His objects were to ascertain the breadth of the continent at its broadest part, and to determine on some place on the shores of the Pacific, where government might establish a post to facilitate the discovery of a northwest passage, or a communication between Hudson's Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

This place he presumed would be somewhere about the Straits of Annian, at which point he supposed the Oregon disembogued itself.

It was his opinion, also, that a settlement on this extremity of America would disclose new sources of trade, promote many useful discoveries, and open a more direct communication with China and the English settlements in the East Indies, than that by the Cape of Good Hope or the Straits of Magellan.

* This enterprising and intrepid traveller was twice baffled in individual efforts to accomplish this great journey.

In 1774, he was joined in the scheme by Richard Whitworth, a member of Parliament, and a man of wealth.