The Express.
London, England, 1851-09-30 00:00:00

RETURN OF CAPTAIN AUSTIN'S
EXPEDITION.

days, we had still a third of our original stock of provisions
on hand, showing that we had by our own exertions, us a
country previously totally unknown to us, obtained the
means of subsistence far 12 months. Why may not Sir J.
Franklin's party do the same ? If he has been providen-
tially thrown on or near a part of the coast where reindeer
and fish are at all numerous, surely out of so many officers
and men sportsmen may be found, after some practice, ex-
pert enough to shoot the former, and fishermen to seize or
net the latter, er take them with hook and line set under
the ice?
When I began this letter it was my object to give you as
brief an outline as possible of my contemplated operations,
but I have digressed sadly, and must now endeavour to re-
turn to the subject. In the spring, should our stock of 1
ions admit of it, I purpose proceeding, with a couple
of
of companions and a sledge of three dogs, iu the beginning
of May, 15 or 20 days' march to the northward, between
Victoria and Wollaston Lands, during which trip I hope to
travel 600 or GOO milts (i.e., 260 or 300 miles out and the
same distance homeward), should we meet with no very
serious obstacle. In the meantime provisions for the sum-
mer's voyage will be hauled on sledges and deposited at the
Kendal river, to which place the boats are to be brought
over as soon as the Douse River breaks up, which may be
about the Gth or 7th of June, when I shall be at the Ken-
dal to meet them, and prepared to descend the Coppermine
, as soon at it becomes clear of ice. Thu direction to be after-
.' wards followed will depend much upon the state of the sea
ice, and the appearance and trending of the lands that I had
visited in my previous journey.
The winter sets in here rattler early, the thermometer
having fallen to zero (Fah.) on the 23rd ultimo. Since then
the weather has been mild for the season, with continued
easterly winds, which, for the past week, has caused our
hunters to be unsuccessful, as it has led the deer (which in-
variably travel head to wind) to a great distance.
I cannot expect you to afford space in your paper for this
lengthy communication, but perhaps you may consider some
portions of it, if put into somewhat better form, worthy of
appearing in print.—l em, Sir, &c.,

We have to announce the return to our shores of
the chief north-west searching expedition, under the
command of Captain Austin, C. 8., consisting of the
Resolute, Captain Austin ; Assistance, Captain Om-
maney; Intrepid, screw-steamer, Lieut.-Commander
Bertio Cator ; and Pioneer, screw-steamer, Lieut.-
Commander Sherrard Osborne. The ships arrived
off Scarborough on Sunday, and the Intrepid put
into Yarmouth for a pilot. Letters were despatched
ins ships from the Admiralty last night to meet
them on the coast; but it is likely the steamers will
be at Woolwich to-day.
Captain Austin's expedition got out of winter
quarters on the 11th of August, when, us the gallant
officer informed the Admiralty in his dispatch by
Captain Penny, he made his way homewards, de-
termined to look into Jones's Sound by the way.
Failing, however, to penetrate the sound, in conse-
quence of its being blocked up with heavy ice, he
made for Cape Farewell, doubled it on the 16th of
September, made the Orkneys on the 24th, and,
breasting and dashing through the heavy gale of
wind last week in the North Sea, arrived off Scar-
borough on Sunday.
The following is a correspondent's letter, an-
nouncing his arrival, and giving a short summary of
the services of the expedition :
Her Hajesty's Ship , Sept. 28, 1851,
Off Scarborough.
Dear Sir,-1 dare say you have heard all the news, Ross
and I'enny having, no doubt, arrived long since.
Arctic news must have become stale to the public: !
shall therefore merely state, that, notwithstanding that
we have been assisted by the strong arm of steam, we did
not get through the Melville Bay barrier until the 12th
August, 18.50. Examined Wolstenholme Sound and made
the entrances of Lancaster Sound on the 18th ; made Cape
Riley and Beechy Island on the 23rd ; and found traces of
the missing expedition sufficient to prove that they had
wintered at Beech), Island in safety in the rigorous season
of 1845-6.
Sept. 10. AU of us got checked in our further progress
to the westward by an impenetrable barrier of ice, so that
Abe government expedition, Captain Penny's, and the
American's, were all brought to a stand. The "genii of
tilts ice " declaring that " thus far shall you come, but no
•rthcr,"

JonN RAE.

INADGCRATION OF THE SHERIFFS OP LONDON
AND MIDDLESEX.—This morning, according to annual
custom, the Lord Mayor, together with the members of the
Court of Aldermen, the Recorder, and other civic authori-
ties, proceeded in state to the Court of Exchequer, West-
minster-hall, lee the purpose of presenting the sheriffs
elected for the year ensuing, T. Cotterell, Esq., and
R. Swift, Esq., to the Cursitor Baron, E. Bankcs, Esq.,
31. P., fur the approval of her Majesty. Pre-
rims to proceeding to Westminster, the sheriffs enter-
tained the :slasters,Wardens, Court of Assistants, and Livery
of the Cordwainers and Spectacle-makers Companies, of
which they are respectively members, at breakfast, at Cord-
wainers'-hall ; after which they proceeded to Guildhall, and
joined the Lord Mayor and aldermen, and officers of the
serporation. At one o'clock the civic cortege left
Quedhall in the usual order of procession. They
meharked in the state barges for Westminster-bridge,
where the procession disembarked, and proceeded to the Court
of Exchequer, and took up their stations within the bar.
The usual ceremony having been gone through, the civic
eseNge left the court, and re-embarked, and on landing
proceeded to Cordwaincrs'-hall, where a sumptuous ban-
quet will take place.
EXTENSIVE FIRE AT PUTNEV. APPREIIENSION
OP ALLEGED INCENDIALUES.— Shortly after two o'clock
this morning, in the neighbourhood of Richmond-road,
Putney, a serious fire broke out on the premises of the Fox
and Hounds livery-stables. The building in which the
flames commenced contained a quantity of hay, straw,
harness, horse', and a number of pigs, The policeman who
was on duty in the neighbourhood had his attention directed
to the premises by a lad who slept in them, and who has
since been taken into custody on suspicion of having had
some band in causing the fire. The moment the constable
arrived he found that the fire was rapidly extending over
the property ; he therefore exerted himself in • most praise-
worthy manner, and happily succeeded in rescuing the
horses and a quantity of harness, but unfortunately before
he could get to the pigs they became enveloped in
flames, and were smothered. With as little delay as
possible , the parish engine arrived, and was set
to work from a pump, the only supply of water
that could be procured, which was exceedingly unfair-
, tunatc, as the same was soon exhausted. By the time engines
arrived from London the premises in which the conflagra-
tion commenced were burnt down, and considerable damage
The New York Albion of a recent date gives the done to those adjoining. As soon as the dames were got
following interesting communication from Dr. Rae, out au inquiry was instituted with a view of learning how
whose zealous laboura in the cause of humanity have
already made his name familiar to the public: the disaster occurred, the result of which led to the appre-
hension of two men and the lad before alluded to,
Fort Confidence, north-east end ofsuspicion of havin wilfully set the premises on fire.
Great Bear Lake, on
hee, Oct. 14, 1860.
"
Sir,—The protracted absence of the excellent Sir John The
be examinged before the magistrates at the
Franklin and his gallant companions has excited so much Wandsworth police-court this day. The total less will
interest and anxiety in the public mind, not only in Eng- =aunt to several hundred pounds. The premises WO MI
land, but in all civilised communities, that I offer no apology insured in the County Fire-office. The contents belonged
for troubling you with the present communication, whits,
to
however unimportant in itself, may be thought worthy of a Mr. Denny the cornchandler, of Lambeth, and it is not
corner in your valuable paper, in consequence of the sub- known whether they are insured.
a trit on which it Gaits, although I most sincerely hope that, THE BRITISH MUSEUM.—In consequence of the
ore this reaches you, news may be received that some number of persons who are still desirous of visiting this in-
well-equipped sea expeditions to the Arctic coast dur- teresting museum, it is announced that it will continue to
the past sunsmerhave effectually relieved the long suffer- remain open to the public until the 10th of October next
img explorers. (Saturdays excepted), when it will finally close till the 20th
In addition to the several ship expeditions sent from of that month. The hours of admission will be from 10 to
England and the United States last season to search the four, as heretofore.
Arctic shorn, it was the intention of the Hudson's
Company that two or more boat parties formed froisißsasye LAUNCH OF A ROYAL MAIL STEAMER AT
Minn and servants in this portion of' their territories, Bnisrot.—On Saturday last the water was admitted into
timid descend the Mackenzie River, and trace the coa the duck, for the purpose of floating out another of those
Mt and west from its mouth, as far as practicable. gigantic vessels, of which tire have been built at different
Being in charge of the Mackenzie River district, I re- ports for the Royal West India Mail Steam Packet C0m-
0ri,,,,1 instructions to the above effect frown Sir Geo Simp- eny This vessel, the Demerara, has been built by the
son (the able and ents rprising territorial governor)ge in the atesars. Patterson, celebrated as the constructors of the
latter part of last June, when on the annual voyage to Great Western, the Great Britain, the Severai au Ave.,
ro=te La Loche or Mithy Purtige, with the furs, the., ob- are. It being a most beautiful morning, lung bah" re
in the winter. At the same time Commander l'ullen time appointed (10 o'clock) thousands of spectators 010
(wtre had come with a party of limen from her Majesty's sembled to witness the imposing spectacle, which won kb.
a 4 plover to the much,. autumn, 1849), bei gi creased by the whole of the immense crowd of vessels in
nenipn„y,on his ,ay to England, rise York factory, received the floating harbour being dressed out in a gay and brilliant
orders from the Admiralty toreturn to the Arctic coast, and display of flags, streamers, &c. Owing to some =foetus
proceed alongshore eastward as far as Cape Bathurst, and nate delay, me gate of the dock was not opened until
thence strike out to sea direct for Banks's Lad. Unfortu- by the recession of the tide the water in the
niggly, from unavoidable circumstances, the stock of provi- floating harbour had sunk nearly two feet, and
sions available at Fort Simpson and other stations in the consequently when it was admitted there was not saffi-
district were so small that only one party could be suf. cient to float her out of the dock, and she was compelled
ficiently victualled; of course. precedence was given t to remain in statu quo until the evening flood, when she
Commander Pullen, and he immediately changed his course entered gracefully on her future element, and was safely
towards the north. By the same conveyance I learned that moored in the harbour. The ceremony of naming her was
Sir George Simpson had, with his usual perspicuity, or- duly performed by the lady of Lieut. Hat, R.N., the coni-
dered two boats loaded with pemmican and dour to be for- mooorc of the West India squadron, and the future corn•
warded from Red River colony by the first open water in mender of the Demerara. This fine vessel is, with the
the spring, and these I hoped would reach it to some ex- exception of the Great Britain, the largest steam ship afloat.
tent westward. But in this 1 was disappointed, for although Her length of keel is 276 feet, length between the perpen-
we travelled with as much rapidity as possible from the diculars 282 feet, length over all 31G feet, or about G feet
portage, where he met the boats, we did not arrive at Fort shorter than the Great Britain; the breadth of beam is 41
Simpson until the 16th of August, a date much too late to feel, and her extreme width from the outside of her
attempt what was intended to be done, as it would be the paddle.boxes is 74 feet ; depth to the main deck,
20th or 25th of the month before we could reach the sea. 26 feet 8 inches ; depth of spar deck, 7 feet ;
tinder these circumstances it was difficult to decide how tonnage by old measurement 2,318 tons, and by the new
the men and provisions at my disposal could be employed to measurement upwards of 3,000 tons. She is constructed of
most advantage. sound British oak, teak, and pine, and is diagonally trussed
It being the belief of those on whose judgment most re- with iron, is copper fastened throughout to the 21 ft. mark,
hence can be placed that the missing vends are shut up and iron fasten all above. She will be fitted with two
somewhere between the longitude of 103 deg. and 113 most
engines made by Means. Csird and Co., of Greenock, which
west, and latitude 71 deg. north, it is evident that the most will be constructed on the aide lever principle, of the rem-
direct route thither from the southward is the Communism bined power of 750 horses, or 24,600,000 lbs., 96-inch
River, and that is the route I intend to follow next moaner, rflinden, and 9 feet stroke. They will be attached
if I receive no intelligence that the searching parties of this to a pair of Morgan's patent feathering float
season have been successful. To carry out my intentions I Eaddleg. An elegant ikieoneer was given at the
started from Fort Simpson with two boats, Mr. H. White Lion Hotel, at which between 40 and 50 gentlemen
tr.Keaala (a. assistant) and 14 woo, on she um afhaeraees sat down, presided over by Mr. Patterson, supported on
owing to the hood wise and Moreau Imolaa as theTreiie the right by Captain Mangles, one of the division of the
lake I gig sea anal" hero and the 1i ow Thome . our Royal West India Mall Steam Packet Company, aad on
winter trumenten, adotaltaaseek the masa wan hese= the
an left by Lieut. Hut, R.N., the commodore of the am-
conditiem as wheal Massa hot autumn, py. The whole of the nautical gentlemen present passed
but dorm, wition, ada mat Omni MD Wren habit- great encomiums on the beauty of her model and the mash
able. As we mom not import a esedemsea of fine fence of her workmanship, and of her sailing qualities they
weather, en the. was toot in esWlmltg minim and entertained no doubt. Captain Mangles stated that theft
procuring elahes ham gee amine, so sob lin asp a winter commodore, Lieut. Heat, had been instructed to inspect the
stock, in whisk we have boa mere summand Use lat one whole of the five new vessels now built, and to select the
time antic/Nee& imolai already taa head abed bea math.. one he preferred for his permanent command. That gen-
ons fee all our party, amomating to 111 meow ad 13 tleman had done so, and having selected the Demerara was
• sufficient proof of her excellence—a fact which spoke
t I feared would be the most difficult matter to ac• beyond all other commendations.
eimaplish WY the building of two boats light enough to be A MEETING, CONVENED BY THE ADVOCATES Cl
transported moor the Ceppermine, as it was very generally TER NEW AntatcAn COSTUME, of which Mrs. Bloomer
thought that the wood in this neighbourhood was not suit- is the reputed founder, was held in the British Inatitutien,
able for that pumping; and the Isfa Mr. Simpson mentions Cowper-street, Finsbury, last night. It was announced
in his mtratrve that Wm worsts: had much trouble in that the proceedings would commence at boats halfz.. .t
longs bug& sullisind his boats. grog to mak . lam o'clock, and that -Mrs. C. H. Dexter would
tea.* my art we lave moodod mar better than was meeting. Long before seven o'clock many hundreds of
ems of dm boas babe aka* more than half persons assembled in front of the building, and thonk
fkillooll, sae boards ease& Mina Ile INllMploto both. They the populace was extremely dense, the mob unusually
ego Oa he 21 Ast keel, 0 Met 0 iodise beam, and 2 feet 3 violent, and the demands for admission indescribably
bike mliships, exclusive of keel, and each rigged clamorous, the clock struck eight before the doors were
Midi Ome opened. As may be readily imagined, the assembled
it am bo owayoood by many that to continue the search persons f pressed with great zeal into the building,
kg Or kb. Proaktia bora& the ensamer of 1850, if not some were trodden down, others fainted, and the large
Ilwa INA wail bo a ussiwo warts of time, labour, and hall, which is capable of holding about from 1,200 to
gamy; bat with Ibis oopposidoa I cannot agree, and my 1,500 persons, rapidly filled. The prices of admiss;on were
a
gab. is Amid es • posoral experience which few per- fixed as follows :—For the hall, 3d ; for reserved seats,
Nat law boil as eppostemity of acquiring, and which leads lid. ; and for the platform, Is. ; but, owing to the want of
se le bane iird a past or ell of Sir John's party
arrangement that prevailed, not one out of a hundred
who
mat/
exist inllll. lltil I wintered at Repulse Bay wi catered the building paid anything for admission. The in
ea la
-
a pony eta= only I et whom, before arriving these, MIOSI which clapeell between the admission of the auditor
y
bend opor wiser aggggg, sad 2 others were We- and the time appointed for the entrance of the Bloomersry
ass. We MY et am fed abet mold be properly mealisd was pared In a soot disorderly manner. All sorts of—kil
the mud with whisk sag Ni.. house was plastered never sad wittleimes wore bandied about, and jobs.
the eau*
dried but only anesteailit ova so cold inside that a mom, Mae remarks were made at the expense of the dross reformers.
I Idibt, Sot lid kw* blebbleeele. &bee& be hod ems *this As the principal performers were se
ow, it was Mr
NIMPOINSS mar Se bilebele will ben- Tee, we elegeeed grated that a ran- 1 chorus of " Blade Gals, can't yes
se riesdew wselleeded bed, essere dm ender the short- come out to-night" would be an appropriate' invitation
to expedition. fatia after this a said to be one er
ell ago wo book nig are mud per dials so a
,am karat/.% krart= be tbririssearrett the vergers of St. Peal's CathedrCentrtl • looking
Stbo ofoladoor
=imself ia the =tad a; id was ai 'Ma,
y but
sea woos sot mob the wows kr oar avenue to y dossed.
Nil eel lew diet may be inferred from the ha 2., the theasease eg tut oho hmhaPPer=irr aiitheisoin°mkit".
we tonal about 600 miles of new coast,
=of Cammaine Hay, in doing which I and...-e=' my ouldwoos
the halt antrillesek a Plot took plan, mayor the
deskrinLsytlnlr blondes to take kill slam to se-
ams Ni sal en het upwards of 1,000 milts, and were, onthehad paid at em dem.
cover mousy
sir seem
ile=k rather low in flesh) usowed and well
NOMWs ACCIDENT.—'IIia English steamer the This ran,
Wain Yea hetely, in June, 1848, we bad not on the night of the 24th, on to the breakwater at Ostend.
moss Air alb I provisions with us ; when we re- The fog was very thick at the time. The promen and
team pm, slim la absence of It months and 23 crew (NO in number) were saved.

On the 11th the Intrepid got steam up (having Captain
Ommanney on hoard), and made an attempt to get to Cape
Walker, but thick weather and the state of the ice com-
pelled her to return to the squadron. This was the last
attempt to get to the westward. The tquadron mooring
to a floc between Griffiths' and Cornwallis' Islands in
let. 71 deg. 30 min. N., 10ng.95 deg. 20 min. W., where we
spent the winter, and I believe with about the same degree
of comfort as all other winters have been spent in those
regions.

Early in tho spring preparations were made for travelling.
Everything that human ingenuity could suggest was done
to secure facility of motion and comfort, and on the 15th
of April 14 sledges, manned with upwards of 100 seamen,
started in various directions of the floe to scorch for our
missing countrymen on shores hitherto untrod by civilised
MR.

On the 4th of July, Lieutenant M'Clintock's, the last of
the travelling parties, returned front Melville Island,
having been absent 81 days. No traces of missing expe-
dition.
We got out of winter quarters on the 11th August.
made an attempt to look into Jones's Sound, but could not
approach from its being blocked with heavy ice ; rounded
Cape Farewell on the lbth September, and make the Ork-
ncys on the 24th, when we experienced a very hard gale of
wind in the North Sea; but now, thank God, it is over, and
we are all safe sad well.

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 30, 1851.

gpe Court.

BALMORAL, SUNDAY, Barr. 28.
Her Majesty drove yesterday to the Falls of Gar-
ninth, attended by the Marchioness of Douro and the Ben.
Beatrice Brag.
Prince Albert went out deer stalking.
Baron Liebig arrived at Balmoral yesterday.
The dinner party yesterday included the Duchess of
Kent, Lady Augusta Bruce, the Earl of Carlisle, and Baron
Liebig.

Lord John Russell has left Capel Curig for Rhyl, North
Wales. ..

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has left Hickleton
near Doncaster, for Garrowby house, Stamford Bridge.
Earl Grey has left Taymouth Castle, the scat of the Mar-
quis of Brendalbanc, for Balmoral.
Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-office
from the Governor of Canada and the Governors of the
other North American colonies. Despatches were also re-
ceived from the Governors of the Gambia, and St. Helena.