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LETTERS WRITTEN DURING THE LATE VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY, IN THK OTegtein antic Bm. LETTER 1. Dear Brother, Mth May, 1815). Agreeably to my promise, I now begin my account of our proceedings and our observations, in the important expedition on which we have embarked. You were never at sea, but you showed always a particular taste for descriptions of voyages to distant or unknown, or little known parts of the world. The enterprise in which we are engaged will, certainly, if we have any success, carry us into scenes presenting objects of novelty at least, if not of importance and value. We may, I trust, if we do no more, satisfy ourselves, convince perhaps our countrymen at home, and navigators of all nations, that a practicable communication by sea, round the northern coasts of North America, is not to be attained. To ascertain even this point is an object of no small importance. It will abundantly justify the expense to the nation, and the dangers to the persons employed in the research. As my letters, if ever they arrive in Marybone, (and when and how they are to be forwarded I know not,) will soon pass from your hands into those of many kind friends, equally stran gers with yourself to sea affairs and sea language, I will endea vour to steer clear if possible of obscurity arising from such pecu liarities. Being, however, formed on my regular Journal, nauti cal operations and incidents cannot always be expressed without nautical terms and phrases. A sea-journal is the production of every day; but however important the occurrences and transactions of every day are io the seaman, to the landsman they often appear dull and unin teresting. You will not, therefore expect me to transmit to you details, in which you would feel little concern, and the value of which you could not often comprehend. With re- Voyages. Vol. V. B