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

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TO CORRESPONDENTS.
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LONDON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9.

Iv the last remark' we offered on the expedi-
tion in quest of Sir lons FKANIELIN, a fear was
expresoca that incompatibilities of temper had ren-
dered the search less complete and effective than it
ought to have been. The report of the committee
appointed by the Lords of thc Admiralty to inquire
into the recent arctic expeditions has since
been published. A careful examination of the notes
of evidence, and of the documents appended to that
report has,—we grieve to say,—ripened into conviction
the suspicion to which we gave utterance.
A very considerable portion of the inquiries of the
committee bore upon the conflicting statements of
Captain AUSTIN and Mr. PENNY respecting the cir-
cumstances in which the expedition broke up and
returned home. The averments of these two gentle-
men are in direct contradiction of each other, but the
evidence collected by the committee shows that this
contradiction is quitensistent with the belief that
each has stated what he believes to be the truth.
Both were angry, and angry men are not very capa-
ble either of explaining their own meaning distinctly,
or understanding that of others. Of deliberate and
intentional misrepresentation we now acquit both.
Not so easy, however, is it to acquit either of having
allowed themselves, under the influence of irritation,
to give up too soon the examination of Wellington
Strait.
On the 12th of August, 1/451, Captain Aren't
transmitted to Mr. PENNY an official intimation
that he did " not consider it necessary to prosecute
(even if practicable) a further search in the direc-
tion of Wellington Strait. Immediately after de-
spatching this letter Captain Averts returned to the
eastward, with a view to examine Jones's Sound,
and Mr. PE.NNY made the best of his way homeward.
Captain Arms attributes his determination to a
note from Mr. PENNY, in which that gentleman says
My opinion is that Wellington Channel requires
no further search. All has been done in the power
of man to accomplish, and no trace has been found."
Mr. PENNY alleges that by Wellington Channel he
meant only the part of the opening south of 75; deg.
of north latitude; that it there takes a turn
to the west of north, and is interrupted by
islands that that continuation which ho calls Queen's
Channel had not been examined; that he urged
Captain ACTIN to send a steamer up Wellington
Channel, and offered to pilot it, and that his note
was written under the influence of irritation. Cap-
tain AUSTIN denies that Mr. PENNY recommended
the sending up of a steamer, and denies that Mr.
Paver had at that time made any distinction be-
tween Wellington and Queen's Channels.
Now, from various circumstances we are disposed
to believe that Mr. PENNY intended to advise Captain
AUSTIN to send a steamer up Wellington Channel,
and also that lie actually did so advise him.
Sir Joliet Ross gave, in kis evidence before the
committee, an account of a conversation between
himself and Mr. PY.NNY : " What Captain PENNY
said to me was, that if the ice broke up in the chan-
nel he could do a great deal with a steamer; but it
was conditionally if the ice broke up ; and he once
mentioned that if this was the case he would apply
for a steamer to assist him, but he did not say
it was to Captain AUSTIN lie would apply. To
apply to Captain AUSTIN was abeurd, for none of
his officers could do duty under Captain PENNY."
Commander Pnittirs (second in command to Sir
Jolts ideas) stated in evidence: " Subsequent to the
25th of July, 1851, I recollect Captain PENNY said
to me, as he was going up the ladder, ' I shall ask
Captain AUSTIN to put a steamer under my orders,'
se words to that effect. 1 made no observation, be-
came I knew there would be technical difficulties in
the way." These statements are in strict harmony
with that which has repeatedly been made by Mr.
PENNY: " I had told him (Captain Avers all in
my power, giving him my chart, and him to
let me pilot one of his steamers up ellingtou
Channel ;" and " The last thing I said was, ' Go up
into the Wellington Channel, and you will do good
service to the cause:" For reasons to be assigned
immediately, we might have thought that Mr. PENNY
deceives himself in thinking now that he gave Cap-
Min AUSTIN the advice it is clear he intended to
give him, but the evidence of Mr. GOODSIE (principal
medical officer on board the Lady Franklin) seams to
reader it probable that he actually carried his inten-
tion into effect :
" Did you ever hear of Captain PENNY applying
to Captain AUSTIN for moistener with • steamer to
proceed up the Wellington Channel heard of it
en the 12th of August. I merely besidathe report.
" From whom did you hear it?-7/rittm a vague
rumour spreading very much anaqpigalthe mews of
the Lady Franklin and the Sophit"",
It dues not appear how such a " vague rumour"
could have got abroad the day Oar the application
is said by Mr. PENNY to have made, unless he
lad actually made it.
We entirely acquit Captain Aurriir of any inten-
tion to misrepresent Mr. PENNY. Mr. PENNY has
himself stated that he was very angry at the time.
Captain Aunts gives the following account of his
conduct during their conversation :•—• I pat some
close questions to Captain Fiume, but not by any
means so close as I should have pat to Captain Olt-
MANNEY, or any one of his rank who had come to me
with that report. I found that Captain PENNY was
angry, and felt that he wouldnot slow me to make
web inquiries." "It was a sort ce rambling mover-
illation, of which I could make asthma. And :
" Captain PENNY end myself were walking before
dinner, and I &Mei to elicit hem him, it 1 meld,
what really we. the date ot the ease."
This account i telly beano cot by , Captain Oat-
MANNCV, who wee resod. and atimeraitively states
be heard no senk r Ide.torr. says he
red. It is obrion=r. Prom, in his rate ot
Irritation, talked in a eentosed and desollsey rams I
that melt d whet ho said we. impsehatly under.
stood. sad rime et it net distlntly hunt
It ie at sem isperiase.—widt a vier to the re-
mewed smelt alma to be iintiturde-drd the ewes
et all this new and hmerhst amerreatien be-
tween the porde,. aid pri aban-
mal.
donment el tics Mr* =ribbon's. It=
pretty croft ham the quotations hese the
we have dray man Mr._ PSI= is not in the
roythstal navy. and he wee wade to hlal that hecal me enr
aimed hiked wn ern his e
Ile Soo Soso and doCormunhe Prim urs m
Webers Intim earmid et the armee had it beta
sot is dam& IS ester the larches—" ems et
Yes Amer's) care mi de di lacy ends
Pare And Omar Ammo admits that
IS On non&S be hit be had caminstel Mort
Mdt tss melt bar ear " While on bard tbe Imo'
ParkNa, thinking there most be some middle be-
tween =pelt and Capt Plumy, I wrote Mr a
IM I arum rem.e the mahatma of it. kr I
new intended it to be prodoced at each an Mirky
es
tile. to Aim, and desired that them
should be so between us for the good ot the
are The sough rerehant-erman and the
aisle. of the Mel navy could not act in
; end re asarmiere has ben their .
he Nor ay sad bream, up the eirdition.
OM AVMS. Mine than eat upon the advice ot Mr.
• PIVOT, albesigued the ezerration of the only re-
gorythat aired • drum et sneer ; and Mr.
, rather then he dieter& to, case home ! On
Ihde return to this country they found that every
womb* moon and each tried to lay the
ilea
• We have milloreured I. this re to award
impeder te all pentiee—to atfrlate to every
=Obi hie show et blew and eztenndr g dream-
Mom It einutin le reign sr sem= he be-
%mast the striae ear preatarly re-
Amiss attributes Ms Assisting from the
st Wei hl= Memel be Kr. Psowi's
elniesent in lie it orrequired ne further
nude To retie tide excuse available, Captain
Ammo ought to be able to show that he understood
the decluolim to minor both Wellington sad