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I have been seriously contemplating, Capt. B., on this important subject: Whether in justice to the "George Henry's" company, under the present unexpected circumstances, I should not depart from the vessel & secure my living among the Inuuits. The following is a consideration weighing heavily upon me:
That it was expected by Majors. Williams & Haven, the owners of this vessel, on my accepting their generous proposal of bringing me & my outfit here North that I would have the vessel in the fall of the year in which we took our departure from the states, [[strikethrough]] - [[/strikethrough]] all though the latter member of the firm (Mr. Havens)expressed to me during a walk to his office from his residence where I had just dined with him & family on a pressing invitation day before sailing, all his wish and advice that I should stop on board their (W and H's) vessel (the "George Henry") till the following navigable season (of 1861) after arriving here. Not being able, as men are well aware, to make up a Company (Boat's Crew) from the Innuits on arrival here on account of their protesting that it was too late in the season to make a Boat voyage to the point I desired to make before winter set in, I was forced to accept the offer of Mr. Havens. In Sept. of the year of our arrival North, a gale swept over the country, during which my craft, [[strikethrough]] in which [[/strikethrough]] (designed by men and modeled & built under your supervision specially for my voyage to King Williams Land) was totally [[strikethrough]] wrecked [[/strikethrough]], thus cutting off for a while all hopes of making the voyage for which I embarked. However, soon after assignments were made with you to supply me with one of the vessel's boats. About the time I was to make my departure, it was found that neither of the boats that could be spared me to make my voyage was sea-worthy - that they were in far worse condition than before estimated. By reason of this all important matter, you & your chief officer advised that I should not risk my own life and the lives of others in attempting my contemplated Voyage. On a full examination of the boat I came to the conclusion that I would delay another year in starting - that I would return to the states & if possible get a small vessel, have her properly fitted officered, manned and equipped - & resume my voyage in the Spring of 1862. 
As the time drew near for our departure [[strikethrough]] to th [[/strikethrough]] from here, I became more &