these plans, I was to be guided by the advice and information
which I should receive from the wintering servants of the Hudson’s
Bay Company, who would be instructed by their employers to co-operate
cordially in the prosecution of the objects of the Expedition,
and who would provide me with the necessary escort of Indians to
act as guides, interpreters, game-killers, cj-e.; and also with such
articles of clothing, ammunition, snow-shoes, presents, cjr., as should
be deemed expedient for me to take. That as another principal
object of the Expedition was to amend the very defective geography
of the northern part of North America, I was to be very
careful to ascertain correctly the latitude and longitude of every
remarkable spot upon our route, and of all the bays, harbours,
rivers, headlands, fyc., that might occur along the Northern shore
of North America. That in proceeding along the coast, I should
erect conspicuous marks at places where ships might enter, or to
which a boat could be sent; and to deposit information as to
the nature of the coast for the use of Lieutenant Parry. That, in
the Journal of our route, I should register the temperature of the
air, at least three times in every twenty-four hours; together with
the state of the wind and weather, and any other meteorological
phenomena. That I should not neglect any opportunity of observing
and noting down the dip and variation of the magnetic needle,
and the intensity of the magnetic force; and should take particular
notice whether any, and what kind or degree of, influence the
Aurora Borealis might appear to exert on the magnetic needle; and
to notice whether that phenomenon were attended with any noise;
and to make any other observations that might be likely to tend
to the further development of its cause, and the laws by which it
is governed.
Mr. Back and Mr. Hood were to assist me in all the observations
above-mentioned, and to make drawings of the land, of the
natives, and of the various objects of natural history ; and particularly
of such as Hr. Richardson, who, to his professional duties
was to add that of naturalist, might consider to be most curious
and interesting.
I was instructed, on my arrival at, or near, the Mouth of the
Copper-Mine River, to make every inquiry as to the situation of
the spot whence native copper had been brought down by the
Indians to the Hudson’s Bay establishment, and to visit and explore
the place in question; in order that Dr. Richardson might be
enabled to make such observations as might be useful in a commercial
point of view, or interesting to the science of mineralogy.
From Joseph Berens, Esq., the Governor of the Hudson’s Bay
Company, and the Gentlemen of the Committee, I received all
kinds of assistance and information, communicated in the most
friendly manner previous to my leaving England ; and I had the
gratification of perusing the orders to their agents and servants in
North America, containing the fullest directions to promote, by
every means, the progress of the Expedition. I most cheerfully
avail myself of this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to
these Gentlemen for their personal kindness to myself and the
other officers, as well as for the benefits rendered by them to the
Expedition ; and the same sentiment is due towards the Gentlemen