The Express.
London, England, 1851-09-12 00:00:00

TO TILE EDITOR OF TIIE EXPRESS.

SIR,—Is beg to offer, through the medium of your
columns, the following proposal for the above purpose, viz.,
to apply the surplus fund of the Great Exhibition of all
Nations to the erection of a suitable building in London,
for the use of the exhibitors of all nations who ma}• wish to
avail themselves of its advantages as a place for displaying
their goods. Without enlarging upon the numerous and
highly important advantages that would attend the adop-
tion of the above proposal, 1 would only observe, that tho
foreign contributors arc entitled to some consideration, and
that it would be adviaablo to have their opinions upon the
subject before any proposal is adopted.
F. THOMPSON.
6, Westfield-terrace, Sheffield, Sept. 11.

CHRIST'S HOSPITAL.—On Monday, the 22nd inst.
(as the 21st, St. Matthew's Day, will fall on Suoday), tho
Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Sheriffs, with the Ciolentors of
the Royal Hospital, will attend divine service at Christ-
church, Newgate-street, where a sermon will be preached
by the Rev. E. W. Belton, M.A., Perpetual Curate of St.
Bartholomew's, Bethnal-green ; after which they will repair
to the Great Hall in Christ's Hospital, where four orations
on the " Benefits of the Royal Hospita's" will be delivered,
according to annual custom, by four of the senior scholars—
in Latin, by H. D. Sweeting ; in English, by G. W. Brown;
in Greek, by R. A. Lloyd; inFrench, by G. C. Bell. Seven
poems will also be recited by others of the senior scholars,
viz.: an Alcaic ode on Columbus," by C. 11. Parer; a trans-
lation of " The Chief Justice's Apology," and the " King
Henry's reply," from Shakspearc, into Grecs lambics, by
11 H. B. Parkin; Latin Elegiacs on "Lucretia," by H. H.
Stone; Greek Sapphic, on " Queen Elizabeth," by J. G.
Gauntlet; a translation from Campbell's "Pleasures of
Hope," on Scepticism, into Latin Hexameters, by J. W.
Doran; Latin Sapphics, on "England's Invitation to tho
Nations," by H. It. JCTCTII ; and an English poem on
"Rome," by H. Ludlow.

I

THE GOLD DISCOVERIES LN AUSTRALIA.

FURTHER INTELLIGENCE.

Later papers (to the begining of June) have been
received in the City from New South Wales.
Accounts from Sydney (to June 2) afford a vivid
picture of the excitement induced by the confirma-
tion which was being daily received of the gold dis- 1
coverics at Bathurst. The instances of success re-
corded are very numerous. One man in a week got
two ounces, worth 61. 89., and saw another adven-
turer extract 13 ounces, which he purchased for 3t31.
A third, we arc actually informed, picked up no less
than 420!. worth in a few minutes, in small lumps,
and it was apprehended he had gone mad in con-
sequence! huge shining lumps of the precious metal
were exhibited in some of the shop windows at
Sydney, and materially contributed to increase the
public excitement. By one man a lump of a pound
weight had been picked np. According to another
authority the gold brought into Bathurst averages
1!. per man per day. On the other hand, a much
less encouraging view is taken by other parties, who
have bad the benefit of experience on the actual
scene of operations; but the voice of caution appears
to be little attended to. Many Sydney people who had
previously left their homes, and traversed the distance
of two hundred miles to Bathurst, were return-
ing in disappointment, after meeting. with no
lack in their explorations. The search 14 by these i
parties stated to be a perfect lottery, and worse than
gambling. There were hundreds of instances in
which persons had not carnal inure than ss. per day
each, and this is de cerits el as very poor reinnnemtionl
for • day's hard labour, up to the -knees in water, at
an expense of at lea,t 2s. cal. per man for provisions.
A perain writing from the spot states, ns a positive
fact, that where one person is lucky,and finds 201. or
&R. worth in one lump, 50 persons are only arning 10s.
per day, and 40 scarcely earning their rations. As yet
rt appears that gold has only been found in the bed
of a creek twelve miles from Grunge, the creek being
12 yawls wide, and 100 yards long. Below this
spot, and above it, the precious metal has only
been discovered in small particles, insufficient
to pay fur a digger's provisions, and as 2,000
persons were already congregated at this spot,
besides large daily arrivals, expectations were enter-
tained that this locality would speedily be entirely
exhausted. On the other hand parties entertain a
belief that gold will be found in most of the
creeks at that put of the country, and
that new diggings will be d.eily discovered. With
the approach of winter much disease is anticipated,
as the season is very inclement in that mountainous
district. ..tleanuhile, the Sydney papers are teem-
ing with advertisements of every description of
article suitable fur the diggers, combined with offers
of rewards for runaway apprentices allured by the
thine for gold, and oilers of advances on consign-
ments or gold dust. The ueeounts of the dearness
and scarcity of provisions at Bathurst are contradicted.
_ .

DREADFUL ACCIDENT AT BALCYCLARE.

An accident of a fated and very serious character
took place on Monday night last in the tillage of
!Velure, in the county of Antrim. It appears
that a" Lecture on Eleetro-biology" was announced
to be delivered by a Mr. Thdruly, an amateur, the
place of assembly bciug a large loft in an old paper-
mill in Bullyclare, and that a great crowd attended.
it being computed that nut less than six hundred
persons were at one time in the room. After the
" lecturer " had concluded his remarks, and had
placed several patients in what he called the mes-
meric sleep or trance, he proceeded to ask them vari-
ous questions, and the audience very naturally
crowded around him to hear the answers better.
The great weight accumulated ou so small an area
proved too much for the resistance of the beam sup-
porting the floor, which at once, with a loud
crash, gave way, and the entire assembly were in-
stantly precipitated upon the next door, a depth of
from 16 to Pt feet. The sc.ne of confusion, conster-
nation, and horror that ensued it is impossible to
describe; it is enough to say, that as soon as those
who had escaped had in sonic degree recovered their
presence of mind, and proceeded to the'rescue of
those less fortunate, the results were found to be of a
very calamitous character. Three persons were taken
out dead. The first was Mr. Robert flow, mill-
owner, of Ballynure, a young gentleman connected
with several highly respectable families in Belfast.
The injuries he had sustained were very severe,
apparently from one of the beams having fallen
upon him; his left arm was broken, and Ins throat
and side of the face dreadfully mutilated, the carotid
artery, it is understood, having been severed. The
second victim was a man called M'llwaine, front
Templepatriek, and the third n man of the name of
Kennedy, from I tunturky. It would appear that
those known to be seriously wounded amounted to
26, while about 30 received minor injuries; these
being independent of the parties mentioned as having
lost their lives. Inquests were held during the day,
on the bodies taken out of the building lifeless. The
verdict in each case was "Casual death," and the
evidence was in no way different from the above
statement of the facts.

One of the Belfast papers, describing the disaster,
saes :
thaw who were fortunate enough to secure seats on the
back portion of the loft, of which the flooring had not given
way, were comparatirely uninjured: but nearly all who
atop, at the moment of the accident, on that portion which
es-topics! the angle between the two wings—a equate of 30
t—wire engulfed in the horrible abyss, and thrown with
the p!..iiks of the flooring and the dislodged stonework of the
dilapidated walls, to an area beneath, a fall of no less than 16
feet, amongst the hard, projecting, and scattered pieces of
machinery which, a, we have said, were stored below. The
shrieks of the suffering multitude, the noise of the falling
timbers, the clouds of choking dust which instantly arose,
the rush and frantic struggle for escape, produced a scene
which will he indelibly impressed on the memories of all
who survive it. Owing to the difficulty of egress to which
we have already alluded, rendered still greater by the
chasm in the flooring, it was sonic time before those who
wen actually unhurt could get out of the building, and
many had to force their way out through a window in the
rear of the wing. Some of those in the immediate vicinity I
of the yawning chasm miraculously escaped by clinging to
tb timbers of the roof and the portions of flooring which
still adhered to the walls. One person saved himself, by
haring time to fasten the crook of his stick in an aperture
of the stone work, and thus suspended he waited till it was
isle to &scout Strange to say, those who were first pre-1
eipitat, d iu the centre, though having to bear the weight
of the immense human mass before them, were least injured,
and rune were suffocated either by pressure or want of air.
mrc proceeding further it is necessary to explain the con-
serintion of the flooring. A single beam of deal, running
riht under the centre of the square of flooring which fell,
from wall to wall, and about thirty feet in length, formed
rs main support. The flooring consisted of heavy three-
fn' Ii planks, running transverwly to the direction of the
D. km. supported at one end by the sidewalks where it was
le: into the stonework, and at the other end by the beam,
along tin top of which the planks met from either aide, and
to a hit h they were fastened by long and heavy iron nail
or rather bolts. Tho accident was occasioned by the break-
ire of the beam exactly in the centre, and when it gave
'raj the flooring shched downwards from both sides, sliding
as it were those who stood upon it into the store below.
In wow plates the planks prised up the masonry into which
tb y wire inserted, and in one spot a considerable mass of
stela and brickwork was detached, which falling upon the
lising heap below, caused the most fatal of the injuries wo
have to record. It has since been discovered that if only
two t more of the wall at this part of the building had
bet n displaced, the whale of the amid have h&c in,
and the calamity wouhl have boa • fold more di..
nitrous than it wee.

FATAL ACCIDENT ON TIIE EASTERN COUNTIES I
ntiLwAy.—A lamentable accident, terminating fatally, hap- I
pe 'led on Wednesday night at the Broxbourne (Herta) station
of the Eastern Counties Railway, to a passenger named James i
Grass, stated to be a tavern-keeper at Brandon, in Suffolk.
The occurrcnee appears to have been entirely owing to the
Imprudence of the deceased. Ile was a passenger by the
Norwich up-train, which reaches here at at 9.20, and wishing ,
to at Lea-bridge, where that train did not stop, he
got out for the purpose of taking his seat in the last up
Ile, trued train, which called at the station at which he
&sired to stop, and which, as usual, had been shunted into
a siding, in order to allow the Norwich train to pass on.
On having the train, he suddenly stepped behind the screen
of the up-platform, unperceived apparently by the officers.
On the Norwich train leaving, the Hertford train proceeded
to shunt out of the side, and in doing so caught the unfor-
tunate manned squeezed him fearfully against. the platform.
Ile was extricated with all despatch, and proving to be alive
he was conveyed by the train to Lea-bridge, and then
removed to the house of some friends at Walthamstow.
Early medical aid was rendered him, but his internal
injuries were too frightful for Motto recover, and M an hour
or so he expired. His body awaits an inquest.
THE 11.tavesT.—More favourable weather than
tLat which now prevails for securing the latter harvest
could not be desired ; and the cultivators in the north have
the best opportunity of securing their crops. It is question-
able whether the operations of harvest were ever carried on
with more vigour throughout the kingdom generally, than
has been the case this season ; and the benefits arising from
reaping the produce in good condition were, perhaps, never
rUater The most beautiful weather is now prevalent. It
we, the temperature in the early morning, as well as at
nlifhts is shill, and the atmosphere is remarkably clear,
healthful, and iiifigerating.—Doncaster Gazette.

SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.-THE
SEARCHING EXPEDITION.

We have been favoured by the Admiralty with the
following details of the proceedings of the expedition
under Captain Penny, whose ships have
.just returned, '
bringing despatches from Captain Austin, which we
must reserve for another occasion.
Her Majesty's ship Lady Franklin,
Assistance Harbour, Cornwallis Island,
April 12, 1841.
Sir,—l have the honour to inform you, fur the informa-
tion of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that,
after parting company with her Majesty's ship North Star,
on the 21st of August, I reached slung the north shore of
Barrow's Strait until Sunday, the 21th, keeping a strict
look-out. Being then off Beechy Island, I spoke the
American schooner Reserve, and learned that her Majesty's
ship Assistance had found traces of the Franklin expedition
on Cape Riley. The Assistance was then running to the
westward, and anxious to be possessed of every particular
I followed her with the intention of going on board, but I
had not that opportunity until two p.m . when bath vessels
were made fast to the land ice two thirds of tie distance
across Wellington Channel, the Assistance being about ono
and a half miles to the westward of us. Finding that the
traces were apparently those of a retreating partv.lthonght
it my proper couve to return to the east side of Wellington
Channel, which I accordingly did. The succeeding morning
I landed with a party, and examined the mast !rennin miles
i to the northward of Cape Spencer to that promontory, and
i an encampment was found near the latter place, seemingly
that of a hunting party about three veers previous. Joining
, company with the Advance, the Rescue, and the Felix
11 schooners the following morning, we made fast in a bight
under the north-west side of Beechey Island, and, having
I consulted with Captain Dunhaven and Sir J. Ross, it was
agreed that the former should despatch a party to continue
the search northward along the cast coast of Wellington
Channel, while I ezplerecl the coast to the eastward. Mean-
time, a party of all my officers, which had been despatched
in the direction of Cr swell's Tower, discovered the quarter
which had been occupied by the vessels of Sir John Frank
lira's expedition in the winters of 180.6. Three graves were
also found, the head-boards showing them to be those of
three seamen who hail died early in the spring of 1846; but
notwithstanding a most careful search in every direction,
no dueument could be found. The same evening, a boat-
party was despatched, under Captain Stewart, to explore
Radstock Bay and its vicinity, but to further traces were
found in that direction.

The Resolute and Pioneer came up and mace fast on
Wednesday morning, and an unfavourable condition of the
ice detained m till evening, when water being opened to
the eastward, I stood to a certain di,tance across Wellington
Channel in the mornim, and sent away a party under Mr.
J. Stuart to communicate with the Assistance. The same
evening we were again in Betchy Bay, and the party re-
turned the following forenoon, having accomplished upwards
of 40 miles.
By them we were acquainted t'at the Assistance had
found no traces in about 39 miles of coast, examined by her
to the north and south of Barlow Itlict.

The state of the ice prevented the least motion being
made with the ships until Thursday, the sth of September,
when Ave left Beechy Bay ; but so little was the ice slack-
ened off, that we were unable to reach the west side of the
Channel before Sunday, the Bth.
While lyina under lamely Island, arrangements were
made with Sir John Ross to lay up the Mary yacht, and a
quantity of pros islet= was contributed, as our share of the
depot there formed.
On Sunday, the Bth, I landed with a party about twelve
miles to the northward of Barlow Inlet, and a cairn and
i pole was erected in a conspicuous situation. Wellington
Channel being blocked up with old land ice, no alternative
was left but to proceed to the westward, with a siew of
reaching Cape Walker, or attempting some other passage
between the island of the Parry Group, or, failing either of
thew, Melville Island. Following out this Course, we
pushed on through the bay ice which was now an strong as
to retard us greatly; but, notwithstanding that obstacle,
we reached Onftith's Island on Tuesday, the 10th of Sep-
Umber, and having made fast there, on account of the state
of the ice, 1 had again a consultation with Captain Austin,
with a view to acting in concert.
The following morning, tho more favourable appearance
of the ice induced me to make an attempt to reach Cape
Walker ; but after proceeding 25 miles, the ice became
packed, which with a heavy fog, caused sue to put about,
and make for our former position. The hourly increasing
thickness of the bay ice, which had now become such an
obstacle, that with a strong breeze the ships stayed with
considerable difficulty, rendered it absolutely necessary that
a place of safety should be obtained for the vessels, and I ac-
cordingly made for this harbour, a rough sketch of which I
had previously obtained from the Assistance.
e brought up at II a.m., on Thursday, the 12th of
September, and shortly afterwards the Felix, Captain Sir
J. Ross, came in and brought up; two boats were sent
ashore and hauled up, to fall back upon should further
progress be made; hut being unable to get out by the 20th,
so es to be usefully employed, preparations were commenced
for wintering.
With reference to the winter that we have spent, one fact
wiU speak fur itself, via., that there has not been one single
use of sickness in either the Lady Franklin or Sophia ; in-
deed, so completely were both the minds and bodies kept
properly occupied and carefully attended to, that with the
crews I have it would hare been surprising to have seen
sickness. While on this subject, I cannot but make mention
in terms of praise of Messrs. Sutherland, Goodsir, and
Stuart, their exertions alike to instruct and amuse the men
greatly contributing to the happy issue.
Frequent communication has been held with Captain
Austin's expedition, which has wintered in the strait be-
tween Griffiths and Cornwallis Islands, and arrangements
were made with reference to the different routes to be
taken in the coming travelling. Pursuant to these, there
arc at present ready to start from the Lady Franklin and
Sophia two parties, of three sledges each, to explore Wel-
lington Channel and the land which may be found at the
head of that great inlet.
Independent of the above, there are two dog sledges pre-
pared for extended search in the same direction; one of
these wiU be conducted by the interpreter, Mr. Peterson, of
whom I would beg to make particular mention, trusting
that his noble devotion in the cause of our countrymen
may be remembered to his advantage.
The day at present fixed for the start is .Monday, the 14th
of April, should the weather continue favourable. Previ-
ous to starting, I have thought proper to make out this
despatch for their lordships' Information.
I have the honour to be, air, your most obedient servant,
WILLIAM PENNY,
Commanding an Expedition in Search of her
Majesty's ships Erebus and Terror.
To the Secretary to the Admiralty, London.

Her Majesty's ship Lady Franklin, at sea, Sept. 8, 18.1.
Sir,—Resuming my report of proceedings from the date
of my last despatch, I have to inform you that on the 17th
of April sin sledges, with 41 officers and men, started from
the ships, under the command of Captain Stewart, of the
Sophia, and I could not but be gratified at seeing what our
small means had put it in our power to do with these par-
ties of men alike able and willing. The sledges were vari-
ously officered by Captain Stewart, Messrs. Marshall, Reid,
and:J. Stuart, and Des. Sutherland and Goodie?.

The course intended to be pursued was to proceed so far
together up the west side of M cllington Channel, and, after
retuning the depot sledges, two parties to evens the east side
of the channel, while the other two followed up the west
coast to the head of the channel, the position of land then
seen determining their future procedure.
Each sledge was equipped for 40 days, and the average
weight per min was upwards of 2001 W. I started from
the ship on the 13th, with the dog-sledges, accompanird by
Mr. Petersen, and at noon, on the 13th, I joined the sledges.
They had found the ice very heavy, in consequence of the
recent snow and the high temperature, and their journey of
the previous day had not exceeded 61 miles. The inefficient
state of our cooking apparatus had already begun to cause
much inconvenience.

On the 19th the temperature fell, and a gale of wind faced
us immediately on entering the channel, which continued,
with only partial intermissions, till the 22nd. During all
that time I was continually among them. and whatever
doubts the want of experience of my young officers might
have warranted my entertaining, they were all removed by
witnessing the management of their men on this occasion.
On the 21st, Mr. J. Stuart was returned with the two
depot sledges end only one tent, in consequence of the
extreme severity of the weather. I felt great anxiety
for this party. However, in two marches they reached
the ship, with only a short interval of rest. Meanwhile,
the gale continued down the channel, with a temperature
varying from 25 degrees to 30 degrees. This, and
the want of numerous other articles—such as a
sufficient supply of fuel, &c., caused me to en-
tertain a fear of failure if these defects were not
remedied in time. I accordingly consulted my officers on
the subject, sad la eassespessee of our unanimous opinion
, that a timely retina was the most advisable step, I deter-
' mined to deposit maths proviskns, and the two best sledges
at this spot, returning with the ether two to receive late:s-
how. The distance to this spot was 42 miles. Tho dog
lodes on their return, eestraplishoel the distance in one ,
stew. The other four pestles, sale making the deposit, re- ,
, turned, • the bey at Mal on the 26th, every one in
, the beet of mil net a single case of frost-bite ; and
' I cannot bat state try andratien of the constant content.
meld and steady and wßig eadarance of the officers and
, men of the parties under dreetrottrm of no small hard-
' ship. Feast this date t• dm it; of May every one was bu-
siif preperins IBM ME* foe what we had found
to nmenesey b oar inijessaty. On the 6th, after a short
prayer to the Almighty to ambit as to fulfil our duty the
sledges again started, the sews of the two that had been
leR up channel being distributed among them. They were
. again in charge of CapWa Stewart till such time as I should
myself join them at Wismar depot, when I was to see each
party take its separate redo. At d o'clock a.m., on the 9th
of May, I started with Xi. P.tsnsn, and Thomson, one of
the seamen, with two dog sledges, sad at 2 o'clock p.m.,
we overtook the parties,.
si then camped at the further depot.
From Point Separaas 76 deg. 5 min. N. lat., Captain
Stewart, with his , Dr. Sutherland, and Mr. J.
Stuart, of the Lady • let proceeding along the
coast to Cape Hurd, szemining the various beaches, itc.,
for further traces, as dgewg opinions were still entertained
that more was to be haul in that quarter.
Mr. Goodsir, with Mr. Marshall as his auxiliary, had
missed to them to anamine the west tide, and to follow up
after the dog rundvins final instructions on reach-
ing the scan son shoessi. Rapi lad journeys were made
with the isp to Caps Dubow, N.d 22
Wm. Mare the hod wee INN to trend N.W . 5 ten e
mg. iles,

terminating in a point, afterwards named Point Ded-
sion, which was reached at half-past 10 p.m., oat the
12th of Nay. A hill of 400 feet in height was ascended,
and in consequence of the land being then continuously in
a north westerly direction, instructions were left to
Mr. Goodsir to take this coast along to the westward,
while I myself proceeded in a N.W. by N. direc-
tion towards land seen to the northward. At p.m.,
on the 11th, we encamped on the ice, having travelled 25
miles N.W. by N. front Point Decision. The following day,
after travelling 20 miles from the encampment in a N.W.
by N. direction, we landed, at 7 p m., ou an island named
Daillie Hamilton's Island.

- --.---.
Ascending a hill about 500 feet high above the headland
on which wg landed, the ice to the westward, iu the strait
between Cumwallis and Ilamilton Island, was seen to be
much decayed, and en island was even to the westward,
distant 35 or 40 miles. As the decayed state of the ice pre-
rented further progress to the westward from this point,
and no trace being found, we proceeded round the island,
Hest to the N.N.E., and afterwards, on rounding Cape
Scoresby, in a N.N.L. direction. On the IGth we came
upon waat to all appearances was water, and on halting, on
the 17th, at Point Surprise, we were asbmished to open out
another strait, in which was 2.5 miles of clear water; an
island was seen bearing \V. S., distant 40 miles; and a
btadland, distant 15 miles W. by N., the dark sky ores this
head indicating the presence of water, to the extent of
perhaps 20 miles, on the other side. This point was found
to be in 76 deg. 2 min. N. lat., and 95 deg. 5.5 min. W. lan.
Further progress being prevented by water, and we being
still without traces, and the dugs provisions being ex-
hausted, no other course remained but to return to the
ships, which we reached atter rapid journeys at midnight,
on the' oth of !day. . . . .

The carpenters .nil people on board were inunNliately
set about preparing a beat to endeavour to reach the water
seen.

Uu the 29th of May the second mate arrived, having
left Mr. Goodsir in 74 deg. 36 min. N., and 96 deg. 1% .
Water had been seen by them to the northward, from their
furthest station. lie made a very rapid return, having run
in one day from 24 to 30 Mile,. Everyone on basted con
tinned actively employed, preparing the boat provisions,
&c.. and on the 4th of June rt started with one auxiliary
sledge and one dog's sledge ; the whole party being in
charge of Mr. Mattson.
On the 6th of June, Mr. John Smart returned with his
party from Cape. Hard, after un absence of 31 days, but
without having round any traces either indicative of the
cours., pursued by her M tjany's ships Erebus and Terror,
or of any retreating party having subsequently passed along
the coast.

After thirty .six hours' rest, Mr. Smart again started to join
Mr. Manson, having equipped his sledge for a twenty days
journey. lie overtook the boat on the morning of the Bth
of June, then one mile to the westward of Cape Hotham.
lbe same day a clog sledge from Mr. Munson arrived at the
ship, stating that the sledge on which the hoot was placed,
after trial, had been found unfit for the purpose. The
armourer, who was returned with the dog-sledge, was im-
mediately set about preparing a longer sledge, but having
no carpenter on board, the wood work was finished by Sir
John Ross's carpenter. On the 11th, at 4 a.m., I joined the
boat with the two dogs sledges, and all bands were im-
mediately set about fitting and lashing the new sledge, and
arranging the weights of the party bctweeu the two long
sledges and the two dogs' sledges. On the 12th Mr. Man-
son i eturned, no one being left in the s'aip but the clerk in
charge.
The improvement in the boats' sledge was so remarlzable,
and the ice also so much better, that a distance of 104 miles
was accomplished iu seven marches. The boat being then
launched into the water unit Laden, the fatigue party re-
turned, and reached the ship on the 25eu of June, all in
good health, the dogs dragging their light sledge the whole
way.
Ou our journey out we met Dr. Sutherland at Depiit
Point, returning atter an absence of 38 days. lle reported
having left Captain Stewart in 76 deg. 20 min. N., in the
opening of Wellington Channel, but without hating yet
fallen in with any traces. When off Point Griffiths, on the
1 I th, Messrs.Goodsir and Marshall were fallen in with, having
examined the northern shores of Cornwallis and Bathurst
Land, as far as 90 deg. \V., but still without having fallen
in with any traces. They were obliged to return in conse-
quence of the water.
Resuming the boat journey, after separating from the
fatigue sledges on the 17th June, we proceeded about ten
mile* to the westward, when we were obliged to take shelter
in an adjacent bay, in consequence of a head sea, and strong
easterly gale. From this date until the 20th of July 310
miles of coast was examined by the boat under very disad-
vantageous circumstances, arising from constant unfavour-
able winds anal rapid tides. Our provisions being then
within eight days of being consumed, and our distance from
the ship such that prudence would not warrant further per-
severance with this supply, we commenced our return, and,
with a strong north-west wind, succeeded in reaching Alan-
don Bay after 111 hours. The ice being so decayed as to
preclude the launching of even an empty boat, we were com-
pelled to haul the boat ashore and abandon her, taking with
us four days* provisions. The weather during our return
was boisterous in the extreme, with continued rain, which
made the streams it was necessary to ford very rapid. The
constant wet caused the greatest discomfort ; but front none
of my men did I once hear a complaint. In 76 dens. N. lat.
we found a boat, which Capt. Stewart had wisely sent out in
case of such a contingency as had occurred, but the ice hav-
ing set into the mouth of the Wellington Channel, which
has up to this time been open, we were unable to fetch
her down further than Barlow Inlet. Thence we walked
to the ships, which we reached at 10 p.m. on the 23th of
July.
Captain Stewart had returned on the 21st of June, hav-
ing reached Cape Beecher in 76.20 deg. north latitude, and
27 deg. west longitude. We here again started on the Ist
of July, and carried up a depot for my return to Cape Du-
barn, returning from this journey on the 17th of July. For
particulars during the different searches I would refer you
to the accompanying retorts.
On my return I was equally surprised to hear that Bar-
row's Straits had been open, as far as could be seen, since
the 2nd of July, an occurrence which was so far to be ex-
pected as the strait was seen to be in motion till the Ilth
of March. The land ice had also come out of Wellington
Channel as far up as Point Separation, probably about the
sth of July; and ou the 27th of July, when our travelling
operations concluded, the fast edge in the channel continued
in the same position.
The ship continued icebound till the 10th of August, but
had our parties returned in sufficient time to refit and be
ready to cut out from the date of water-making, we would
have been at liberty on the 15th of July.
On the 11th of August Captain Austin's ships entered our
harbour in their progress to the eastward. Ilia parties had
penetrated as far as ships could hope to go, yet, like our
own, unsuccessful in finding the least trace of the missing
expedition. In fact, none had been found such as would
warrant the risk of a second winter, and, my orders
being such as left no alternative, I determined on imme-
diately returning to England, if no iustructious to the con-
trary should be met with. In proceeding down the country
we landed at Cape Hay and Button Point, in Pond's Bay,
positions considered the most probable for despatches being
left on by the whale shine. Finding none, we continued
our course down along the land, crossing in 70 deg. N. let.,
through a body of 140 miles of ice. We made repeated
endeavours to reach Sleety, on the island of Diao, to ascer-
tain
if any despatches had been left there for our guidance ;
but thick weather and a strong northerly wind obliged us
to haul off, after having made a narrow escape from a reef
lying close in-shore. We parted from the Sophia about 20
miles off the land, expecting to rejoin her after having
communicated with the Danish settlement; but the thick
weather and strong gale continuing for 24 hours, we sepa-
rated front her, and have not since seen her. Captain
Stewart'e instructions, in case of such an event, were to
make the best of his way to Woolwich, having it in his
power to take either the English Channel or the Pentland
Frith as his route, according as the wind might lead.
In speaking of the services of the various officers under
me, I would mention my second in command as an able
and energetic coadjutor, both on boardship and in con-
ducting the search along the east coast of Wellington
Channel and the south shores of Albert Land ; snit his
foresight in laying out depots, and a boat for the
boat party greatly facilitated our safe return. Dr.
Sutherland, of the Sophia, as his auxiliary in
travelling, proved himself a most indefatigable officer,
and his attention, while on board, to natural history and
meteorology, will no doubt afford many useful facts. Of
Mr. D. Morrison, the chief mate of the Sophia, an
old and experienced whaling master, I cannot speak too
highly. Ile had charge of the vessel during the absence of
myself and Captain Stewart, and throughout the winter he
paid the greatest attention to tidal and barometrical regis-
ter; and his services in conducting the boat to Cape
Hotham, under peculiarly disadvantageous circumstances,
were beyond all praise. Mr. James Reid, the second
mate of the Sophia, a son of the ice master of the
Erebus, accompanied Captain Stewart in the first
journey as an auxiliary, and afterwards proceeded
with him to his furthest point. Of Messrs. Marshall and
Leiper, the chief and second mates of the Lady Frank-
lin, I would make mention--experienced and skilful ice
officers—and the exertions of the one in accompanying
Mr. Goodsir in the whole extent of the journey, and the
other, my second in the boat, were such as could not
but afford me the greatest satisfaction. The whole of the
duties of refitting the ship during my absence fell upon Mr.
Marshall, and were accomplished to a time remarkably
short, considering the few hands on board. Of Mr. John
' Stuart, the youngest officer under my command, I cannot
speak too highly. Finding that there were no duties as
an assistant-surgeon, he acted as third mate; and his ex-
ertions in preparing the travelling equipment, his surveys
of various lays during his travels, and his assisting in pre-
paring charts, &e., have proved of the greatest use; and for
his proceedings during the search of the beaches, &c., be-
tween Cape F.vinelle and Cape Hard I would refer you to
his journal. He afterwards started as an auxiliary to the
boat party, with an interval of only 36 hours, and was sub-
sequently employed in numerous short journies, conducting
boats &c

Mr. Goods rin his western search discharged alike his
duty to this expedition and his missing brother.
Mr. Peterson, the interpreter, in conducting the dog
sledges and in affording much useful information with
reference to travelling, as well as his personal exertion:in
the same to the extent even of injuring his health, has
afforded me the greatest satisfaction, and of his services as
interpreter on a former occasion I have made mention in a
previous despatch.
Of the seamen of both vessels placed under my command
I cannot speak too highly ; for neither in winter quarters
nor while enduring the privations and fatigues of travelling,
did ever one complaint or grumble reach my ears. Of their
unwearied exertions a schedule it laid before you, and it
success has not attended their labours, they have not the less
performed their duties.—l have, &c.
WILLIAM PENNY Commanding the Expedition.
The Secretary of the Admiralty.