While captain Parry was employed in exploring a passage from Baffin's Bay to the Pacific, another expedition was despatched over land to ascertain the true position of the Coppermine River, and the windings of the shore to the eastward of it. This measure, which had apparently no great difficulties, seemed to promise eminent advantages to geographical science, and might prove serviceable to the intrepid navigator employed to the northward. Lieutenant (now captain) Franklin was selected to command this expedition, accompanied by Dr. Richardson, a gentleman well skilled in natural history; Mr. Hood, and Mr. Back, two midshipmen; and two English seamen.

Captain Franklin and his companions embarked in the end of May, 18193 and arrived in safety at York Factory, on the shores of Hudson's Bay, on the 30th of August. Preparations for their long and difficult journey were immediately commenced, and the information which the local experience of the fur traders could supply them was eagerly collected. On the 9th of September the journey commenced from York Fort, and on the 22d of October our travellers arrived at Cumberland House; a distance of 690 miles. Notwithstanding the lateness of the season, captain Franklin resolved to push forward to Fort Chepeweyan, near the western extremity of Athabasca Lake, in order that he might personally superintend the preparations for the journey of the ensuing summer. He accordingly set out with Mr. Back on the 18th of January, and arrived at the fort on the 26th of March; thus performing a journey of 857 miles in the very depth of winter; the thermometer frequently sinking to forty and sometimes more than fifty degrees below zero.