Note 71 — Chapter XXV · 1768-1773.
Reading edition
From the good opinion we entertain of you, and Mr. Norton's recommendation, we have agreed to raise your wages to £130 per annum for two years, and have placed you in our council at Prince of Wales' Fort; and we should have been ready to advance you to the command of the Charlotte, according to your request, if a matter of more immediate consequence had not intervened.
Mr. Norton has proposed an inland journey, far to the north of Churchill, to promote an extension of our trade, as well as for the discovery of a north-west passage, copper mines, etc.; and as an undertaking of this nature requires the attention of a person capable of taking an observation for determining the longitude and latitude and also distances, and the course of rivers and their depths, we have fixed upon you (especially as it is represented to us to be your own inclination) to conduct this journey with proper assistants.
We therefore hope you will second our expectations in readily performing this service, and upon your return we shall willingly make you any acknowledgment suitable to your trouble therein.
We highly approve of your going in the Speedwell to assist in the whale-fishery last year, and heartily wish you health and success in the present expedition.
We remain your loving friends,
Bibye Lake, Deputy Governor. John Anthony Merle. Robert Merry. Samuel Wegg. James Winter Lake. Herman Berens. Joseph Sparrel. James FitzGerald.