Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea, in the Years 1819-20-21-22, Volume 1 | Page 2

had the honour to be appointed to this service by Earl
Bathurst, on the recommendation of the Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty; who, at the same time, nominated Doctor John Richardson,
a Surgeon in the Royal Navy, Mr. George Back, and Mr. Robert Hood,
two Admiralty Midshipmen, to be joined with me in the enterprize. My
instructions, in substance, informed me that the main object of the
Expedition was that of determining the latitudes and longitudes of the
Northern Coast of North America, and the trending of that Coast from
the Mouth of the Copper-Mine River to the eastern extremity of that
Continent; that it was left for me to determine according to
circumstances, whether it might be most advisable to proceed, at once,
directly to the northward till I arrived at the sea-coast, and thence
westerly towards the Copper-Mine River; or advance, in the first
instance, by the usual route to the mouth of the Copper-Mine River,
and from thence easterly till I should arrive at the eastern extremity of
that Continent; that, in the adoption of either of 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,
&c.; and also with such articles of clothing, ammunition, snow-shoes,
presents, &c., 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, &c., 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 Dr.
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 of the North-West Company, both in England and America,
more particularly to Simon McGillivray, Esq., of London, from whom I
received much useful information, and cordial letters of
recommendation to the partners and agents of that Company, resident
on our line of route.
A short time before I left London I had the pleasure and advantage of
an interview with