- tries about Hudfon'S'Bay, is rather moift than dry, and what I have before faid of the frequent Mifts and Fogs, is lufficient to ftiew that it muft be fo : Neverthelefs Metals do not i-uft here as in othet Places. May we not infer from hence, that mere Moifture is not the Caufe of Ruft, . tho' feldom or never occafioned without Moifture ? Whoever carefully examines Ruft, will find that it is a Solution of the fupeificial Parts of the Metal, fiom which it Arifes, by fome fluid Menftruum. It does not however fol- low from hence, that all Fluids will caufe Ruft, or which is itie fame thing corrode and difTolve the fupeificial Parts of Metal ; &■ Metal; So pcrty, tha purfue this that Oil, this Effca for it will them from as are the bable from Salts? Ma firmed in are made fleeting 01 JL.ead^ wh produced I preferves I and entan fafely colic ftruum of But to all the Lig let us obfei times afts in luch a which is I that it ma Fluid; for and Metal Countries this, (tho' loaded wi have the fa of Barbae Air, arec feft, othe a Kind of fince it ha pable of! of Salts in a Matt too prefui mark, th great Me this Oc<; liable, th the Dobbs and California. I3J Metal ; for we know that Oil is fo far from having this Pro- perty, that it is applied to Metals to prevent Ruft. If we purfue this a little farther, and enquire how it comes to pafs, that Oil, or indeed any kind of grcafy Unguent, comes to have this Effect, we fliall be let ibmewhat more into the Secret ; for it will dien appear, that Oil prcfervcs Metals by defending them from the Contaft of fuch Par Jcles in aqueous Fluids, as are the real Caufes of Ruft. Now is it not extremely pro- bable from all this, that thefe Particles are no other than acid Salts? May we not be led to this Opini n, or at leaft con- firmed in it, by confidering, that the Solutions of all Metals are made by acid Menftruums, and more efpecially by re- flecting on the known and common Method of making wh^te JL.ead^ which i^ no other than a Ruft or Solution of that Metal produced by Vinegar ? Do we not fee from hence, that Oil prefcrves Metals by it's known Quaiky of Iheathing, blunting, and entangling acid Salts ? Surely we may from hence very fafely coUeft, that it is not barely Humidity, but a fluid Men- ftruum of a certain kind that caufes Ruft. '~ - But to make this Sub;e6l ftiil clearer, or rather to give all the Light into it that can be derived from my Obfervation ; let us obferve, that tho' Air is a Fluid, and that tho* it fome- times afts upon Metals, indeed it commonly afts upon then^ in Ivich a manner, as to diflblve their fuperficial Particles, which is precifely the fame Thing that is meant, when we fay, that it makes them ruft ; yet it does not do this barely as a Fluid } for then Air would every where have the fame Effeft, and Metals would ruft as much in RuJJ7a, as in any of the Countries near the Line. Neither is Air capable of doing this, (tho' the contrary Is commonly imagined) by it's being loaded with aqueous Particles ; for humid Air would then have the fame EiFeft in Hudfort^s-Bay, as it has upon the Coafts of Barbadoes, But if thofe aqueous Particles that float in the Air, are charged with acid Salts, then it will produce this Ef- fect, otherwile not. Thus we fee that Metals may be made alCind of Standard of the Quality of the Air, m this Refpeft; fince it has been plainly made appear, that they are very ca- pable of fliewing, whether they abound with a certain Kind of Salts or not. I would not willingly go out of my Depth in a Matter of this Nature ; but I hope I ftiatfnot be thought too prefuming, if I put the Reader in Mind of a former Re- mark, that Fogs may be caufed in very hot Countries, in a great Meafure, by Steams from the Earth, and add to it upon " 3iis Oc^afion another Hbt, that it is not in the leaft impro- liable, that thefe Steams may load the Aii with an extraor- I \\ 'f, ■ .1. ■■■^ -'^iN^i .i>'' 134 the Lafl Expedition in dioary Quantity of thefe acid Salts, which on the contrary may not rife fo plentifully in thefe Northern Regions, where the Water often, and the Earth always, is locked up by Cold, and where the Heat of the Sun may be prefumed to raife only the more aqueous Parts, This Method of Reafoning feems to be fupported from an Experiment made by that diligent and accurate Enquirer af- ter Truth, the Learned and Reverend Dr. Hales, who, in diftilling Salt Water with a View to make it frefh, found that g moderate Heat anfwered much better than one more quick and violent ; the Water that came over the Still with the for- mer being perfeftly frefh, whereas the latter was brackifh, Jt*is alfo very polTible, that the Heat of the Air may in fome ineafure operate upon Metals, more efpecially their Superfi- cies, by opening the Pores, and fo dilpofing them to receive .» larger Quantity of that acid Spirit of S^t, raifed by the ftrong Aftion of the Sun into the Atpiofpherc, a$ hath beeri before mentioned. Having thus contributed my Mite towards the Improve- ment of the Hiftory of the Air, which is a thing ofllich high Gonfequence in Natural philofophy, I (hall remm to the Nar- ration of the few Things worth Notice in the remaining Part of •qur Voyage, On dhe 9th of September, about Break of Day, we fell in- to a prodigious flrong Ripling, and the Sea broke terribly a- board of us on all Sides, This was occafioned by the Tides fetting (brongly againft.a pretty briflc Wind, and the like Ri- pling is frequently met with from the very fame Gaufe in o- ther Places } as for inflance, near Hofy-head'm our own Seas ; in the Gulph of Fhrida, in North America; and in many o- ther Places, but in a lefs degree than we experienced it. I mention this, becaufe it was f *om hence that we judged our- felves to be near the Iflands of Refolution, and accordingly we took our Departure from hence, though we did not aftually fee the Land. At this time there were feveral large Ice-Moun- tabs floating in fight, but we very foon left them behind us,^ a3 we began now to enter into a warmer Glimate. I cannot call it a milder, becaufe we foon afterwards experienced as tempeftuous A^ather as any we had met with in thofe Nor- thern Seas, of which fuch horrid Defcriptions have been given by fome W^riters. On the iQth we parted again from the Hu^onH-Bay Ships. On the 1 1 th one of our Men died, who had long lingered under all the affliy Cold, aife only from an juirer af- who, in )und that 3re quick I the for- brackifti, in (bme Superfi- o receive by the lath been [mprove- fuch high the Nar- g Part of ire fell in- jrribly a- he Tides like Ri. lufe in O" vn Seas ; many o-. cd it. I Iged our- iTngly we t adhially e-Moun- ehind uSj^ I cannot lenced as jfe Nor- ;en given y Ships, lingered In the ;hich we ffcftsof which ir. which we were very near lofing all our Mafts, very few of the Hands on board the Dobbs Galley being able to keep the Deck, T^ich w^a the Reafon that proper Meafures could not be tak- en, as otherwife might have been, for preventing fo great a Misfortune. But fortunately for us, the Malls efcaped beyond our £xpe^ation ; and we fuffered nothing farther than what was tht Refult of our own Apprehenfions, which were melan- choly enough for fome Hours. This Gloominefs was not a little heightened by our Separation from the California in the midft of this Storm, and 'we did not fee her again till we arriv- ed in the Orkney Iflands. We were in fome meafure confol- cd for thefe unlucky Accidents by the return of fair Weather, which laflcd for about ten Days, and, as the Reader will eafi- ly conceive, afforded the highefl Satisfaction to People almoft worn out with continual Fatigues, and diftreffed befides by the Ravages made by the Scurvy, which it is well known weakens People more than almoft any other Diftemper, to which the human Body is liable. On the lift we joined again the two Hudfon^s-Bay Com- pany's Ships, from which as I obferved, we parted on the i ith, and refolved to keep Company with them durmg the Remain- der of the Voyage, as indeed we did. On the 26th we met with a fmall Fleet from ^c Orkneys bound to the Weftward. On the 28th we arrived and anchored at Car^own in the Ifland of Pomona, where, to our great Joy, the California al(b arriv- ed the next Day, from whom we had been feparated about a Fortnight. We continued in thi« Harbour about a Week, and on the 6th of O^ober, failed from thence in Company with the California and four Hudfon*s-Bay Ships, under the Convoy of his Majefty's Ships the Afercwry or twenty Guns, and arrived fafely in Tarmouth Road on the 14th of the fame Month, after an Abfence of one Year, four Months, and feventeen Days, having failed from thefe Roads on the 17^ of May, 1746. Thus ended a Voyage of very great ExpedVation, not only here, but throughout the greateft Part oi Europe, more eipe- cially the Maritime Countries, where the Defign, its Nature, Confequences, and their great Importance were beft under- ftood. Thus, I fay, ended this Voyage without Succefs in* deed, but not without EfFe6t ; for though we did not difcover a North Weft PafTage, yet were we fo far from difcovering the ImpofTibility or even Improbability of it, that on the con- trary, we returned with clearer and fuller Proofs, founded on the only Evidence that ought to take Place in an Enquiry of this Na^re, plain Fa£b, and accurate Experiments, that evidently fhew fuch a Faifage there may be. What thefe are, K 4 and "•In I : i hi 13^ ^he Laf Expedition in an4 after what mannc* they are to be applied to the Purpofcs J>efore-mentioned, (hall be the Bufinefs of the remaining Pa- ges, which it is hoped will give full Satisfaft'^on to every ^o^- nentin did Reader. I' ,iH» i' r^i ^. >K'/''iJ|l' THE '•ri %i:; THIRD PART; COMPIIEHENDING, Sftcb Arguments, drawn from Matters of Fa5f^ as ferve to Jhew the great Probability of a Pajfage by " the North Weft into the South Seas, notwithftand- ing the fame was not a^nally difcovered in the Lafi Expedition, AS in the firft Part, the Motives which originalty ex*. cited the Hopes of difcovering a North Weft Paf- fage, have been fufficiently explained, and inliiled upon ; and in the fecond Part a diftin6t Account has been given, how far the Expeftations entertauied of find- ing a PaHage in certain Parts, have been exam vied, and found to be without Grounds ; I come next to infift particularly on thofe Reafons that feem to perfwade us ftill, that fuch a Paf- fage may yet be found ; and that there is nothing abfurd, or even improb^bje, in fuppofing that, with no great Expence, ^e finding it may be fuccefsfully attempted ; and that too without expofing fuch as are fent upon this Expedition, to any extraordinary Dangers, or exceffive Fatigues. Thefe i^ea- fons ftiall be (diiefly drawn from Matters of Faft, which fell immediately under my own Notice and Obfervation in the la(| Expedition ; and which, as I fhall fincerely relate, I flatter myielf it will appear, that I am no Way mifled by any fan- guine Expeftations of my own, as with the utmoft Truth I can affirm, that there is nothing farther fron^ my Intentions^, ^an in any Degree to miflead others. It is a Fa£t lb well eftablifbed, as not to be drawn in Queftir on, that in Countries of narrow Extent, which are either Pe- pinfulas or Iflands, there are no Trees, but only a kind of Bu/hes and Underwood ; notwithftanding that," on the Conti- neat in tne JohnN t the Str fe fuch a W Iflands; K Subjea B gumeift K Gountr K is kno\ B have be H fixty-oi H vifibly i ■ Wood, IP ry fmal 1 ^here a fe Nor^vay i Ruflan 1 reaches 1 on the ( 1 ought tl 1 |n thefe not, as |i more pi 1 Countri 1 Wefterr I have, {; , fince it terpurg \ €nces^ 1 but Cor 1 is great* ' Tot we live( North kind of nefs of arifmg anothei of this or in o Are no j|,, -well as K -where ■ fuch £ ibe Dobbs and California. '37 Purpofes ling Pa- ery coq- 19 ifH ^a^y as ijfage by ihjiand" lally exi; ^f/ Paf- d infiiled Account of find- nd found ilarly on haPaf- furd, or ixpence, lat too to any I^ea- lich fell the laft I flatter iny fan-: ruth I ijtionS;^ Quefti- ler Pe- dnd of Conti- nent nentinthe fame Latitude, there grows as fine Timber as any in the World. One might mention the Obfervatiops of Sjp John Narborough, in his accurate Account of his Voyage to the Streights of Magelloftf and many other Authorities ; but fuch as are at all acquainted with the Shetland and Orkney Iflands, will think it prcpofteroua to multiply Proofs upon this Subject. It may from hence be laid down as a rational Ar- gumetft, that where, upon full Examination, it appears, a Country is deftitute of Wood, in a Climate in which Timber is known to flourifh, it has a Sea on both Sides. Now we have before informed the Reader, that from, the Longitude of fixty-one Degrees North, all kind of vegetable Produftions vifibly (hrunk and dwindled, and that initead of Trees and Wood, we met only with Shrubs and Byfties, and thofe ve. ry fmall; yet it is very well known, that in higher Latitudes, there are great Woods of large and excellent Timber^ in Nonvay, Swedettf Lapland, and all the Territories of the Ruffian, Empire, through that vaft Traft of Country that reaches to the Sea oi Japan, If therefore there were no Sea on the other Side, but a very Traft of Land to the Wcftwgrd, ought there not to be the like Plenty of Timber within Land, ^n thefe Countries that border upon Hudfonh-E>ay ? If there be jiot, as moft certainly there is not, can we affign any better or more probable Reafon for fo manifeft a Difference, between Countries under the fame Climate, than the Vicinity of a Weftem Ocean ? Neither will it ferve as an Anfwer to what I have advanced, to mention the great Cold of this Climate ; fince it clearly appears, from a Work lately publiflied at Pe- terjhurghf by a Member of the Imperial Academy of Sci^ €nces, and under their Dire£tion ; that not only Vegetablesjj but Com grows in fome Part of Kantfchatjka, tho* £e Cold is greater there, than upon the Coafts of Hudfon^s^Bay, To this, I crave leave to add another Remark, that while we lived in Montague -Houfsy it was conftantly obferved diat North Weft Winds brought with them much of that dufty kind of Snow, into which by Experience we knew the Goldi- nefsof the Winter- Air converted the Froft- Smoke or Steams arifing from open Waters. May not this therefore pafs for another probable Reafon to conclude, that to the North Wefl of this Country, there muft be a large Body of open Water, or in other Words, a Weftem Ocean at no great Diftance ? Are not thefe Arguments very confiftent with each other, as; well as with the ufual Operations of Nature in other Places, where the Caufes that are here fuppofed, are known to produce fuch Effe^s as th^fe ? W^ it not natural fox us^ while in ^ ;• '^ thefe 1 38 The Lafl Expedition in thefe Parts, and employed upon fuch an Expedition, to make . every Remark in our Power of this Nature, and cui any Man be blamed for framing his Sentiments as his Reafon directs bim, after examining, comparing and weighing with the ut- moft Circumfeeftion, fuch Remarks I Is not this the mo(l na- lural and probable Method of coming at Trutli in fuch Cafes, and does not Experience (hew, that the greated and moft va- luable Difcoveries have been made by thefe Means ? ♦Or if Fafts of a contrary Nature had occurred to our Obfervation, vrould they not have been urged by dich as oppofed this De- lign, to prove the Suppofitign of a WcAern Ocean abfurd or improbable ? Thb next thing to be confidered, is the Face and Appear- ance of tl>e Country ; from whence alfo fome probable Con- je£hires may be made ; fuice we know from Experience, that moil Countries in the World, which lie between two Seas, have a Ridge of Hills, or high Mountains in the middle, and a Defcent on each Side towards the Coafls, and this fo far as we had any Opportunity of obferving it, is adhially the Cafe here ; and the plained View we ever had, which was in our Faflage u^lVager-Bi^, gave us the moft convincmg Proof in this Refpeft ; for at our firft Entrance of the Bay, the Land was but low, yet fwelled by Degrees, one Mountain rifing behind another ; When we advanced confiderably up the Bay, we could plainly difcem, that there was a regular Declcnfion on the other Side, and the whole appeared to our View not unlike the Drafts of the JJihmus of Darien, which connefts North and South America. This alfo corrcfponds exaAly with the Accounts that have been given at the Factories, by the Southern Indians, who con- ftantly affirm that a great Ocean lies but at a fmall Diflance from their Country, towards the Sun's fetting, in which they have feen Ships, and on board them Men having large Beards and wearing Caps . Nay, fome of thefe Indians, who never had icen an Engli^ Ship have drawn the Figure of one upon the Rocks at Churchill, which will appear le(s wonderful to the intelligent Reader, if he confidcrs, that this painting or repre- fenting the Likenefs of Objefts, that furprlze them, is a Thing natural to moft Nations, which have not attained the Ufe of Letters ; as appears by what the Spanifh Hiftorian tells us of the Indians in Mexico, fending to their Emperor Montezuma the Reprefentation of Ferdinand Cortez his Ships and Men, when they firft arrived upon their Coafts. To this give me leave to add, what Sir 7^"** Narborough tells us of the Savages near the Streighis oi Magellan, who made the Figure of his Ship, /i&^ Dobbs W California. 13^* 8hip, Vith Earth and Bushes, andAuck up Pieces of Sdcks for Marts, which he imagined they did, to prefervc the Re- membriincc of their having leen it ; for, fays he very judici- ou/ly, they cannot have any Records but by Imitation. If therefore thofe Savages did it, why might not thefe ? And if thefe Indiam could paint a Ship, they muft certainly have feen It. Others again have brought down to the Foftories white Salt, which they affirmed was made by the Heat of the Sun on the Rocks, upon the Coalts of the other Ocean. I have joined thefe Teftimoiiies together, becaufe they ftrengthen and confirm each other, and in a Cafe of this Nature, I cannot fee what better Evidence we can have, than the Face or Ap- pearance of the Country, explained by the Voice of its Inha- bitants. But after all that has been faid, it muft be allowed, that if our Conjeftures were ever fo true, they would amount to no more than affording a probable Proof of this Country's having a Sea on both Sides, and make nothing for a Paffage, from one Sea to tht other, which is what we are principally concern- ed about ; for if there be no Paflage, or if that Paflage be a very long one, in a very high Northern Latitude, or very dif» ficult, and encumbered, our Difcovery might be thought of very little Confequence j and tho* perhaps it would not be difficult to fhew, that this Conclufion would be hafty and ill gounded, becaufe many Advantages might arife to the Trade of this Nation, from the finding a fhort Paffage from one Sea to the other, over Land, yet not to infift upon this for the p.efent, I fliall proceed to offer, what to me appears to be t'le cleareft and moft convincing Proofs, not only that there Is fuch a Pafjfagc from one Sea to the other, but that it is fliort, open and commodious. This may appear fomethingftranse, confidering that we confefs that we have no diftin^ Knowledge of the Place, where this Paffage lies ; but when the Reaoer has examined what wp have to offer, he will determine for himfelf how far this Promife is made good ; and all I deflre of him atprefent is, to confider that the Difcovery of a new World, was much more improbable, when Columhus attempt* ed and accomplifhed that Difcovery, and that Cofinography and Navigation have fince that Time been very much im- proved. As the Proofs that we have promifed, depend entirely on the Doctrine of Tides, it is abfolutely neceflary that before *wft come to the Proofs themlelves, fomething fhould be faid up* on this Subjeft in general; for otherwife, how certain foever theic Proofs mi§ht be, the Force of them would not be felt I 111 140 ^e Laft Expedition in by the Reader, U js however far from my Intention, »| |n4eed it is far beyond my Abilities, to enter mto a general Explanation of the Caufes of Tides, and of the fe- veral Variations to which they are fubjeft; but what I pro^ pofe is, to take Notice only of a few Points, which are ge- ijerally known to, and acknowledged by Seamen, without the Knowledge of which, it would be impoffible for the? i to manage their VeflTels, and from their conflant Obfervation and Praftice of which, they have all the Certainty about |h^m* tb?* is requifite to render them fit Topicks of reafon- ing, ia a Cafe of this Nature. In the firft Place then, it is certain, that Tides are propag?.ted from the great Ocean, or feneral Gojleftion of Waters, into particular Seas, in 'roportion to the Ncamefs and Opennefs of thofe Seas to the Ocean, from whence the Tides come. It is for this ^eafpo, that fuch as are called Inland Seas, which have ei- iher no vjfible Communication with the Ocean, or only a fingle and fmall Paflage into it, have fcarce any Tides j or IP. other Words, the Tide in fuch Seas is hardly perceptible : As for Inftance, in the Mediterranean, which flows from Weft to liaft; and through the Straits of Gibraltar ^ there is no fen- Cble Tide at all; it may, perhaps, increafc a little, but in the main it is not difcernible, except in the Gulph of Venice , where th?re is a finall Agitation perceived, that may be af^ Cribed to the Length and Narrownefs of the Way, which in the broader Parts of the Mediterranean is no where percep- tible J and even that is governed by particular Winds, The Flux and Reflux of the Sea was therefore unknown to the Grecians f except the irregular Current at the Euripui • and for this R^afon the Army of Alexander the Great was lb much aftoniihed at the Ebbing of the Sea, in the Mouth of the Rivcf Indus, that they took it for a Prodigy. The Ro- mans alfo w?'e unacquainted with Tides in the Time o(Scipio jtfricanus ; but after the Wars with Carthage, their Know- ledge, as wpU as their Conquefts grew more extenfive, I mention thefe Inftances to fatisfy the Reader of the Truth of this particular Faft, that Tides are infenfible in Inland Seas; fdr if they had not been fo, we may be very fure,thatfo inqui- litive and leai-ned a Nation as the Greeks, and fo thinking, and fo judicious a People as the Romans, could not have been ignorant of them, or of their Caufes; and that they were ig» tiorant, appears from their Surprize, at their firft Acquaintance with them. The fame Thing that is faid of the Mediier^ rmean, may be alfo faid of the Dallick, and for the feme Caufcj It 1» the'Dohh^ and California. Hi Caufe>* and in ftiort of every Inland Sea, with which we afe at all acquainted. IK the next Place, there is nothing better known, Ivikit Regard to Tides, than that this undeniable Maxim in Philofophy takes Place in them, that the nearer the Caufe, the ftrongec the EfFeft; that is io fay, the Tides are higher and earlier in Places, at a finall Diftance from the Ocean, and lower and later in thofe at a greater Diftance, as is very evident from the regular Progrefs of the Tides along the Goafh of Great* Britain : Thus at the Full and Change it is High Water at Tin* mouth-Barf at Three in the Morning; from thence rolling Southvardy it makes High Water at Spurn a little after Five % but not till Six at Hully becaufe of the Time required for its Paflage up the Number. In Yarmouth-Road, it is High Wa- ter a little after Eight j at Harwich, at half an Hour after Ten ; at the Nore, at Twelve ; at Crave/end, at half an Hour paft One ; and at London at Three the fame Day. In like man- ner, Tides rife higher or lower, at the fame Time, upon dif*» ferent Parts of the Coaft, in Proportion to their Diftances from the Ocean. It is alfo obferved, that ftrong Winds, blowing with the Tide, raife it higher than, according to the ordinary. Rules it ought to rife ; and high Winds contrary to the Tide, retard or deprefs it. x hefe plain and general Principles being laid down, we will now endeavour, by the Help of them, to difcover what we ought to thmk of Ifud- fon^s-Bay, from the Obfervations that have been made of the Tides upon tlie fcveral Parts of its Goads. In the firft Place, I muft take leave to obferve, that for any^thing yet known, if we exclude a Communication through a North Weft Paflage with the South Sea, Hudfon*s-Bay may be as juftly ftiled an Inland Sea, as the Mediterranean ; and ^vith more Propriety than the Baltick; fince it has no othec Communication with the Ocean, than by Hudfon*s- Straits, I know very well, that it is commonly fuppofed, that Hudr fof^s-Bay communicates with Bafinh-Bay and D avisos-Straits ; and I am very fenfible that in many if not in moft Maps, it is laid down fo j but upon what Authority this is aflerted on one Side, or reprefented on the other, I muft freely confefs my Ignorance; tho' if It were fo, my Arguments muft ftill have their Weight ; but 'till it is proved fo, I think there is no Reafon to admit it, and therefore I repeat it, that if tliere be ao North -Weft Paflage, Hudfov^s-Bay is, and ought to be conftde.sd as an Inland Sea. , Yet I muft obferve, that I do not pretend to fay, that be- f aufe it is as much an Inland Sea as the Mediterranean, it ought I ] li 1 ' ii^ I4» The tali Eitpeditidn in ought to have no Tide ; bccaufe as Hudfon^s-Straiti are w'ldtf^ and as this Bay is extended from Eaft to Weft, it is very rea- fonable to fuppofe that the Tides fhould be very perceptible } but then they ought to be fuch as may in other Refpedls confift with that GauTe, from which they are fuppofed to be derived ; or in other Words the Tide in Hudfon's-Bay muft be fuch a Tide as might be propagated from the Ocean, through Hu^w's-Straits j and if it be not fuch a Tide, the Reader will ealily fee, that there cannot be any thing more irrational or abfurd, than to Infift upon this Gaufe ; and that it is very little lefs ablurd to hava Recourfe to the Suppofition of frozen Straits, and other oc- cult Caufes, in order to defeat or difcourage our Search after die true Caufe. This is all I defire to be granted me^ and this^ I think, no reafonable or ingenuous Enquirer after Truth will think fit to deny me. To come then to the Point, it was held requifite in the lad Expedition, and a Refolution to that Purpofe was inferted in an A6t of Council, to try the Tide at Gary -Swanks -NeJ}, which is near Hu^on^s-Straits, where if the Tide came from the Ocean through them, it ought to be highefl; but this Was not done, and therefore we muft rely on the Account gi' ven us by Capt. FaXy who informs us, that upon Tryal, it was found to rife fix Feet. We will now compare this with the Obfervations made in the laft Expedition. I tryed the Tide upon an Ifland in the Latitude of 62°. 2', North, and found it rife ten Feet. I likewife tryed it in the Latitude of 6^^. on the Weft Coaft of the Welcome ^ where it rofe thir- teen Feet, and to the Northward of this, it rofe feventeen Feet, which is a very clear Proof, that this 1 ide could not be caufed by that, which is propagated through /T/^^^n's -iS/r<7/Vj- cut of the Ocean ; for if the Tides in thofe Latitudes had been from that Caufe, they muft have been proportionably» lower than the Tide at Cary-Siuan^s-NeJ} ; and as on the con- trary, diey are much higher all along the Welcome^ it is utterly irreconcileable to Senfe and Experience, that a Tide flowing fo far, filling fo many Bays, and meeting with fo many Ob- firuftions, mould rife higher and higher ; but what carries this to a Degree of Demonftration, is the Obfervations that have been made of the Height of the Tide in the /Atlantic Ocean, before it enters Hudfon^-Strttits^ for there it has been found to rife five Fathoms, whereas a liitle within the Bay, it hardly rifes two Fathoms. It would be needlefs to infift farther upon this, fince nothing that can be faid would contribute to make It dearer, udiefs it be, that thofe who deny the Communi- cation between Hudfon*S'Bay and the South-Sea, are forced to have Recourfe to an unducovered Straity fuppofed to lead from the Dobbs and California. Hi from Baffnh'Bay into Hudfon*s-Bay; which is a plain Ad- tniflion, that the Tides in the fVeicome, are not to be ac- counted for, from the Communication with die Atlantic Oce- an, through the Straits of Hud/on.' In Anfwer to which, for the prefent, there is no need to fay any thing more, than that we are not bound to confider this Caufe, 'till that Strait (hall be difcovered, and when that be will nobody can tell; but as I hinted before, tho* we are not bound to ^ve any other An- fwer, yet hereafter a more fatisfaftory Anfwer ihall be gi- ven. "We will next confider the Time of High Water, and the Direction of the Tides; for having now fhewn that the Height of them alone, is a Proof fufficlent that they cannot be propagated through Hud/on^s-Straitf, from the jtalantic Ocean, it becomes reafonabie fo to order our Enquiries, as that we may know from whence they Come< i muft there- fore obferve, that upon trying the Tide, in thr Latitude of 62**. 2'. the fame Tryal was made, anH ihe Flood found to come from the Northward, making High Water at five of the Clock. At Cape Fry, 64". 30'. North upon trying the Tide, I found it came from the Northward » according to the Direftion of the Coaft, and the Time of High Water, at Full and Change, was at three of the Clock. In the La- titude of 63». North, the fame Tryal was made, and the Tide was ftill round to Come from the Northward* If there- fore any Judgment can be formed, either from the Direfti- on, or from the Time of the Tide in thefe Parts of Hudfori^s- Bay, it is moft evident, that it comes from the Noith and North Weft, but can never come from the j^tlantlc Ocean ; for then In advancing into higher Latimdes, High Water would be later and later, whereas the Reader will obferve, that we found it to be juft the contrary. It is very probable, that this Direftion of the Tide might firft occafion that Opinion, which has prevailed of Hudforf%- Bay, communicating with a Northern Ocean, through Baffin's' Bay, and Davh^s-Straits ; which long age, and before this Bay was fo well knbwn, might be well enough excufed ; but at prefent, when thefe Things are fo much better underftood, to talk of thefe, !s irrational ; and to infift either on frozen or unknown Straits, is not quite fo pardonable ; for if occult Qualities are juftly banifhed out of Philofophy, all fuppofi- tlous Caufes fhould be exploded, in Cafes of this Nature, where they can never ferve any other Purpofe, than hiding Ig- norance, or obfcuring Truth. Now to avoid any Imputation of this Sort, and to fulfil the Promife formerly made the Reader, i 144 ^^^ ^^fi Expedition in' \ AciMcIef, it fliali be clearly (hewii, that the Tides cannot cdmfi from Baffin^^'Day, or Davif's-Strait, We are aflured, thai in the former, the Tide rofe hardly fix Feet; and Baffin him- fejf, in his Letter to Sir John Wolftonhohne ^ iaj s exprelly^ that isi DiA)is^s*Siraits, the Tides keep a certain Gourfe, yet rife bMt a fmall Height^ as eight or nine Feet, and the Flood comes from the Southward; now as all Tides in going from the Oceani which is their Source, gradually decreafe^ by filling Bays and Inlets in their Paflage ; it is very clear that if the Tide rofe to three Fathoms in Baffin^s-Bay, it could not, even fup- pofiilg a Communication, raife the Water in the Welcome one JFathom* This therefore cannot be the Gaufe ^ fince the Ef^ feft is not only, greater than this Gaufe could produce, but even greater than the Gaufe itfelf; which is a manifcft Ab- furdity. We may add to this, that according to all the Ac- counts Wd have of the Tides in the Northern Seas, as on the Coafts of Nova Zenilfla, Spitzbergen and Ctoenland, they are lower than We aftuaily found them in the JVelcotne • fo that either we muft relinquiih all the Principles of lOiowledgCj that the Sagacity of the wifeft Men, joined to the conft^it Experience of the ableft Seamen, have in a long Gourfe of Time eftabliftied, or we muft rejeft this Notion of the Tides coming from Davis^s-'Stfaits, through Baffin^s-Bay, into Hud- fon'S'Nmh-Ba^j. ^ It may be mid, that this is a negative Ai'gumeht only, and that it does not direftly prove any Gommunication with the South^Sea, as was promifed. To anfwer this j we need onhr defire the Reader to caft his Eye upon the Ghart> and fatisfy himfelf whether if this Tide comes not from the Atlantic or the Northern Ocean, it can come from any other Sojrcfi than the ^outh-'Sea, or from thence by any other Means than through a North Weft Pafllagej yet to fliew that this Truth wants not any kind of Prpof^ that can be aflced for, we will not reft this Part of our Cauie upon an Anfwer, which rho' conclufive la itfelf may not feem to be fuch a one, as might have been e3q)efted ; but proceed farther, and produce incon- tcftable Evidence, in fupport of what«we alFeit. This is fvumilhed by a Fa£t certified under the Hands of all who iff^tfi Members of the Council, in the laft Expedition, which is, that North WeftWinds make the higheft Tides every where upon thefe GQafts. Now this, which I venture to fay^ is a Fa6t out of all doubt, renders it clear that thefe high Tides cannot come frora the Alantic Ocean, through thtf Straits of Hudfon; for if they did, a South Eaft Wind would make them higheft } from the Principle before Uid. down, that that a Wiady. blowing with the fame Dire^Dn> as the Tide Kaifes it, and a North, Weft Wind would be fo far from doing this, that it would actually retard and de{>refe it, as being op. pofite to it's- Oiredlion ; and. as, we know by Experience the contrary of this to be tru3, we oug^t to conclude, that tJie Tide comes from a Weftern Ocean, fince there is no other Way of accounting for this Wind's making the higheft Tides. Neither ought it to be efteemed any Obje£Hon to this, that the Weftem Ocean, or Smtk-^Of lies behind, or at the Back of thde Countries, and that therefore it might be expected a South Eaft Wind fhould make the higheft I'lde, by driving the Waves upon the opnofite Shors, I fay, neither ought this Opinion to have Weight, becaufe it is no more than, a Fallacy eafily difcover^lfc by Reafon, and capable of being fht wn fiich firom; Experience. Firft then as to Reafon ; that wind raifes the Tide higheft, which blows with the fame Pireftion as the Flood, and, this in wha: ver Direftion the Coaft may lie upon which the Tide rifes;. becaufe fuch a Wind brings with, it a great Quantity of Water, which alone can make the Jlood higher. The fame Thing we learn from Experi- OToe,. upon the Eaft Coaft of England, tho' the German Sea lies to the Eaftward ; yet North Weft Winds make the higheft Tides, becaufe the vaft Ocean from whence they are propa- gated', lies : on that Side. The Difficulty therefore thrown in the Way by this Otye "^ion, is fo plainly folved, that I may now fafely propofe it, as it has been explained by a matter of Faft, with which every Seaman is acquainted, as a new Proof; for without doubt, if a candid and able Judge of thefe Mat- ters was. to have the Thing ftated to him, from the Chart of Hudfon*s-Dayi with a North Weft PafFagc open through it, awd was to be afked what Wind muft occalion the highell Tides? he wouldi certainly anfwer a North Weft; and there- fore as the Faftis, that a North Weft Wind railes the high- eft Tides, on both Sides the Bay, it is, as I have faid, an- other, and indeed a moft convincing Argument, that this Tide comes from the Weftern Ocean, which is that we con)monly call the South-Sea. B.UT there want not other Arguments befides this; and be- caufe the Apprehenfions of Men, are as. different as their Taftes, it may not be amifs to mention forae of them ; not- withftanding what we have already faid, is abfolutely con- clufive ; ypt, for the Sake of Brevity, I will take Notice Qnly of three. Thc^rft is the Glearnefs and Saltnefs of the Water in xhG Welcome j which, when I trycd the Tide atCapei L Fry i 1^6 The Laft Expedition in Fry was fuch, that I could plainly fee to the Bottom, at the? Depth of eleven Fathon*, or fixty fix Feet. Every Body knows, that Deepnefs, Tranfparency and Saltnefs, are in- confiftent with the Notion of a Sea, filled with the Dif- charge of Rivers, melted Snow, and Rain ; and as ftrongly argue a Communication with the Ocean, as any Thing can do. The fecond Reafon arife from the ftrong Currents that fet through it, and keep it clear from Ice, fo that it is a fet- tled and indifputed Faft, that the Northern Part of the Bay, is perfeftly free and open, when the Southern is much em- barrafled with Ice ; or, in other Words, there is very little Ice to be met with in the Latitude of 64**. or 65®. tho* in the Latitude of ^2°. and 53*'. the Sea is much incumbered with it. Now whence thefe ftrong Currents ftiould come, that fet with fuch Rapidity through the Bay, unlefs from a Weftern Ocean, is inlcrutable. The third Reafon, and the laft that I fhall mention, is the Number of Whales, that are feen here more efpecially in the latter End of Summer ; when it is very well known, that all that Kind of Fifti retire into warmer Climates, and confequently it may be fairly pre- fumed, that thefe refort hither for that Purpofe ; and if fo, there muft a Pa/Iage, and that not into a Northern, but a Weftem Ocean; for Inftinit in thofe Animals, is anunerrbg ' Guide. We have now gone through the greateft Part of our Work, with as much Plainnefs and Perfpicuity, as the Subjeft would permit : We have (hewn, that there is the higheft Probability, from the Climate, the Produce, and the AppearanDe of tiie Country, on the Weft Side of Hudfori's-Bay ; that, as it has Part of the /Atlantic on one Side, it has alfo the South-Se3. on the other: We have ftiewn from the Height of the Tides, that this is almoft certain ; and from the Time in which they happen, the Direction of them, and the Influence of the Winds upon them, that it is abfolutely fo, and that there is no accounting for thefe, but by allowing a Communication between the Waters in the fVelcome, and thofe in the South- Seas, by a North Weft Paflagc. It remains only to fliew where this PafTage may be reafonably expefted, and what Rea- fons can be afligned to incline our Belief, that this Paflage, wherever it lies, is ftiort, open, and commodious; but in explaining this, we muft begin with the latter Part, becaufc by that only, we can be direded to the former. In the firll Place then, it feems highly probable, that this PafT.ige is not very far to the Northward ; becaufe there is no mountainous Ice found in the ff'elcome, or in Repulfe-B/iy, as the Dobbs and California. H7 lat this is no ^s there IS in ff^hite-Bear-B(iy, Lumlet's- Inlet, Baffirt^s-ffay, or Davis's-Straits; which therefore fecm to beU^ng lo another Continent, that lies under or near the Pole. Another Rea- fon that proves the fame Thing, is the Height of the Tides, which as we before obferved, no Way referable thofe in the Northern Seas, which at Nova Zembla rife only one Fathom, and not above half that Height at Sp'itzbergen ; that this Pal- fege, wherever it may lie, is ftiort, may be proved by many Arguments ; for fiift, we find no large Rivers on the Weft Coaftof Hudfonh-Bay'y but, on the contrary, very weak and fmall, which is a direft Proof that they do not run far, and eonfequently that the Land is not of any great Extent, which feparates the two Seas. In the next Place, the Strength and Regularity of the Tides, is another very ftrong Argument; for where we find Tides ebbing and flowing, nearly equal Time, laving the Difference ccafioned by the Mooii's com- ing later to the Meridian, evcrj' twenty- four Hou s, it is ef- teemed a Mark of being near that Ocean, from whence fuch Tides fpring ; and indeed it is one of the fureft and mofl cer- tain Marks we have. There is a third Reafon, and I will mention no more ; and that is, the Refort of the Whales hither ; for confidering the Seafon in which they are found here in greateft Number , it is impolfible to conceive they fhould have Time to pafs into warmer Climates, if the Paflage, through which they pafs, be not very fhort. All thefe Ar- guments taken together, fortify and fupport each other, and may be looked upon as fo many concurring Teftimonies, in Favour of the fame Truth. If this PafTage be not far to the Northward, which the Reafons already affigned, feem clearly to prove that it is not; and if for the Caufes before mention- ed, we have good Reafon to conclude, that it is but fhort ; we may from thence prefume, that it is both open and com- modious, which is farther manifefled by the ftrong ("urrents fetting through it, which is the Reafon that there can be no Ice in it. Laying therefore all thefe Circumflances together, I think it muft be allowed, that there is nothing wild or chi- merical, in the endeavouring to difcover it ; and that conlidcr- ing the Pains taken in, and the Lights obtained n-om the l.fl Expedition, it cannot with any Shadow of Jullicc be filled fruitlefs, tho' as to the ultimate Intention of it without Suc- cefs. We might add to this, that various other great De- iigns have been fully carried into Execution, after repc; ted Difappointments, and contrary to the Senthiicnts ot \cry knowing and intelligent Perfons, whofe Opinions happcn- ) .. L 3 cd f# II 4S ^he Lafi Expedition in ei to be warped by the Share ihey had in thof; 'Difappointo mcnts. J WILL g're but one Inftance, and that only, becaufc it feenis to be in a great Mcaliirc parallel to this. There •were Hopes long entortaincd of iinJing a PaflTage into the South- Seas, by advanoipg along the C^oafts of BraziL, and fo to the Countries beyond the River of Plate; and va- rious Trials were made with this View, *till at length yi^ merlcus Vefpucius, (from whom the new Worid has receiv- ed its Name} and who without doubt was both an able Sea- man, and an excellent Cofmographcr, was feflt into thefe Parts, and he advanced very far to the South, even to the Height, as fome lay of fifty two Degrees, but difco- vering no PalFi. e„ he concluded there oould be none ; which however ^^ difproved by Ftrdhand MageHariy who dif- covered 'u.. ■. oai ■, i thofe Straits \hich veiy defervedly bear his Name, j'ld u*^' prcferve his Memory as long as the World lafts. Wheu inefe Straits were dil'cove»-ed, it was taken for granted, that they were the only Paflage into the South-Seas J and therefore the King of Spain intended to liave built a City, and a Fortrefs in them., to prevent other Nations from pafling by that new Courfe to the Eaji-Jn- dies. The Dutch however difcovered the Vanity of this, by finding a Paflage round Cape Horn\ which ftiews, that after many fruitlefs Attempts, not one Paflage only, but many may be difcovered, which very polfibly may prove the Cafe in Hudjmh-Day, fmce fome very piobable Con- jeftures might be offered, that there may be feveral Paf- fages, communicating witJi each other. And Gapt, Fox long ago fuggefted, that there might be even an open Sea as at Cape Finmarke ; nor has this hit{-iCito been difproved. After what has been faid, it cannot be expected that I fliould enter, with any Degree of Pofitivenefs, into af- jfigning the Place where any PafTage is to be found) and I dare fay the Reader would not form a better Notion of my Judgment, from my infifling peremptorily upon fuch a Thing, becaufe in Matters of this Nature, the wifcft and moft knowing Men may be deceived, and fome very fenfiWe and fa- gacious Perfons have beenfomewhat miflaken about it already ; it may therefore be thought flifficient for me to point out, from my own Experience, M'hat induces me to believe, that fuch a PafTage there is • and to offer my GonjeAures, as to tlie Places where, with fome Probability, it may be fought, tho' very poffible another Voyage may difcovcr the Paflage clfewhere, or at leaft Places not hitherto exammed ; which may afford the "Dcbhsand California. 149 as to ought, aflage :h may afford afford as ftifi fairer, and more ratiofial Hopes. Thcfe Things I prcmife, that it may not be thought any EfFeft of Prepof- feffion, or of Gorifidence, that I prefume to take Notice of two Places, in each of which, I thmk,a Paflage may be fought upon very rational Grounds, and with very good Effects. In the firft Place, I muft obferve, that froni the Report made of a confiderable Inlet in the Latitude of 64**. whidh X called Chefterfieldh Inlet, I have ben induced to have vcrj^ great Expqftations. Thofe who fearched it affirmed, that the Ebb run very ftrong from the Weftward for eight Hours ; whereas i; ran up but two ; and with a Motion incomparafafty flower. They like wife affirmed, that at the Diftance of nine- ty Miles from the Entrance, the Water, tho' Itefher than ttie Ocean, had yet a very flrong Degree of Saltnefs ; now if there was no PafTage, and the Water ran down eight Hours, at the Rate of fix Miles an Hour ; and ran up only two Hours, at the Rate of two Miles an Hour, the Water ought t'^ have been perfeftly fre/h ; fince as no Salt Water v^nt i ,j f r more than two Hours, none ought to have come dovirn af *■ two Hours Ebb, even if the Ebb had been as flow as the .lood ; but as it was much more rapid, it ought to have been frefh fooner. It is certain, that if a Tide of Flood had bee . met coming from the Wefhvard, it would have afforded an incon- teftable Proof of a Paffage ; yet the Tide from the afVward, does not prove the contrary ; flnce in the Magellan Straits, as the accurate Sir John Narborough tell us, the Tide flows half way up from the Eaftward, and is there met by a Flood from the Wefl or pacific Ocean. I might add many other Rea- fons , to fhew the Probability of a Paffage here ; but I wave them to avoid laying a Foundation for new Difputtes> •which, af er all that can be faid about it, mufl be left to the Determination of another Tryal, under the Directi- on of Men, fkilful in Navigation, careful in their Obfervati- ons, and attentive to the Lights, that may be derived to them from Remarks made upon the Spot, which mufl enable them cither to find what they feek, or to account for thefe Appear^ ances without a Paffage ; which in itfelf would be a very Angu- lar Difcovery, and one from whence many Advantages might be derived by correfting thofe Notions that have been long, and are flill generally, entertained of thefe Matters. The other Place I would mention, is Repit/je-Bay; and the Reafons that may excite the Hopes of a Paffage here, are thofe that have been fo often mentioned; that is, the Depth, Saltnefs and Tranlparency of the Water, together with the Height of the Tide, propagated from thence ; all which arc • . -- Circumflanccs » 50 The laft Expedition in Circumftances that leein ftrongly to couQtei)ance fuch an Ex» pedtatioti. I w o u L D not be underftood to mean an abfolute Expedla- tion of finding the Paflage here, but ^ very great Probability of approaching ftili clofer to the Difcovery ; by tracing it as it wpre to its Source or Fountain Head. I am very ibnfiblc ^at this is an obfcure and, in fome Meafure, an improper Exprellion j to obtain Pardon for which from the Reader, I will endeavour to fet this Thought in a clearer Light. We may conllder Hudfon's-^Bayy as a .;ind of llabyrinth, into which we enter on one Side through Hudfon's-Straiis^ and what we aim at, is to get out on the other Side. M^e might indeed hope to do this, by repeated Experiments; that is, by making Tryal after Tryal, till the Outlet is found; but this will be both a painful, tedious, and unfatisfaftory Method, in which Patience alone, without any Mixture of Parts, would fometimc or ciher do the Bufinefs, but nobody could pretend to fay when. But then, let us conlidcr how many Maiks of a Pailage have been already defcribcd artd explained, and let us farther remember, that the Tide is a Kind of Clue, which icems to lead us by the Hand through all the Windings and Turnings of this Labyrinth, and if ftudioufly and fteadily fol- lowed mufl: certainly lead us out, Now the Tide rifing very high and coming from the Northward in /?^/»«^-i?rt^, as it is called, but without any Reafon, Js a juft Motive for our making another Tiyal there, which would undoubtedly fhew us more, if it did not (hew us all, This I hope will make my meaning perfe^Uy clear, and juftify all that 1 contend for ; which is the Profecution of this Search, till a Paflage is found, or the Arguments in favour of it anfwercd, by fome other Diicovery. I MIGHT add feveral other Argiur.cnts here, relative both to the Place, and to the Subjcedition, prgperly Cv ndufted, cannot fail of producing an ab- blute Certainty whether there is fuch a Pa/Iage or not ; and fince this is a Thing out of Difpute, it feems to be incompa- tible with our Reputation, as a Maritime Power, as well as inconfiftent with our Interefts, as a trading Nation, to aban- don a Delign, that has been profecuted fo far, and wants fo Httle, fo very little, of being complcated. I BEG leave to add to this, that we ought alfo to confider, how injurious it might prove to the Trade, as well as to the Character of the Briti/h Nation, if, after puftiing this Point fo far, Foreigners fhould reap the Profit of all our Pains and Labour; and by the Help of the Lights that we have afforded theni, find out this new Way t-) the South Seas, and to the Eajl-Indies ; which if it can be found, lies at prefent fo much in our Power, not to difcovcr only, but to become Mailers of it ; and tho' cxclufive Commerce is often deftruftive and dangerous, in the Hands of private Perfons ; yet an exclufive Trade has been always, and veryjuftly cfteemed of the higheft Advantage to a Nation, of which many Inllances might be ffiven, if that which we enjoy to our own Plantations, did not K) clearly and inconteftably eftablifli this, as to render all other Proofs altogether unnecefTary. But before we part with this Remark, it will not be amifs to add, that there feems to be the greater Foundation for thefe Apprehenfions, from that vifible Spirit of extending Commerce, and promoting Difco* veries, which ihews itfelf at prefent in fo many different Parts of the World ; and in fome, where but a very few Years ago, ildthing of this Sort was fo much as thought of. And while the Rujpans are with fuch Vigour and Induftry purfuing their Attempts to find a Paffage to America, from their Domi- nions ; it would furely be unpardonable in us to negleft any thing of the lame Nature, which is fo much more in our Power. We owe to this Spirit in other Nations, fome very en- couraging Hints, as to this Defign ; of which, as I believe it has not hitherto reached the public Notice, I will mention one. A Gentleman of great good Senle, and of undoubted Veracity, not many Months fince arrived from Portugal, af- fcirs, that lome (hort '^nnc before bis Departure, a Pcrlon arrived there, who in a Voyage from a certain Dutch Settle- iv.ent in the EaJl-hul'iS, v.hethcr undertaken for the fake of Dilcovery, or a clandeftiue Trade is not either certain or ma- terial, 1(51 fhe tafi B9tp$difm im leriidt va^ (hipwrccked on the North Coaft of Cal'^omia^ v^hich gave him an Opportunity of obfecvios, that it is both an Ifland and a Peninfum $ the na^Ow and mort Ifiimus that joins it to the Continent, being overilowed by high Tides. He farther obfervcd^ >vhich is a Thing very materiiyi to our Purpofc, that the Coafh pf the Continent tended dire£U.y| Nordi Eaft, uthich is a. Thing we never knew, wJth Ceitamty before, and which to fuch as confidcr it attentively, will ap*. Dear no (light Argument, m Favour of a North Weft PaHage ; for if the Continent of Anerica, joine^ here to that of y^^a^ or to any other between them, the SM|rc would rather have twined North Wed. We may add to this, that by the over* flowing of the Ifthmus at High Water, it is evident, that a very high and ftrone Tide runs here, which is alfo very con. formable to what might be expe^^ed in cafe of a PaHagie. But exduiive of all this, it is.a Thing of fome Confequence, con* (idered barely as a Fa^l that regards the Geography, of a Coun- try, which has been fo often the SubjeQ; of Dilpute, and about which Mr. De V^JlCf one of the moft able Men in France, wrote a very curious as well as particular DilFertation, with* out, however, pretending to clear up the Difficulty ; but, on the contrary^ labouring to (hew, that, at that Time, there was no Certainty wheidier Calif ornla was an Ifland or a Prninfula. Th us the Reader fees in the narrowaft Compafs into which I could poffibly brin^ them, what thofe Motives are whith have induced me to f^ak with fo much Affurance of the Pro* bability and PofTibility of determining, by another Expedition, a Point, elleemed oif fuch Confequence to the Nation, as to defcrve die Notice and Encouragement of the LegUlature; and to his candid' Cenfure I fubmlt them, deTiring to meet with no better TreafPent from the World, than the Fidelity of my, Relation, the Sincerity, of my Qbfervajtipns, and the Up- i-ightnefs,Qfi my Intcfittoikirmay d^iMve. F 1 N I S. !Wmr^ m Qv(c^o. V^Act.^-^-W