The sufferings endured in the last expedition did not deter the same intrepid individuals from repeating the attempt to explore the shores of the Polar Seas. Towards the close of 1823, government made known its intention of sending out another expedition under captain Parry, to try to find the passage to the west through Regent's Inlet. At the same time captain Franklin proposed to survey the coast westward from Mackenzie River. His offer was accepted, and it was hoped that experience dearly purchased would instruct him to obviate all risk of encountering privations like those of the last voyage. Orders were immediately forwarded to the agents of the Hudson's Bay company, to prepare a supply of provisions: at the requisite stations boats were constructed, combining, in the highest possible degree, the requisite qualities of strength and lightness; and these were forwarded with the baggage and stores, to proceed into the interior, from Hudson's Bay. Captain Franklin, Dr. Richardson, Mr. Back, and Mr. Kendal, proceeded by way of New York. Their instructions directed them to form their winter establishment in the neighbourhood of the Great Bear Lake, and, in the spring of 1826, to proceed down the Mackenzie. At the mouth of this river the travellers were to separate: captain Franklin and Mr. Back were to go westward, to endeavour to reach Kotzebue's Inlet, where they might expect to meet the Blossom frigate, commanded by captain Beechy; Dr. Richardson and Mr. Kendal were, at the same time, to proceed towards the east, so as to examine the line of coast between the Mackenzie and Coppermine Rivers.

The conquests of the Spaniards and Portuguese in the New World and the East present such a brilliant train of exploits and discoveries as must always hold a prominent place in an historical review of geographical knowledge. But other nations in the mean time were not inattentive to these movements, or indifferent to the advantages that might result from an improved acquaintance with the globe. They did not proceed, it is true, in their researches with the same bold strides; but their slow and patient efforts were of a nature better calculated to conduct to ultimate success. England in particular soon distinguished itself as the school of intrepid and skilful mariners.

John Gavotta or Cabot, a native of Venice, arrived in England, and settled at Bristol, in the reign of Henry VII. That monarch, disappointed in his hopes of forming an engagement with Columbus, gladly extended his protection to the Venetian, whose reputation as a skilful pilot was little inferior to that of the celebrated Genoese. By a patent dated the 5th of March, 1496, he granted to Cabot and his three sons, Louis, Sebastian, and Sancius, permission to go in search of unknown lands, and to conquer and settle them. In the accounts which remain to us respecting the voyages undertaken in virtue of this patent, irreconcilable diversities and contradictions occur. Of Sebastian Cabot alone we know any thing with certainty.

The progress of geographical knowledge depends more on the general intercourse subsisting between nations than on the exertions of individual travellers. Such an intercourse existed but imperfectly in ancient times; and this circumstance, together with the scarcity of books (in consequence, of which contemporary authors were often ignorant of one another's labours), prevented the geography of the Greeks from reaching the perfection which might have been expected from the diffusion and enlightenment of that enquiring people. The voyages of the Carthaginian admirals, Hanno and Himilco, in the western ocean, along the coasts of Africa and of Europe, were unknown to Herodotus, although performed, apparently, long before his time. Yet among the early attempts at maritime discovery, of which we have any authentic accounts, these were, unquestionably, the most important.

Hanno was despatched by the senate of Carthage to establish some colonies on the western coast of Africa. The fleet which he commanded was composed of sixty large vessels, and had on board no less than thirty thousand persons of both sexes. After sailing for two days beyond the columns of Hercules, the fleet anchored opposite to a great plain, where a town called Thymiaterion was built, and a settlement effected. Still sailing westward, the expedition next arrived at the promontory of Soloe (perhaps Cape Cantin), covered with thick woods. Having doubled this cape, they built five other towns on the sea side, and at no great distance from one another.