The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-05-24

the land lends more TO the westward. Here thfy
were detained by ice until The following afternoon
(27ih when opening presenting itself, they re-
sumed their route IL blew cutting blast from the
north east and the salt water froze upon the oars and
the rigging Point Drew seven miles distant from
their last encampmeni, is the commencement OF
bay of considerable size, but extremely shallow ana
much encountered with ice To seward the ice
was still smooth and solid, in the depth OF sun
less winter. Al midnight they reached narrow
projecting point, across which the pea OF some
high icebergs appeared. This point they named
Cape George Simpson, mark Of respect Tor Inc
Governor OF the companys territories, TO whose ex-
cellent arrangement The success Of the expedition Is
in great measure indebted.
This point was destined to be the limit of their
boat avigaiion for during the four following days
they were only able to advance as many miles The
weather was foggy and dismay cold, the wild fowl
passed in long flights 10 the westward and there seem
ed Little prospect OF their being abe ioIeaeh beechy
Point Barrow by wafer. Boat Extreme : siiua'ea
In lat II deg 3 min. "a sec. ~, long Id deg 70
min. 80 see. w; variation Of compass ~ deg. 10
min. Is sec w.
Under these circumstances, Mr. Thomas Simpson
undertook TO complete the journey on ioo' ana az
cordngly started on the Isl of August with hvc
men, Mr.. Dease and the other FIVE men remaining
in charge OF the boats.
The pedestrians carried with them their arms,
some ammunition, pemican, small oiled canvass
canoe for the crossing Of rivers the necessary astro.
nomcal instruments, and few trirkets for the ma
tiyeS.
twas one of the wors, days OF the whole season,
and the fog so dense that the party were under
the necessity of rgdly following the lortuous outline
Of the coast which for 20 miles formed sori OF n
regular island bay, (being guarded without by Sc
res Of gravel reeis) the shore Of which was almost
level with the water, and interseced with innn-
neral BILE salt creeks through which they waded,
besides three considerable rivers which they ira
yersed In their portable canoe. Next day the weather
improved, and at noon Mr. Simpson had an cbser-
vation for lat in II deg 8 min. As sec. The land
now inclined TO The south west, and continued very
low and muddy, and on the preceding day, abound
ing in salt creeks whose waters we're at the freezing
temperature. The party had proceeded about ten
miles, when, TO their dismay, the coas, suddenly
turned of toihe souhward, forming inlet as far
as the eye could reach.
AT the same moment they deserted at no great
distance small camp Of Esquimaux, to which they
Immediately directed their steps. The men were
absent hunting, and The women and children took 10
their boat In The greatest ALARM leaving behind them
an inhrin man, who was in an agony Of fear. A few
words of friendship removed his apprehensions and
brought back the ugiiiveS, who we're equally sur
prsed and delighted 10 behold white men. They set
before The party fresh reindeer meat and seal OIL
MIR. Simpson now determined 10 adopt more ex-
Pedtions mode Of travelling, by obtaining the loan Of
one OF their I oomaks," or family skin canoes, TO
convey the party 10 Point Barrow, with which, from
chart drawn BY one Of the women, il appeared that
these people were we'll acquainted.
-Four oars fitted with lashings to this strange
craft. Before starting the hunters arrived, and pre-
sents Of tobacco, avis buttons &c: were made TO all
the inmates Of the encampment with which they
were highly gralifed.
Dease's Inlet is five miles broad at this place vet
so low Is the land that the shore is Just visible
from the other in the clearest weather Ii now again
blew strongly from the north east bringing back the
cold dense fog but the traverse was effected BY the
aid of the compass The waves run high, and The
skin boat surmounted them with great buoyancy the
party encamped on the west side Of the inlet. The
banks there were Of frozen mud, ten twelve feet
Etrxh.
ed in small lakes and produced very short grass:
bui nowhere had The thaw penetrated more than two
inches beneath the surface while under water along
the shore the bottom was still impenetraby frozen
Not log Of wood was 10 be found in this land Of
desolation; but our parry followed the example Of the
natives, and made their fire Of the of the dwarf
willow in little chimney of turf. Next morning,
August 5, the fog cleared for awhile, but il was still
bitterly cold, and the swell beat violently on the out
side OF heavy line of ice which lay packed upon
the shore.
To weather this a work Of danger; but the
good qualities of I cir boat after severe trial. car
red them safely through. The land ran out for FIVE
miles TO the norhward, then turned off to the N. W..
beyond which, at point Christie, the lat II deg IL
min. 36 sec. was observed. From thence the coast
tended more westerly for ten miles, forming two
points and bay, which MIR Simpson named after
chief factors Charles and Rowand, and chief trader
Ross. The party then came up TO what appeared
large bay where they halted for or three hours
10 await the dispersion of the fog, not knowing which
fed, and the weather from that time was sensibly
ameliorated. The bay was now ascertaned 10 be
only four miles in width the depth half way across
was Ii iathoms on bottom Of land; that Of Deascs
Inlet was atterwards found TO be two fahoms muddy
bottom, being the greatest depth between Return
Reef and Point Barrow, except at ten miles s. L.
from Cape Halken, where three fathpms were sound
ed on our return Alter crossing Mackenzie's Bay
the coast again tended for eight nine miles to the
w. N. w. A compact body Of ice extended all
along, and beyond the reach of vision 10 seaward;
but the party carried their light vessel within that
formidable barrier, and made their way through the
narrow channels close TO the shore.
AT midnight they passed the mouth Of fine deep
river, quarter OF a mile wide, 10 which Mr. Simp-
son gave the name of Bellevue; and in less than an
hour afterwards the rising sun gratihed him with the
view of Point Barrow stretching out TO the N. N. W.
They soon crossed Elson Bay which in the perfect
calm, had acquired tough coating Of young ice
but had much difficulty in making their way through
broad and heavy pack that rested upon the shore.
On reaching it, and seeing the ocean extending away
10 the southwark, they hoisted their flag, and with
three cheers took possession Of their discoveries in
his Maesty's name.
Point Barrow is long low spit, composed of gravel
and coarse sand which the pressure of the ice has
forced up into numerous mounds, that, viewed from
distance, assume the appearance of huge boulder
rocks. AT the spot where the party landed il is only
quarter of mile across but il is broader towards
It's termination The first object that presented itself
on looking around the landing place an immense
ctHeeil ne Ooaies lay exposed III lne most nor
rble and disgusting manner and many Of them APP
peared so fresh that the men became alarmed that
the cholera, or some other dreadful disease, was
raging among the natives. Two considerable camps
OF the latter stood al no great distance the point
but none OF the inmates ventured to approach TIL our
party first visited them, and with the customary ex-
presSions OF friendship dissipaled their apprehen-
sions. .....
A brisk traffic then began af er which the women
formed circle, and danced to variety Of airs some
Of which were pleasing to the ear. The whole con-