exceed 3 fathoms, while the influence of the river stream prevailed full 10 miles further N., where the colour was similar to that of the Thames at Woolwich was slightly brackish, with a temperature of 39°: the sea-water, 4 hours previously, being 28°.

August 24.-Some huts, tenanted by Esquimaux, were visited near Point Warren. They seemed to be a barbarous set, who disclaimed all communication with the posts of the Hudson's Bay Company, on the ground that water" was supplied to the Indians which killed them, and that they preferred trading with those near the River Colvile. With their immediate neighbours they were at enmity, and were speedily left to the enjoyment of their morose isolation.

It may be remarked, that since leaving Point Barrow, where several whales were seen, not one had made its appearance until about this time, when two or three large ones showed themselves in only 6 fathoms water.

This was within sight of Cape Bathurst, where a tribe of 300 Esquimaux had assembled for the fishing season. Their demeanour contrasted strongly with the former, for they were friendly, and took charge of despatches to be forwarded to the Admiralty. They had seen Sir John Richardson's party last year; and altogether made a favourable impression on M'Clure.

On September 1, they left the American coast, with a thorough conviction, "That neither the ships nor any of the crews of Sir John Franklin's expedition have ever reached its shores."

Commander M'Clure describes

"The whole of the coasts as shallow, but, with the lead, may be safely navigated, the soundings being very regular. The shoals terminate about 30 miles E. of Yarborough Inlet, and water varying in breadth from 1 mile to 40 may be calcu lated upon along shore between the beginning of August and the 10th of September. It is more or less encumbered with ice according to the winds, which we found prevailed from N.E. to E.S.E."

The obstructions from heavy ice became annoying, and every expedient was resorted to in order to clear them.

Whales grew numerous near Franklin Bay, and an occasional bear was perceived; but all these, though interesting for the moment, yielded in importance to the gratifying appearance of high land looming in a N.E. direction, which, on nearing, was conjectured to be upwards of 1000 feet high, and was subsequently ascertained to form the S. part of Banks' Land. It was taken possession of under the name of Baring Island, and a signal-post with a notice was left in lat. 71° 8' N., and long. 122° 48′ W.

This was M'Clure's first discovery, and was further enhanced by the joyous sight of open water "for the distance of full 40 miles to the eastward."

Continuing to work the ship along the shore in variable soundings, "from nine to seventy-six fathoms "-" dark mud, yellow clay, and fine white sand -they continued to grope their way through fog and mist, till a partial clearance exposed, within 15 miles, some fresh land, diversified by remarkable peaks," and "some snow-covered lofty mountains." It was called Prince Albert Land, and is in lat. 72° 1' N., and long. 119° 25' W. It is continuous with Wollaston and Victoria Land, extending north to lat. 73° 21′ N., and long. 112° 48′ W.

October 10th.-They passed two singular" rocky islets," named after H.R.H. the Princess Royal, and the wind being fair and the water tolerably clear from ice,

"all the studding-sails were set with the hope of reaching Barrow Strait, only distant about 70 miles."

The usual uncertainty of Polar navigation befell them, and their sanguine hopes were shortly destroyed by drifting masses whirling against the ship,

vestigator through the only barrier that stopped her progress, and it is certainly a great triumph to geographical research that what is called the "North-West Passage "should have been discovered by Commander R. M'Clure and his gallant companions.

GEO. BACK.

NOTE.-Captain M'Clure and his crew left the Investigator on the 3rd June, 1853, and repaired on board the Resolute, Captain Kellett, which ship failed in getting farther than about twenty-five miles S.E. of Byam Martin Island, where she wintered; and was ultimately deserted in April, 1854, by the order of Sir Edward Belcher. Captain M'Clure finally reached England in the Phoenix steamer, Captain Inglefield, in September, 1854.

X.- Report of a Canoe Expedition along the East Coast of Vancouver Island. By JAMES DOUGLAS, Esq., Governor. Communicated by the COLONIAL OFFICE. With Note on Queen Charlotte Islands. Read February 28, 1853.

SIR, Fort Victoria, Aug. 27, 1852. SINCE I had last the honour of addressing you on the 22nd instant, I have carried out the project, which I have long entertained, of a canoe expedition through the Canal de Arro, and along the E. coast of Vancouver Island, for the purpose of examining the country, and of communicating with the native tribes who inhabit that part of the colony; and I will now concisely state the result of my observations in the course of that journey.

2. In our passage through the Canal de Arro we were struck with the extreme incorrectness of the maps of Vancouver Island. The line of coast is well delineated, and could be traced upon our maps as far as the promontory named Cowichin Head; but from that point all resemblance to the coast ceases: the multitude of islands forming the Arro Archipelago, which extend as far as, and terminate at, Čala Descanso, being laid down as an integral portion of Vancouver Island; whereas the true line of coast runs from 15 to 20 miles W. of its position as laid down on our maps; the intermediate space being occupied by islands, and channels of various breadths, generally navigable, but probably inconvenient for sailing vessels on account of the strong currents and frequent calms which occur in these narrow waters. A correct survey of these channels will remove the difficulties that would at present be experienced by sailing vessels navigating those straits; and should Her Majesty's Government at any time direct surveys to be made in this quarter, I think the Arro Archipelago will be found to have peculiar claims to their attention, as there is a prospect of its soon becoming the channel of a very important trade.