an unsuccessful expedition, whilst Captain Franklin, with more success than has crowned any former endeavour since the time of Cook, and with the good and favorable opinion of all parties, had not the influence to obtain the smallest advancement for any of his party.
On the 8th April, 1828, Commander Back addressed the Lord High Admiral as follows:–
“Sir,– In reflecting on the recent voyages of discovery to the Arctic regions, which have been prosecuted with so much zeal and ability by the able officers who have commanded them, one cannot but regret that the portion of the American coast comprehended between Repulse Bay and Point Turnagain, should still remain unexplored while there exists any probability of finally completing so desirable an object.
“To effect this, I would propose that a small vessel, properly fitted out with boats, and supplied with provisions for two years, should proceed to Repulse Bay; and having anchored there, that a party should be dispatched across the Melville Peninsula, which is said to be only three days’ journey, and if after examination it was found that the country was not too uneven for the transporting of goods on wheel carriages, in the manner we passed Portage la Locke (a distance of seven miles) on our return from the overland expedition, it would not be difficult to convey two boats, and whatever else might be thought requisite, to the opposite side, and lay them up in some secure place for the winter. Then in the following season, the party intended to coast as far as Point Turnagain, being provided with sledges, might proceed with the remainder of what was necessary for the voyage, and crossing to the boats, start on the first opening of the water. For such a service, the boats should be about twenty-four feet long, with a good beam and a flat floor, so as to draw little water; and the provisions for the crews ought to be entirely composed of pemmican, ira, and sweetened chocolate, a sufficient quantity of which might be deposited at jutting or other prominent points, for consumption on the return to the vessel, which it is supposed would be in time enough to ensure her getting out of the Straits the same season. The expences which at first sight would seem unavoidably connected with an undertaking of this nature, might however be greatly diminished from the experience already acquired in the knowledge of what was indispensably useful for its completion. * * * * I remain your Royal Highness’s most dutiful and obedient servant,
This plan for exploring the country between Repulse Bay and Point Turnagain was recommended by Sir George Cockburn, but it appears that the Lord High Admiral had already
