Etext prepared by Martin Schub <schub@isd.net>
An Account of the Exploration of the Nascaupee and George Rivers
By Mrs. Leonidas Hubbard, Junior
Published October 1908
This book is the result of a determination on my part to completeMr. Hubbard's unfinished work, and having done this to set beforethe public a plain statement, not only of my own journey, but ofhis as well. For this reason I have included the greater part ofMr. Hubbard's diary, which he kept during the trip, and which itwill be seen is published exactly as he wrote it, and also GeorgeElson's account of the last few days together, and his ownsubsequent efforts.
I hope that this may go some way towards correcting misleadingaccounts of Mr. Hubbard's expedition, which have appearedelsewhere. It is due also to the memory of my husband that Ishould here put on record the fact that my journey with itsresults—geographical and otherwise—is the only one over thisregion recognised by the geographical authorities of America andEurope.
The map which is found accompanying this account of the twojourneys sets forth the work I was able to accomplish. It does notclaim to be other than purely pioneer work. I took no observationsfor longitude, but obtained a few for latitude, which served asguiding points in making my map. The controlling points of myjourney [Northwest River post, Lake Michikamau and its outlet, andthe mouth of the George River] were already astronomically fixed.
The route map of the first Hubbard Expedition is from one drawn forme by George Elson, with the few observations for latitude recordedby Mr. Hubbard in his diary as guiding points. My husband's maps,together with other field notes and records, I have not had accessto, as these have never been handed over to me.
Grateful acknowledgment is here made of my indebtedness to Mr.Herbert L. Bridgman and Mr. Harold T. Ellis for their help andcounsel in my work.
Here, too, I would express my sincere appreciation of thecontribution to the book from Mr. Cabot, who, descendent of theancient explorers, is peculiarly well fitted to speak of Labrador.The great peninsula has been, as he terms it, his "playground," andby canoe in summer or on snowshoes in winter he has travelledthousands of miles in the interior, thus placing himself in closesttouch with it.
To Dr. Cluny Macpherson for his generous service I am deeplygrateful.
To George Elson for his loyal devotion to Mr. Hubbard and myself mydebt of gratitude must ever remain unpaid.
To Dr. James E. C. Sawyer, my beloved pastor, I am indebted for thetitle of my book.