The Express.
London, England, 1850-02-19 00:00:00

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With referenda to the farther endeavours you have di-
rected to be made in learnt of the miming expedition under
Sir Jobs Franklth, I have now thelteaotir to transmit copies
of my letters to thief trader Rae and chi f factor Ballender,
exaveying instrunices on that subject, which I trust ycu
will approve.
January 21, 1860.
John Rae, Big , Hudson's Bay Company, M'Keosie
River D.strict.—Dear Sir —Up to the present time no intelli-
seems of any kind has been resolved reepecting the expedi-
tion under the command of Big John Franklin, its fate
canting the mat intense interest net only on the part of the
British government and publie;bitt of the whole trivalent
world. The maritime pawns of Europe and the United
States are now Tieing with each other as to who shall be the
first to discover some tram of the miming navigators, and if
they be still alive, render thus eminence. By the accom-
panying correspondence between the governor and commit-
tee sad the Admiralty; and by the succeed copy of a litter
addressed to me by Lady Fianna, end my reply, you will
see that her Majesty's government are exceedingly anxious
that farther efforts should be made by the Madera's Bay
Company to Implore the Arnie Boa Isom the M•Ken ale rivet.
I am Tepee that in the course of a few weeks braes we
may be in possession of your report on your operations last
summer, with, I trust, some intelligent* respecting the
expedition. If they be still alive, I feel satisfied that every
effort it may be in the poser of man to make to succour
them will be exerted by yourself and the company's efficen
in M'Kensie river; but should your late search have un-
fortunately eaded in disappointment, it is the desire of the
eempany that you renew your explorations next summer, if
possible.
By the ed correspondence), you will observe that the
opinion in Ragland appears to be that oar exploretions
ought to be more particularly directed to that portion of
the Northern Sea lying between Cape Walker os the east,
Melville Island and Banks Lend to the north, and the conti-
nental shore or the Victoria Wands to the south, as then
limits are believed to embrace the *ours' that would have
been pursued by Sir John Franklin, Cape Walker bang
one of the points he was: particularly instructed to make for.
You will therefore be pleased immediately on receipt of this
letter, to fit mot another exploring party to proceed in the
direction above indicated, but varying the route that may
have been followed last summer, which party, besides their
own examination of the coast and islands should be iostrutted
to effer liberal rewards to the Bythimaux to search for
some vestiges of the miming espenitioo ; and similar rewards
should be offered to the Indiana inhabiting the country neer
the cent and Feel's river, and the half breed hurt. re of
M.Kenf.e river, the latter being perhaps more energetic
than the former—souring them that whoever may procure
authentic intelligence will be largely rewarded. Sthul-
taneouly with the expedition to proceed towards Cape
Walker, one or two small parties should be dr patched
to the weetweed of the eltKeaste, la the direction of Point
Barrow, one of which might nut over to the Yoneon river,
sad descending that stream to the sea, carry on their explo-
enlaces in that quarter; while the other, going down the
WlCeozie, might trace the coast from thence towards the
Youcon ; and these patties mast also be instructed to offer
rewards to the natives to promote the search in all dine-
ttes,. By these means there is ftallell to believe that in the
coarse of one year so minute a search may be moue of the
meet and the islands, in the event of the expedition having
paused in that direction, some trace of their ptogrese would
certainly be discovered.
From y .ur experience in Arctic discovery, and peculiar
qual.hca ions for such an undertaking, I am in hopes you
may be enabled yourself to assume toe commend of the
party to proceed to the northward, and as leaden of the two
parties to explore the coast to the westward of the
flukes:ie. You will have to select such efc.n of the
company's service within the district so may appear best
qualified for the duty. Mr. Murray, I thick, would be a
very fit man for one of the leaders, and If one party be
seat by way of the YOOOSII he might take charge of it. la
the event of your goir.g on this expedition you will he
elea.ed to tasks over the charge of the district to Chief
Trader BTU, doting your &hotpot.
In CYO you may be shorokanded, I have by this convey-
ones int ruled Chief Factor Beneather to engage in Rad river
ten choice m a, accustomed to boating, and well fitted (or
such duty as will be required of them; and if there be a
chance of their reaching M'Kensie ricer, or even Atha-
basca, before the breaking up of the ice, to forward them
immediately. Should the mama, however, be tooadvanced to
enable them to accomplish the journey by winter travelling,
Mr. Ballender is directed to increase the pony to fourteen
men, with a guide to be despatched from Red river linen
diately after the opening of the navigation, in two boats
load. d with pensic in sod flour, and a few bales of clothing,
in order to meet in some degree the heavy drain that well
be occasioned on our resources in provisions and necessary
supplies in M'Kenzie's river. The leader of this party from
Red river may perhaps be qualified to act as the conductor
of one of the parties to examine the soul to the westward.
You will notice that the Lords of the Admiralty are de-
sirous that the depots of provision. left on the anthers
wan should be visited, and, if necessary, replenished. I
fear, however, that our luau will not tallow of your carrying
out this part of their plans to any great extent, but whatever
may be possible in that way you will of course do.
At all events, it is absolutely necessary 'to keep up the
depot of clothing and provbions at Fort Good Hope, with an
ample supply of ammunition and fishing tackle, and expe-
rienced fishermen should be stationed at the post; these
precautions are required in ease of any men of the missing
expedition finding their way, or being brought to that One
so that we may be enabled to relieve their wants in food
and clothing, until an opportunity offers to forward them
towards the civilhed world.
I am avers to giving too minute instruetions on
matters of detail, se I rely muck on your good judgment,
energy, sod experience, in mem the tallest effect to the views
of her Majesty's eovernmeut and the company, and you are
to consider you have a turn bliM4l4 to render available
the company's resources in carrying out this service, and
should you net have a sufficient number of mere to form
the parties cooler plated you may abandon one of the
posts in order to draft the men to this e-nica. It is very
much to be regretted that eircesnotaaces have prevented
these instructions being given earlier, as I us apprehen-
sive they may not reach you in time to do much towards
the prosecution of this painfully interesting duty this sea-
soo, but in that case you will have to consider whether
the parties may not Wass the winter near the scene of their
future explorations; this, however, is a point whith must
be left to your own determination.—l remain, At.,
(Signed) G. tantrum.
Lachine, Jan. 21, 1860.
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John BsHeader, Req., Red River Settlement.—Dear Sir
No istalligenes having been up to this time received of the
expedition ander Sir John Franklin, his fats bee excited the
meet Intense interest throughout Great Britain and the
whole civilised world. Mach is expected from the Hudson's
Bey Company in proeurstiag a much of the Aran Seas,
from the direction of M'Keasie river, and herewith are for-
warded Minn: toes to Chief Trader Roe to fi • out three *spier
nog p-rtito, one to i.roceed to the • orthward, in the cirection of
Ceps Walker, under his owe command, and the other two
by way of the M•liessie and the Yeomen to the westward,
inner the ch.rge of slims stunned is MMensie river
"Strict ; and if this picket be forwarded with all ex;se-
duties, it is just panels it ay reach Ms. Ram in time
to enable him to pat these parties la operation
next summer. It is very doubtful that there a sufßcient
number of sees is the disurict fur this service; I have,
therefore, to beg that sales' you receive authentic informa-
tion from Mr. Rae, that further research is unnecessary—a
bare possibility, arising from his having found some true of
thein—you will engage at Red river, for this serene, ten
active able young men, accustomed to boating, and other-
wise properly qualifled for the arduous duty required of
these, and if there be a chance of their reaching Ilackimsie
river, or eves Athabasca, before the open leg of the naviga-
tion, that you will despatch them under the command of
some racer of the company's service within reach,
or some person engaged for the purpose la the
settlement, who has the nueseary quail:otiose foe
each a cheeps sad whose services 'sight be useful
to Mr. Rae wnen is Mittman river. I seed not detail the
requisite pollination, for swab • leader—activity, physical
strength, habits elf mdiumee, perseverance, tact with and
authority over the men, &a, as your naperiesce will suggest
what is rsquired. Should the stanca, however, be too far
advanced when this packet reaches you to en.ible the parry
to reach Athabaca by winter travelling, you will in that
cue engage fourteen men and an experienced guide, to form
the crews of two boats to be despatched from Red liver for
Miens's river immediately the navigation is practicable
la spring with lull cargoes of puska& and lima and a few
Mb sof clothing ;of the latter ',lisle I use aware y will
have bet little to spare, end I believe the stuck in M•Roceie
river is stifticieutry large to meet the contemplated de
mains; bet as the party to be seat by you will be superset-
maisseriaafor whom SO provision has b.en medaitis prudent to
said with them a few neoessaria for their flat winter, while
the provisions are ahaoluti ly regained to increase Ole re-
sources, on which thi re will not only be a certain heavy
drain fur the exploring parties, but it is nimble we may
have to render succour to Sir J. Franklin's expedition, !
should we fortunately succeed in dianiverieg them. The
c ruinous must he oninidrrul as cargo, to be rendered entire
' at 1111'Keesie Weer, whatever may be riquieite fur 'staves,
on the. voyage, to les 'spelled at the posts on the route.
We want sem bat *Mite men ; I therefore piece no re-
striction on the rate of wages, and you may give whatever is
necessary to secure the pick of the settlement. They Amid
not he . egeod fur the year, bat few the time they may he
fawn y• I, et e, Mutt, per U.: 'Jul, cuaa :ins trim •he •isto of
thymus, from the eettlement until their disabuse la