The Express.
London, England, 1853-10-12 00:00:00

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

The market for bread stuffs was brisk, prices had ad-
vanced slightly, and considerable transactions had taken
place at the following quotations:—Western Canal flour
dole. 50c. to 6 dole. 621 c. per barrel, steady; Oennessee
I prima wheat, I dol. 48c. to 1 dol. 50c. per 801bs. ; Indian
I corn, round yellow, 60c. to 82c. per bushel, steady ; Indian
I meal, 3 dole. 75c. to 3 dolt. 871 e. per barrel.
The cotton market was inactive, and prices were very
feebly maintained. No actual decline, however, can be re-
ported. The following are the quotations:—New Orleans
and Mobile mid. fair to fair, 12c. to 121 c. per lb.; Uplands,
mid. fair to fair, HO. to 12c. per lb.
In the market for provisions the transactions have been
of a quiet character, but prices are unchanged.
Shipowners were asking increased prices of freight, the
following being the quotations :—Flour to Liverpool, 2s. 9d
to 3s. per bill.; grain, 10d. to 101 d. per bushel; cotton, id.
to 6-164. per lb.
Eschange on London was firm at 109.1 to 1091 ; Paris,
5.121 to 5.13 ; liamburgh, 361 to 361 ; Bremen, 7:4 to 80.

GLASGOW AND SOU'Ill-WESTERN RAILWAY.—
Traffic for the week ending Oct. 8, 1853, 4,8081. 150. 6d.
Corresponding week, 1862,14,3621. 15s. 9d. LIMAN in
1863, 4451. 190. 91.

TILE OVERLAND MAIL.

(BY srnm•siss AND ZUROPZ.Vi TELicß.vrx.)

TRIESTE, Orropas 11.
The steamer Calcutta arrived here at 4 a.m., in
110 hours from Alexand: ia.

ALEXANDRIA, Ocronrn 6.

The American squadron under Com. Perry reached
Japan Bth July, and left again 17th July. They
were well received, but the opening of Japan is
postponed to spring, 1554.
Tke patriots in China progress, and Pekin is ex-
pected to fall soon, and with it the Hungefung
dynasty.
Manufactures everywhere were in better demand.
In the China markets tea was in demand, and
congou higher. Raw silk and clzsia also had risen.
Exchanges at Bombay, 21. Calcutta, 2: to
2.01, 5. Mug-Kong, ss. 9d. to ss. 101 d. Alex-
andria, p9l.
The Nile has done damage, but is now falling.
The accounts from Burmah are unsatisfactory.
The war party at Ava is increasing in strength. The
king alone prevents war.
Our new provinces are overrun with large bands
of robbers, who lay them waste with the view of
driving the inhabitants into Burmah. These bands
are so strong that it has been judged prudent to in-
crease the force at Promc.

Our troops are sickly. The Persians have ob-
tained possession of Herat.

Exports of grain from Egypt still going on.
Question of stoppage nnbet tied.

TIIE PASSAUE

The furowing is a continuation of the official
despatches published yesterday :
ller Majesty's ship Assistance, on return to Beechey
Island, westward of Beillia Harbour. and about 10
miles east M Cape Beecher, July .!U, 1853.
MOVEMENTS OF rat SQUADRON SEARCHING FOR SIR

JOHN rItANKLIN AND OTIIE1:S.

" Sir,—The very unexpected arrival of Commander Pullen
in his boat off Dundee island, just as I hail recovered my
despatches (deposited for him at Cape Beecher in May last),
places me in the position of addressing to their lordships a
very hurried despatch.
" First, because a mile gained, in this dreaded Strait, is
a consideration risking wintering here. Next, Commander
Pullen has to return by the west of Dundas end Hamilton's
Wands, and I cannot strain his crew by carrying them
much oat of their way.
"After my despatch of April last I proceeded to tho
N.B. as fares the connexion with Jones's Strait in 90 deg.,
where I foam the sea open, and all progress obstructed on
the 20th of May. Polar Sea as far as the eye could range,
from 1,500 feet elevation, ' rough sailing ice.
" This elevation in let. 76.31, and about 90 W. but the
whol ey, I trust, will be (on 1 i in. scale to 1 mile) ready
for transmission before the Ist Sept., at which date I pur-
pose sending one of the vessels home.
" Being cut off by sea, I now pursued an opening from
Cape Separation (nearly north 20 miles of Prince Alfred
Bay), and reached Wellington Channel.
" I next, having noticed loom of land from the high land
of Britannia Cliff, started from Princess Royal Island, and
reached the westernmost in 78 10 N., calling the group
Victoria Archipelago, and the easternmost, forming the
channel to Jones's Strait, North Kent, In honour of his
Hoye' Highness the late Duke.
" lisporta of open water,' the reception of the mis-
sing despatches, and other MIKA, rendered my return to
the ship to look out for the interests of those still absent
imperative. I reached the skip without casualty on the
22d of June, after an absence of 52 days, bringing my men
back in good working condition, and not subjects for the
list.

" Commander Richards performed his work nobly, so
did Lieutenant Osborne, his companion.
" In the first place, by a curious preconception, he de-
posited his despatches for Captain Kellett on the 3)th of
April at a point in 76 32, 105 4 W., my point agreed on being
77 and 10.5. After having advanced 120 miles be met Mr.
Hamilton seeking these despatches. lie forthwith put him
en route to obtain the despatches, to overtake Lieutenant
Osborne, and by these means place me in possession (by the
return of the Reliance sledge) of the important, and, to their
lordships, doubtless pleasing intelligence of the safety of
Investigator and crew, at Banks Land (as per documenta
directed to b• forwarded by Commander l'ullen) having
nearly accomplished the N. W. by N.E. passage !
" 10. Commander Richards finding that Commander
M'Clintock had poached upon his ground, instantly came
to the determination of visiting the licsolute, and obtaining
all the requisite particulars relative to the Investigator.
" 11. By this course he laid down the shores of the
eastern side of the Hecla and Griper Gulf, and on his return
Came o Bryant Martin Channel, proving its connexion with
our Polar basin.

" 12. Operations for cutting out were complete, when
having despatched a cutter, by calculation to render assist-
ance, she fortunately met Commander Richards at the
critical moment, and after an absence of 94 days I had the
pleasure of taking him by the hand at the mouth of our
canal, on the 12th of July.
" 13. That night, both vessels being afloat and ready,
everything was embarked, and, on the 14th of July, 11
months from leaving Reecho), Icland, the vessels again, free
from accident of any kind, were again in motion on their
proper element. Forty-eight hours found us half-way to
Cape Beecher, two more lays to the land floe to Cape Ac-
land, near Sir R. Inglis Bay, and to-day 10 miles beyond
Cape Beecher, with still 10 miles of open water in advance.
"Dr. Osborne rejoined on the 15th, after an absence of
97 days, having worked for the position said to be attained
by Messrs. Goodeir and Marshall on the south shore, but
without meeting their cairns or marks, even until John
' Barron Hill bore north (true).
" I have directed the North Star to take home, at the
earliest safe moment, the officers and crew of the Investi-
gator, should they arrive, which, I trust, Captain Kellett
will direct, as I do not conceive, looking to their lordship'
instruction., that any farther expense should be incurred
by the detention of that vessel and crew, merely for the
purpose of awaiting the movement of the ice for 20 seasons.
I earnestly hope, however, that she may fortuaately be re-
leased this season, and I have that full confidence in Captain
Kellett that such a desirable termination will not be lost
sight of in connexion with the return of his own vessel this
season. The circumstance of the progress of Commander
M'Cltue and the probability of Captain Collinson's follow-
ing up his track must certainly affect my instructions, and
I confidently look for despatches to guide me in the altered
state of affairs on my return to Beechey Island. I have
said sufficient of my leading officers to make their lordships
aware of their ability and seal. At the end of this service
I hope to be able to report of the general conduct and abili-
ties of all the others.

" Fully trusting that their lordships will feel satisfied,
not only that all has been done, but that we are ready and
willing to do more,
" I have the honour to be your most obedient servant,
" EDWARD BILCHIR, Captain,
" Commanding Arctic Squadron."
" Her Majesty's ship Assistance, Winter Quarters,
Northumberland Sound, Sept. 22, 1852, let.
76.52 N., long. 97 W.
" Sir,—Being at this moment about to examine the coast
(by sledge) easterly to Cape Beecher and Hamilton Island, I
take this precaution, in the event of any party from the
North Star visiting our cairns, to afford the latest informa-
tion of our proceedings.
" On the 14th of August, as my despatch left with Com-
mander Pullen would inform you, I cleated &whey Island,
leaving there Captain Kellett with his instructions, and who
would see the North Star safely docked before quitting.
Steaming on we passed up Wellington Channel without ob-
serving Baring Bay, or any of the deep indentations of the
new chart, or the Mount Franklin of De Haven. On the
morning of the 16th we noticed a very remarkable pile en
• hill, apparently the work of man, and I immediately
moved on in the Pioneer, examined it, and obtained my
first well-axed position in these regions. The pile was
found to be merely the remains of a dike, which, being
harder than the surrounding matter, bad remained until it
had acquired a height of 20 feet—about 14 in the meri-
dian, and 6 feet E. and W. The position of our cairn
(about 100 yards south of it) was in lat. 76 12 52 N., long.
92 48 42 W., evidently the rise from the point where one
of the searching parties observed, in 76 13, distant about
two miles west from us. But the bays, formed north and
south, free from ice, do not exist in any manner worthy of
more than slight indentations. The ice or snow, as the
southern land is very low, must have deceived the previous
visitors. I think I may safely say, that not the moot distant
hope of any communication by sea exists in this direction
with Jones's Sound. Although, from the fogs and vapours
which were particularly noticed from the crow's nest on
board, and by myself from the deck, exhibiting at times the
appearance of smoke from fires, I am inclined to suspect ex-
tensive lakes or arms of the sea, &c., running parallel to the
northern land, and possibly connecting by some very
narrow neck, but westerly much, as it would otherwise
materially influence the tides in this region. I now speak
determinedly in calling things by their proper names—at
least, if any tides are acknowledged in the English Chan-
nel—regular rise and fall, ebb and flood. Leaving this
position, and having already made my mind up not to in-
terfere with :any land whish could have been seen and
named by Capt. Penny's people, I pushed on to the west-
ward, reaching Cape Beecher about midnight,where a depo-
sit of 42 days' provisions for 10 men was well secured, and
notice of our movement left. Passing westerly, we reached
about 4 p.m., the extreme land. Here I erected a very con-
spicuous cairn, and from the summit (about 1,000 feet above
the sea) obtained a view of the distant laud, easterly and
southerly, to S.W., where it ceased at what I shall con-
tinue to consider as Cape Lady Franklin, reserving the
name of Sir John for the base of my bill. But hence the
view from Cape Beecher was entirely cut off by an interven-
ing point not less than 12 miles. The coastline, diminished
much in length, will, however, accommodate Captain
Penny's names, giving to the island next to me Cracroft
and Point Sophia, and the points of others his different
names.

I

Lain,
testlihtaaen dstiole net
es tubmoi
time
hruy:
te.t;
rt
zhhb being :13
inairrnarlinMdsiatiaf,
to,
octf.tv:
covered, I wok possession of it in due form as ' M ain't
seai
ceed
i beneathhe
tio
floe
Northumberlandcee'hin pt cl
d in Shoeurn.d .0 n
tae
compel let me to seek for security for the r:aa"
which the sound happily afforded. But, ai it continual to
press in, no time WA, to be lint in solectiug asp Wharf e
might securely winter. This, fortunately, offered abut,
three miles westerly, where the vessels are now wen
frezen in.
•• On the lath 1 mate an excursion to one of the lag•
- amt
peaks of the ouat ing rth-western island, Irons which
' I obtained angles to Cape Lady Franklin, as well as to the
southern and westernmost lands, where it seemed to tread
away SS.W. ; true the next very distant land bore NICE ,
about 30 to 3a miles, being nearly the cumnuteddirtaiste
which we were from Cape Lady Franklin. I sapeejany
mark these computed distances to show that under the
most favourable circumstances in this climate, and with
first-rate instruments, I could barely, at such distaneet,
be sure of the objects presented to my view; and even then
I asked my assistant to 'musty himself that it really was
land which I took.
"As tar, therefore, as my observations from this rant,
and those of Ccmmauder Richards, from a 11111,11
mountein' about five miles easterly of me on the main, are
concerned, there is no visible loom of land between Cape
Lady Franklin and the newly-discovered land, N.N.E.; er,
by actual observation, 143.2 of the horizon.
" From the free motisn of the tides :.cad floes in slat
direction, he re lamina to the channel (say 'N.N.w tad
S.S.E.), I am satisfied that we are now in the Polar Sea,
composed, in all probability, of a great archipelago of islets
and sandoauks.
" Time was now too precious to lose in waiting for open
water for the ship ; indeed, I judged correctly in estimating
'the season' closed, and inonethately determined on boa;
and sledge work. It was first intended to take two beat,
but the former Arctic men thought that appearmets
indicated firm ice or floes. For my own part, I determined
to secure my great object of settling the poation of all we
had seen, and of being properly prepared for further
operations. The light ice-boat, built after a mod,: kat to
me by Captain Hamilton, and named after him, ass
attached to my sledge. Commander Richards had the
second sledge, and Lieutenant Osborne the third, provi.
sioned for 21 dap, and with a precautionary depot seat
overland to a hay likely to afford shelter. The party :anal
on the 23rd of August. It was soon found that the pons
and cracks between the floes could not ho managed by Lae
boat, and she little better than pasteboard as to thicknett ;
a whale-boat was therefore added. It is immaterial Ear
to mention particulars, but on the Intla we landed en
a low point, where the coast suddenly tuns to tie
outward, and discovered the remains of several well.
built Esquimau: houses, not simply circles of sena
stones, but two lines of well-laid well in excavated
ground, filled in between by about two fee: of tine gem!,
well paved, and withal presenting tie appearance of
great care—more, indeed, O. in I am willing, to attribute to
the rude inhabitants or miaratory Etquinanux. Bones of
deer, walrus, seals, &ca numerous. Coal found.
" The addition of the whale-boat rendered the movements
of the other party so slow, that I was compelled to move on
singly, leaving Commander Richards to complete the tout
line search from hi- advanced station as long as his provi-
sions would last (cue sledge having swamped and spoiled
the greater part.)
" On the evening of the 27th of August, the aneivetsary
of the action at Algiers, 1 took possession of the first large
island seen from the former station, naming it, in compli-
ment to the gallant Commander-in-Chief, Exmouth
Island.' The summit namal Milne Peak—our second in
command. To the eastward of me lay a long table island,
to which Commander Richards would repair, and connect it
with our survey From :he summit of this island, 580 feet
above the sea, and in lat. 77.1 a N., I had anticipated the
satisfaction of commanding a most extensive range. I was
miserably disappointed ; and, after watching two succes-
sive days, for hours, through rnowstorrns, for merely some
glimpse of the land I had now to seek, I was barely re-
warded by ascertaining that an open sea, of about 17 miles,
would enable me to reach it, if the wind permitted; teethe
boat, when sledge-laden, with tent, bedding, provisions,
&c.. was not very sate, even on the Thames above bridge.
Fortune favoured us, and, by aid of sails (tent-bottom) and
paddles, we reached oar destination the next afternoon,
after six hours' toil. The ice then moving on to the land
completely entrapped us, but we were safe on terra firma.
Thick snowy weather continued with light gleams at times,
affording us occasionally glimpses of Exmouth and Table
Islands. I took possession of this new addition to her
Majesty's territories under the title of ' North Cornwall'
in compliment to his Royal Highness the heir 'parent.
Waiting to secure this position, which was dote' mined to bo
in lat. 77 33 30 N., long, about 97 W., and having ascended
the highest point of land (within three miles N.E ) and
satisfied myself that I commanded ,the north-west extreme
for a radius of five miles at least, and that no land within
the range of Exmouth Island (17 miles distant) existed
westerly of me, I returned to the beach, and having hauled
the boat overland, to clear the ice which had entrapped 119,
launched into the open water, and pulled along the south-
western line of the island about 17 miles, where we landed
and encamped for the night.
" This position proved to be the southern angle of North
Cornwall, situated in 77 28 50 N. The weather still con-
tinued thick, with occasional snowfalls, and hiding most
of the objects which I was co anxious to obtain—indeed,
barely sufficient of Exmouth and Table Islands to secure
my position.
tt But in the eastern horizon, where the sun at times
shone brightly, I was enabled from a very elevated position
to satisfy myself that no land was visible in the eastern
horizon for 30 miles; and the eastern low extremity of this
land, North Cornwall, distant about 10 miles E.N.E.
" Throughout this very interesting search not a particle
of drift wood has been noticed since quitting Village Point,
and not a trace of human beings. Animal life seems to fail
after quitting Exmouth Island. It is possible that the
snow may have covered many objects, but we noticed them
even when heavier snow had fallen on Table Island.
"If our unfortunate countrymen have taken the floe
and drifted with it' their case is hopeless. If we may
judge from the aspects of the floes, where they had
come into collision, or where they piled themselves in
layers over 40 feet on the north-western extremities of the
Islands, the feeling was disheartening. We noticed nothing
equal to it in Melville Bay. Our only resource now is the
search of the coast line west and south-weiterly and north
and easterly for any traces of vessels or crews.
" The tides in the parallel of 77.30 are regular east and
west, the flood coming from the east, anti that tide to the
north appearing to prevail at a depth below the ordinary
thickness of the floe, as we frequently noticed detached
heavy masses, drawing some eight or ten feet, pressing
rapidly and forcibly against the weather floe edge, and a
stiff breeze. The boat was on one occasion so forced to
windward, and stove.
"Finding little chance of better weather, young ice form-
ing, and our position being very precarious in such a frail
boat against the glassy ice even now on the surface, we took
advantage of the lull, and fortunately effected our escape,
under great difficulty, to Table Island, the day following
Exmouth Island, and forward, rejoining Commander
Richards and party before reaching Village Point.
" I cannot take leave of the little boat without expressing
in common with all her crew, our admiration of her most
perfect adaptation for the service contemplated. She bad,
it is true, sundry severe injuries, but under Providence we
escaped and returned safely. She has yet, I trust, much to
earn before she is laid up with her ' honours due.'
" From our examination of this northern sea I now feel
convinced that the so-termed Smith and Jones's Sounds
are connected immediately with this northern sea. If
Franklin passed easterly through Lancaster Sound to t/
the opening of Jones or Smith's outlets, we may yet fall
upon his traces, as my own spring movements will carry
mein that direction. Commander Fallen or Mr. M'Cor-
sick may have '
already, in part, settled this important
question • they were tally impressed by me with the impor-
tance of that course of search.
"Oar parties returned to the ship on the Bth of Septem-
ber, having been absent but 16 days. It was satisfactory,
at ll events, to find that the opinion I had formed of the
mason had been fully borne Cut, the vessels being securely
frozen in from the period we quitted.
" So rapidly, indeed, did the ice appear to be uniting in
one common floe, that immediate preparations were made
for sending out autumnal parties with the depots for the
southern spring search. The 13th of September was, in-
deed, fixed for starting, but gaps were noticed from our
bill (one of the highest in this vicinity), which entirely
stopped our proceedings.
" Eventually, on the 22nd, I determined on endeavouring
to search closely by the coastline between tine and Cape
Becher, aas our rapid movement might have caused some
little object to pass unnoticed—not probable.
" This letter was intended to be deposited at the depot
there, for Commander Pullen- Circumstances, now to be
detailed, p ted our getting more than one-third of the
distance—our return we had to be grateful for. On the
morning of the 22nd the same sledges and leading officers
started on this service unfortunately with a boat. Having
reached and pitched our tents for the third night on an
island about 12 mile. to the southward of Mount Percy, or
18 from the ship, the ice also betraying symptoms of great
weakness. Bad weather set in, broke up the ice, and cut
us off from communication with the main land for more
than a week, reducing it to half allowance, and materially
depressing the spirits of our men. Food we had in a walrus
which we killed; also plenty of fuel. But no one knew bow
long this imprisonment was to last, and the anxiety too
often expressed for very low temperatures was uncommon
in these told regions. At length our wishes were in some
measure realised; the comminuted floes froze once more into
ice that bore, and we escaped to the main, skirting its edge
until we gained a safe landing at nig"t, after sundry un-
pleasant escapes.
" Further expeditions this season were cut off, not only by
the severity of the cold, but by the sea maintaining a tem-
perature which prevented heavy ice from forming.
" I now (having retained this letter) proceed to add my
observations on our late cruise. The subject is one which
requires but little comment—via the visual discoveries of
Penny. It is my wish to give him every credit; for he is
entitled to much for what he his done. He has evinced a
masterly and vigorous intellect beyond the usual powers for
men not educated for surveying operations. Here, how-
ever, I cease.
" It is probable that he saw beyond what he bad any right
to see, but our longitudes, &c., will evince not so the
right direction. Therefore, although I disclaim any ma-
thematical right be has, willingly give him up all his Poe-
sible radius of vision from any point which we can see.
and from which, although never visited by him, we might
be seen.
" I have, therefore, throwing overboard the true bear._
ing, as well as the passibility of his seeing our points of
the termination of the Queen's Channel. retained the
names of Sir John and Lady Franklin u oar turning

au (woe t•;•4 'mbar an island intervenes, cutting of
pe 6.1,4 oboist twelve miles to the south). The
Wee he ; • :0 may be scattered over the intermediate

pints.
joy r. turn th- ships were housed in, stores landed,
and every preparation made for winter. As it had been
tatiwatiil to Ise that magnetic oliserrAtions on a consulate
,e,.;e during the winter would be important, an observatory
eras cosstrui .sol on shore, aail the de,iination magneto-
eart.r sot rip. lam happy to say tb,a volunteers from
both vessels are crowed sn this dsl:cate, but tedious,
duty. aid I trust that our records may be able to tell their
own tale.
A. ay •it despatches will be sent by the Spriug
W° .t.l to Witt Captain Kellett to the S W., and
iolumandv: Puilen to the S , I w.tl wut until the period
r ,tsrlino irrivcs, chin I hops to ba able to state our
yrespects intention. more fully.
" I illTe the honour to he, sir,
Your most obedient s-rvant,
" ED%VAILD BELCHER,
"Captain Commanding Arctic Expedition."

Vitt Court.

- 4. -

The Turkish Mini to visited the Earl of Cluerdon
yestioday, at the Fort ign-office.
The Lent Advocate of Sc,stland had an interview with
the E of Aberdet u yastcrilay, at his rssid,suce in
Donainipstreet.

ROYAL POLVIECIINIt INstlnilos.—Yesterday
the Burma . lirsanow sad the ltassian royal family pa.d
a 'kit to t)t Wad:Mimi.