That nothing might be omitted that could facilitate the success of Captain Cook’s expedition, some time before he sailed, in the beginning of the summer of 1776, Lieutenant Pickersgill, appointed commander of his majesty’s armed brig the Lion, was ordered “to proceed to Davis’s Straits, for the protection of the British whale fishers;” and that first object being secured, “he was then required and directed to proceed up Baffin’s Bay, and explore the coasts thereof, as far as in his judgment the same could be done without apparent risk, taking care to leave the above-mentioned bay so timely as to secure his return to England in the fall of the year;” and it was farther enjoined to him, “to make nautical remarks of every kind, and to employ Mr Lane (master of the vessel under his command) in surveying, making charts, and taking views of the several bays, harbours, and different parts of the coast which he might visit, and in making such notations thereon as might be useful to geography and navigation."[36]

[Footnote 36:  From his MS. Instructions, dated May 14, 1776.]

Pickersgill, we see, was not to attempt the discovery of the passage.  He was directed to explore the coasts of Baffin’s Bay, only to enable him to bring back, the same year, some information, which might be an useful direction toward planning an intended voyage into that bay the ensuing summer, to try for the discovery of a passage on that side, with a view to co-operate with Captain Cook; who, it was supposed, (from the tenor of his instructions,) would be trying for this passage, about the same time, from the opposite side of America.

Pickersgill, obeying his instructions, at least in this instance, did return that year, but there were sufficient reasons for not sending him out again, and the command of the next expedition into Baffin’s Bay was conferred on Lieutenant Young; whose instructions, having an immediate connection with our voyage, are here inserted.

* * * * *

Extract of Instructions to Lieutenant Young, commanding the Lion Armed Vessel, dated 13th March, 1777.

Resolution.} Whereas, in pursuance of the king’s pleasure, Discovery } signified to us by the Earl of Sandwich, his majesty’s sloops named in the margin have been sent out under the command of Captain Cook, in order, during this and the ensuing year, to attempt a discovery of a northern passage, by sea, from the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean; and, for that purpose, to run up as high as the latitude of 65 deg.  N., where it is hoped he will be able to arrive in the month of June next; and there, and as much further to the northward as in his prudence he shall think proper, very carefully to search for and explore such rivers, or inlets, as may appear to be of a considerable extent, and pointing to Hudson’s or Baffin’s Bays, or the north sea; and, upon finding any passage through, sufficient for the purposes of navigation,