The Sun.
London, England, 1839-05-08 00:00:00

Fart Confidence, Great Bear Lake, Sept. 15,1838.
Honourable Sirs,—lt now becomes our duty to re-
port the incomplete success of the expedition to the
eastward this summer, in consequence of the extraor-
dinary duration of the ice. Much, however, has been
done to prepare the way for another attempt next year ;
and our hopes, instead of being depressed, are elevated
by the knowledge so painfully acquired this season.
On the 6th of June our boats were conveyed on the
ice to the mouth of Dease's River (then just open), the
ascent of which was commenced the following day.
With some assistance from Indians, we reached the
portage, leading to the " Dismal" lakes (discovered
by Air. Simpson last winter), and carried the boats
across it without accident. The ice on these lakes
was still perfectly solid ; and we were provided
with iron-shod sledges for the passage. On these
*e fixed the boats, and the wind being fair, hoisted
sail, which greatly aided the crews on the hauling
ropes. In this manner these frozen reservoirs,
which are fully thirty miles long, were passed in two
days, and we reached our provision station at " Ken-
dall" river on the 19th. There we had the satisfac-
tion to find two men (left there by Mr. S. in April)
well, and their Hare Indian hunters successful in the
chase. Two of these active fellows consented at once
to accompany us along the coast, and proved not only
good voyagers, but during our frequent detentions
among the ice, killed so many rein-deer as enabled us
to save nearly half our summer stock of provisions.
Next day (June 20) we proceeded to the Copper-
mine River, which we found still fast. It gave way on
the 22d, and we decended all its " terrible" rapids at
full flood, while the ice was still driving. Below the
Bloody Fall the ',River did not clear out till the 26th ;
and on the Ist of July we pitched our tents at the
ocean. Two or three Esquimaux families were seen
there, but they took the alarm and fled over the ice to-
wards some distant island. Here, and on various parts
of the coast, a fine collection of plants was made by
Mr. Dease.
We remained imprisoned in the mouth of the Cop-
permine, awaiting the opening of the ice, till the 17th of
July. Our subsequent progress along the coast was
was one incessant, we may say desperate struggle with
the same cold obdurate foe, in which the boats sus-
tained serious damage, several pienks being more than
half cut through. At various points we saw caches of
the Esquimaux placed upon lofty rocks, out of reach of
boasts of beasts of prey ; but we did not fall in with any
of the owners, who seemed to have all gone inland to kill
rein-deer, after their winter seal hunt among the is-
laads. Fragments of Dr. Richardson's mahogany boats
were found widely scattered, and many articles left by
this party at the Bloody Fall were carefully preserved in
the native keepings. On the 29th of July we at length
succeeded in doubling Cape Barrow. The northern
pert of Bathurst's Inlet nas still covered with a solid
sheet of ice, and instead of being able to cross over direct
to Point Turnagain, we were compelled to make a cir-
cuit of 140 miles by Artie Sound and Barry Islands.
On the easternmost of that group, Mr. Simpson dis-
covered, at the base of a crumbling, cliff, several pieces
of pure copper ore, and the adjecent island had also
the appearance of being strongly impregnated with that
mete!. A series of specimens of all the principal
rocks along the coast was preserved. In order to at-
tain Cape Flinders, we had to pr reform a portage across
an island, and several over the ice. On the 9th of
August we doubled that care, and in a little bay, three
miles to the southward of Franklin's farthest encamp-
ment in 1821, our boats were finally arrested by the
ice, which eneotr.plssed them 22 does ; so different was
the season of 1838 from that of 1821, when Franklin
found a perfsetly open sea there on the 16th of August.
In June, the early part of July, and the middia of
August, we had frequent storms, accompanied by snow
and frost ; but during the greater part of Jely and the
beginning of August calms prevailed, which, togetl,er
with the severity of the nrece,iinz winter, we --consider
as the cause of the tardy diseuPtion of the ice this
On the 20th of August we were obliged to relinquish
cur hopes of advancing further with the boats. That
our efforts might not, however, prove wholly fruitless,
Mr. Simpson offered to cenduct an exploring party on
foot for ten days. It was at the same time arranged
between us that in the event of any favourable move-
ment taking place in the ice, Mr. Deese should advance
with one boat. Signals were agreed upon to prevent
nor missing each other on the way; and should we un-
fortunately do so, the last day of August was fixed for
the rendezvous of both parties at Boat Harbour. That
unlucky spot is situated in lat. 68 der. 16 min. 25 sec.
N., long., 109 ,deg. 20 min. 45 sec. W. ; variation of the
compass 46 deg. E. Mr. Simpson's narrative of his
journey sad discoveries-to the eastward is annexed.
On the 21st of August we cut our way out of our
icy harbour—the grave of one year's hopes ; and having
the benefit of fair winds, crossed Bathurst's Inlet among
Wilmot Islands, and safely re-entered the Copperm;ne
River on the 3d of S,ptemlier. The following day we
proceeded to the Bloody Vali, and there secreted our
superfluous provisions: The ascent of the Crppermine
(hitherto deemed impracticable) to near the junction of
Kendal River was accomplished on the fifth day. We
deposited the boats in a woody bluff, where they can be
conveniently repaired next spring ; then taking our
bundles on our backs, we traversed the barren grounds.
and returned to winter quarters yesterday.
Hero we had the satisfaction to find ever'. thing in
good order, the buildings rendered more cog efortable,
and some provisions collecs'd. Our return so much
earlier than we ourselves expected on leaving Point I
.Turnagain, has enabled us to commence the fa :I fisheries I
In good time ; and though our stock of ammo nition and
other necessaries for the Indians is reduced. very low,
want no longer stares us in the face as it did for several
months after our arrival here last year. 'NVe are most
happy to add that the natives have experienced neither
famine nor sickness this season, the only death. within our
knowledge being that of a blind old man.

Septet nber 20.
We have the honour to acknowledge the receipt this
afternoon of Governor Simpson's dispatch or February
1 28tb. As things have fallen out this season, it is for-
tunate that no party was sent down the Great Fish
River to meet us ; and from the experience we now
possess of the coast to the eastward, we are of opin ion
that a retreat by the Coppermine maybe effected, wh en
the entire ascent of the Great Fish River would be no
longer practicable. We feel deeply indebted for the
coafidence reposed in us, and the ample authority gra at-
ed by the Governor's circular and previous letters to
draw upon the resources of all parts of the country.
This power we have hitherto used in extreme model a -
tion, and we are glad to say that we are net reduced t<)
the necessity of exercising it any further. One of c u:r
men leaves us in consequence of a bad complaint, a 31 1
has been replaced by a servant from Mackenzie' s
River. To C, J. M'Phcrson, the gentleman in
charge of that district, we are indebted los; r
valuable assistance in many ways ; likewise to C. 17 .
M'Leod, of Othabasca, Between them our order 0... f
last winter for an additional supply of pemmican dogs., ,
sledge-wood, leather, ammunition, guns, axes, and to -
bacco, has been completed, while the prompt and kin d
attention of-chief trader Ross at Norway House, ha .1
filled the private orders of our people, for a part i )1.
which we now send to Great Slave Lake. By tl le
same conveyance we discharge our Chipewyan hu ca-
ters, as we are unable to provide them any longer wi th
clothing.

Since writing the foregoing, we have been obliged to
condemn one of our two sea boats. In its stead vs re
shall transport an inland batteau, of a rather superic or
construction, built by Ritch, at Fort Chipewyan, tvv
years ago, to the Coppermine next June, by the route
followed this year ; making up the additional bands re—
quired to navigate such a craft with Hare Indian:
hunters. And to convey the expedition from this.
dreary abode at the close of our enterprise, we shall
again require the aid of a boat from Mackenzie's River_
With the utmost respect,
We have the honour to remain, Hon. Sirs,
Your most obedient humble servants,
(Signed) PETER W. DEASE.
THOMAS SIMPSON:-
To the Governor, Deputy-Governor, and
Committee of the Hon. Hudson's Bay
Company, London.

NARRATIVE OF A JOURNEY ON FOOT TO TUE EA$%7

war.o.
On 'the 20th August, the day appointed for the retr r rn
of former expeditions from those desolate shores, I 1 e ft
our boats still hopelessly beset with ice, to perforr a a
ten days' journey of discovery on foot to the eastwe a• d.
my companions were five servants aad two India n s.
We carried a wooden-framed canvas canoe, ;it id
nearly the same other baggage as on the jour-
ney to Point Barrow last year, with the at 1-
dition of a tent for the nightly shelter of the wh of e
party on a coast almost destitute of fuel. Each me .n 's
101 l at starting weighed about half a cwt., and our da it y
progress averaged twenty geographical miles. Abo it t
the middle of the first day's journey we passed the fm -
thest point to which Sir John Franklin and his ollicot s
walked in 1821. Beyond that the coast presented itE;el f
N.N.E., trending to our encampment of the same night ,
situated on the pitch of a low cape, which I hay _I
famed Cape Franklin. From West to North East
a, new land, or crowded chain of islands of great els.
tent—in
many places high and covered with snow—
.etched along at the distance apparently of thirty
imn',...leas,,,and led to the apprehension that we were enter
toun, sound or inlet. The main land now turned
bear' • •E., which continued to be nearly its general
.
'ng for the three following days. It is flit in its
outline
sharp stone,path leading alternately over soft sand',
,
of from one to two
i
y hill
which send down toPatrhtetall
swampy ground. At the distamv
of low stop s miles the coast is skirted by a ran '',l
y clothed with dull verdur .e ,
sea
a numberless
turnberless brooks and sin al
streams : none of the latter hat season reached abi ,ve.
our waists, though the deep and
rugged channels of
many of them showed that in the spring h
powerful torrents. Two leagues inland,a thiel (whichlyn' ust be
. I
have named Mount George, after Gavernor Siin." o—, ns l
rises to the height of six hundred feet, and f
ortas il