EXTRACTS FROM THE LOG OF CAPT. CHRISTOPHER MIDDLETON, ON HIS VOYAGE FOR THE DISCOVERY OF THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE THROUGH HUDSON'S STRAITS.

“1741 (Friday, July 31). This day a council was held on board, in latitude 61° 02', longitude 86° 11' W.

“The question was put, and taken into consideration, whether it would be proper to proceed upon a discovery of a passage from Hudson's Bay to the South Sea directly; or to repair, with His Majesty's ships Furnace and Discovery, to Churchill River in Hudson's Bay, as the season of the year is too far advanced to proceed any farther, and there being a necessity of securing the vessels, and providing necessaries for wintering as soon as possible : and it was unanimously resolved, considering the rigor of the winter in these parts of the world, the want of everything necessary for building lodgings for the men, a convenient place for securing the vessels from the dangers of the ice, the necessity of digging store-rooms for the provisions,—no brandy, spirits, nor strong beer being proof against the severity of the winter above ground,—the uncertainty of securing the vessels after the frost comes on, which usually happens in the beginning of September; and the obstructions we may probably meet with in our passage, by fogs, calms, ice, and contrary winds.