North-west passage

FIRST EDITION, folio (340 x 212mm.), 8pp. [additional docket title on the verso of the last leaf], sewn as issued, uncut

Sabin 69938

A good copy
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NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Arthur Dobbs, an active advocate for the exploration and discovery of a north-west passage, was convinced that the Hudson’s Bay Company had either failed to detect it or had kept its existence a secret. He campaigned for an expedition which was led, at Dobbs’ insistence, by Captain Christopher Middleton. However when Middleton failed to find any evidence of a passage he was accused by Dobbs of witholding information and of conspiring with the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Dobbs petitioned the Admiralty to investigate and this Report represents their findings. It includes a deposition by John Rankin and Robert Wilson, two of Middleton’s crew, who claimed that Wager Bay was actually a strait, and that Middleton had concealed information in support of their claim.

In response Middleton wrote his Vindication, and thus began the pamphlet war known as the Dobbs-Middleton controversy (see Exploration and Discovery, part 2, lots 400-405).