The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-08 00:00:00

CAPTAIN M'CLURE'S PROCEEDINGS.

• The following is an abstract of the proceedings
of her Britannic Majesty's discovery-ship Investi-
gator, since parting company with the Herald upon
the 31st of July, 1850, off Cape Lisbourne :
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" Aug. s.—ln running along the pack edge, endeavour-
ingou to find an opening, exchanged numbers with the Plover,
and at 11 a.m. made a low shingle beach to the eastward
of Wainwright's Inlet, and at midnight rounded Point
Barrow in one-third fathoms, but, from the foggy state of
the weather, did not see it.
" Aug. 8.-1.45 a.m., being off Point Dew. Sent Mr.
Court, second-master, and Mr. Miertsching, interpreter, to
deposit a notice of our having passed, who met some
Esquimaux that had arrived three days previous. These
trade with the Russians, and were very friendly, therefore
sent a letter with the chance of it reaching the Admiralty.
We also heard from them that last year three boats had
passed to the eastward with white men and Indians, which
was most probably Lieutenant Pullen. In the evening
erected a cairn, and buried another notice at Point Pitt.
" Ang. 9.—Passed the Colville about 40 miles from its
entrance, in three fathoms and a half.
" Aug. 11.—Deposited a notice upon Jones's Island,
which was thickly strewed with driftwood. In the fore-
noon two baidars, containing 24 natives, came alongside.
The chief possessed a gun, with ' Barnet, 1840,' on the
lock, obtained from the iussians. Bartered tobacco for
salmon and ducks. In the afternoon communicated with
another party, who were exceedingly intelligent and clean.
Sent dispatches for the Admiralty via Colville, and, from
what the interpreter states, believe they will arrive.
" A ug. 12.—Several baidars came alongside. Reeeived
fish and ducks for presents of beads and tobacco. These
are adroit pilferers.
" Aug. 14.—Run upon a shoal 8 miles north of Yar-
borough Inlet, having during the last two days narrowly
escaped several of these dangerous banks, which are very
little above the water, and hidden from view by the ice.
Hove off with the stream anchor, but unfortunately upset
a whale boat and lost 11 casks of beef, having to carrysail
to prevent being set again on shore.
" Aug. 15.—Found it impossible to get two miles in any
direction, the ice having closed from the northward, rest-
ing upon the shoals in that direction, and to the south-
ward, the low banks which we grounded upon yesterday. li
Anchored to await some favourable change.
" Aug. 16.- - Ice to the northward of the shoals, slightly
eased, leaving about 150 yards of open water. Weighed
and warped through two cables length of ioe to get into it,
which occupied 6 hours of hard labour, so heavy was the
pack.
" Aug. 17.—At noon the weather, which had been foggy,
cleared with a breeze from N.E., made sail through heavy
sailing ice, occasionally striking violently; navigation along
this coast very dangerous, the sand-banks being low and
numerous. Lat. 70 30 N.,long. 148 4 W.
"Aug. 21.—Made the dly Islands, off the Mackenzie;
since the 17th have encountered very heavy ice ; ran 90
miles into a bight, which brought us to the solid pack;
fortunately, we were enabled to cut out of it before it
closed.
" Aug. 24.—Observing some huts a little to the west-
ward of Point Warren, sent dispatches for the Admiralty,
with the hopes of their being forwarded by the Hudson's
Bay Company ; this tribe however, have no traffic with
them ; but barter with others farther west that trade with
the Colville, giving as their reason that the Hudson's Bay
Company had given the Indians water which had killed
many of them, and they did not wish to have any ; they
appear savage and warlike, and are at enmity with their
neighbours. Brought the dispatches back.
" Aug. 30.—Observing a post erected on the beach near
Point Maitland, in Liverpool Bay, sent to examine it, and
deposit a notice of our passing. Found it was an Esqui-
maux mark, who apparently had recently quitted it, there
being several " caches" containing birds and fish.
" lu the afternoon while approaching Cape Bathurst,
observed Esquimaux on the shore. Upon communicating
with them found they belonged to a tribe now at Cape
Bathurst who were catching whales, and the same who
had seen Sir J. Richardson last year. In the evening,
being thick, and getting into 34 fathoms, anchored between
Baillies Islands and the main land.
" Aug. 31.—Proceeded to Cape Bathurst. Tribe con-
sisted of 300, very friendly, would go south in three
weeks ; gave them dispatezes for the Admiralty, a gun
and ammunition to the chie:, and many presents among
them ; and, judging from t aeir intelligence and cleanly ap-
pearance, have great expectation of their reaching.
Sept. I.—Off Cape Batburat, many natives came on
board, and being nearly calm, remained until the evening,
when, a breeze springing u j, we took our final leave of the
Esquimaux on the Amezican coast, fully convinced that
neither the ships nor any of the crew of Sir J. Franklin's
expedition have ever reached the." shores ; they appear a
quiet inoffensive people (with the exception of those at
Point Warren, which the Cape Bathurst tribe have no
dealings with), and would assist any white people thrown
among them.
" The whole of the coast is shallow, but with the lead
may be safely navigated, the soundings being very regular.
The shoals terminate about miles to the east of Yarbo-
rough Inlet, and water, varying in breadth from one mile
to 40, may be calculated -anon along shore, between the
beginning of August and 19th of September, according to
the winds, more or less ice encumbered, but the natives
state that every year the ice opens from the shores. We
' found the prevailing winds from E.S.E. to N.E.
• Sept. s.—At 11.30 a.m., being to the northward of Cape
Parry, remarked high land from N. by E. to E.N.E.
Sept. 7.—At 9.30 a.m. landed and took possession of the
discovery, and named it Baring Island. The land is bold
upon the southern side, being upwards of 1,000 feet in
height, its northern being Bank't Land ,• erected a signal-
, pole with black ball, left a notice in lat. 71 8 N., long.
' 122.48 W.
"Sept. 9.—Observed land N.N.E. Named it Prince
Albert's Land, which is continuous with Wollaston and

Victoria Land, and extends north to lat. 73 21 N., long
112 48 W.

" Sept. 11.—Ship beset, lat. 72 52, long. 117 3 W., bui
ice in motion.

" Oct. B.—Since the 11th of last month have been
drifting in the pack—narrowly escaped destruction several
times—until, with a heavy nip at 3 a.m. this day which
listed the ship 34 degrees, we were firmly fixed for the
space of nine months in lat. 72 47, long. 117 34.
" Oct. 10.—Took possession of Prince Albert's land,
distant four miles.

" Oct. 13.—And to-day of the Princess Royal Isles, lay-
ing in the centre of the Prince of Wales Strait, distant
four miles from the ship. There is erectcd a large cairn,
pole and ball upon its summit, in lat. 72 46 N., long.
117 44, 10 W., and have deposited three months provi-
sions for 66 men, besides leaving a boat and some am-
munition.

" Oct. 21.—The Captain, Mr. Court, and party, started
to trace the strait towards the north-east.
" Oct. 26. —Discovered the entrance into Barrow's
Strait in lat. 73 30 N., long. 11414 W., which establishes
the existence of a north-west passage.
"Oct. 30.—Five musk oxen shot upon Prince Albert's
land, which terminated our operations in 1850.
" April 18, 1851.—This day despatched three travelling
parties to search the coast line, under Lieutenant Haswell,
to the south east towards Wollaston Land ; Lieutenant
Cress well in the direction of Bank's Land, and Mr. Wyn-
niatt, mate, to the north east, who respectively reached
the position as noted below,* and traced the coast as per
accompanying chart.
"June 2.—Captain and Mr. Miertsching (the interpre-
ter) communicated with the Esquimaux upon Prince Al-
bert's Land about 60 miles south of our position, who had
previously been met by Lieutenant Haswell ; they traced
the coast line as marked in the chart, and state that there
are many of their tribes inhabiting the land towards the
south ; but that they know of none to the northward ;
they are a kind, simple people, and have never before seen
the white man, at whom they were evidently alarmed.

" July 14th.—Ice opened without any pressure, and the
vessel was again fairly afloat, but so surrounded with it,
that we only drifted with the pack, having been able to
use our sails but twicd. and then only for a few hours, up
to August the 14th, when we attained our furthest north-
ern position in Prince of Wales strait, lat. 73 14 19, long.
115 32 30 W.

" Aug. 16.—Finding our passage into Barrow's Strait
obstructed by north-east winds setting large masses of ice
to the southward, which had drifted the ship 15 miles in
that direction during the last 12 hours, bore up to the
southward of Baring Island.

" Aug. 20.—Lat 24 27 N., long. 122 32 15 W. Have
had clear water to reach thus far, running within a mile
of tho coast, the whole distance, when our progress was
impeded by the ice resting upon the shore. Secured to a
large grounded floe-piece in 12 fathoms. Ice appears to
have been but recently detached from this coast.

"Aug. 29.—Ship in great danger of being dashed or
driven on shore by the ice coming in with heavy pressure
from the Polar Sea, driving her along within 100 yards of
the land for half a mile, heeling her 15 degrees, and raising
her bodily one foot eight inches, when we again became
stationary and the ice quiet.
" Sept. 10.—Ice again in motion, and ship driven from
the land into the main pack, with heavy gale from S.W.
" Sept. 11.—Succeeded in getting clear of the pack, and
secured to a large ground floe. Lat. 74.29 N., long. 122.20
W.

"Sept. 19.—Clear water along shore to the eastward ;
cast off and worked in that direction, with occasional ob-
structions, and several narrow escapes from the stupendous
Polar ice, until the evening of the 23d, when we ran upon
a mud bank, having six feet water under the bow, and five
fathoms astern ; hove off without sustaining any damage.
" Sept. 24.—At daylight, observing Barrow's Straits full
Of ice, and large masses setting 'into this bay, determined
upon making this our winter quarters, and finding a well-
sheltered spot upon the south side of the shoal upon which
we last nightgrounded, ran in and anchored infourfathoms,
lat. 74.6 N., long. 117.54 W. This night we were frozen
in, and have not since moved. The position is most excel-
lent, being well protected from the heavy ice by the projec-
tion of the reef, which throws it clearof the ship 600 yards.
" The currents along the coasts of the Polar Sea appear
to be influenced in their direction more or less by the
winds; but certainly, upon the west side of Baring Island,
there is a permanent set to the eastward. At one time we
found it as much as two knots during a perfect calm ; and
that the flood tide sets from the westward we have ascer-
tained beyond a doubt, as the opportunities afforded dur-
ing our detention along the western shore of this island
gave ample proof.

" The-prevailing winds along the -American shore, and
in the Prince of Wales Strait, we found to be N.E., but
upon this coast S.S.W. to N.W.

" A ship stands no chance of getting to the westward by
entering the Polar Sea, the water along shore being very
narrow and wind contrary, and the pack impenetrable, but
through Prince of Wales Strait, and by keeping along
the American coast I conceive it practicable. Drift wood
is in great abundance upon the oast coast of ' Prince of
Wales Strait, and on the American shore, also, much
game.
" In this vicinity the hills abound in reindeer and hare,
which remain the entire winter ; we have been very for-
tunate in procuring upwards of 4,0001 b.
" The health of the crew has been, and still continues,
excellent, without any diminution of number, or have we
felt the slightest trace of scurvy.
" It is my intention, if possible, to return to England
this season, touching at Melville Island and Port Leopold,
but should we not be again heard of, in all probability we
shall have been carried into the Polar Pack, or to the
westward of Melville Island, in either of which to attempt
to send succour would only be to increase the evil, as any
ship that enters the Polar Pack must be inevitably
crushed ; therefore, a depot of provisions, or a ship at
winter harbour, is the best and only certainty for the
safety of the surviving crew.
" No traces whatever has been met with, or any informa-
tion obtained from the natives, which could by any possi-
bility lead to the supposition that Sir J. Franklin's expe-
dition, or any of his crews, have ever yet reached tho
shores we have visited or searched, or have we been more
fortunate with respect to the Enterprise, not having seen
her since parting company in the Straits of Magellan on
the 20th of April, 1850.

.
" This notice was deposited by a travelling party in
April, 1852, consisting of Captain M'Clure, Mr. Court,
second master; John Celder, captain of the forecastle;
Sergeant Woon, Royal Marines ; George Gibbs, A.B. ;
George Bounsal, A.B. John Davis, A.B. ; and Peter
Thompson, captain of the foretop.
"Whoever finds this, it is requested it may be forwarded
to the Secretary of the Admiralty.
" Dated on board her Britannic Majesty's Discovery-
ship Investigator, frozen in, in the Bay of Mercy, lat.
74.6 N., long. 117.64 W., April 12, 1852,
"ROBERT M'CLURE, Commander.
" Unless there is a vessel now at Melville Island, it is
not my infention to revisit it, but make the best of my
way down the straits.

" R. MTLIIRE."

The following is the official report relative to the Arctic
Expedition, as submitted to the Admiralty by Commander
Inglefield. The document will be read with great inte-
rest :

"Her Majesty's steam-ship Phoenix, off Thurso,
October 4.
" Sir,—l have the honour to report to you, for the in-
formation of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
my arrival from the Arctic regions, bringing with me the
important intelligence of the safety of the Investigator,
and the discovery of the North-WeA Passage, though,
unhappily, without finding the slightest traces of the mis-
sing expedition' either by this route or on the field of
search occupied by the squadron under Sir Edward Bei-
chefs command.

lane through, but were eventually obliged to bear up for
Dundas Harbour (in Croker Bay) there to await a change.
" In crossing towards this anchorage we were surprised
at beholding several tents pitched on a point six miles to
the westward of Cape Warrender, but shortly found them
to be the habitations of a party of Esquimaux, who had
come over from Pond's Bay. Among these people I foun,l
many preserved meat and potato tins, the former bearing
Mr. Goldner's name, candle boxes, some spars, and other
Government stores, which led me to fear that they had
visited the depot at Wollaston Island.
" 12. In Dundas Harbour we lay for eight days,
anxiously awaiting the breaking up of the ice ; and, on the
6th of August, hoping that I might be able to examine,
and, if necessary, remove the stores from Wollaston Island,
we got under weigh, and stretched across in that direction,
but heavy hummocky ice prevented our even sighting it,
and we were forced to bear up again for the north shore.
By this time a light north-westerly wind had eased off the
ice, and I determined to push on as far as practicable
under steam. The wind holding for 48 hours we were
fortunate enough to reach Beechy Island on the Bth of
August. In many cases the ice opened just as we reached
a block, which would otherwise have stopped our pro-
gress; and we were told by the officers of the North Sta.:
that no water was to be seen from Cape Riley the day be-
fore we arrived. Thus their Lordships will perceive that
no time was lost in reaching our destination.
" 13. Erebus and Terror Bay was full of heavy hum-
mocky ice, of great thickness, impervious to the saw or
the blasting cartridge, and too rough and too much inun-
dated with deep fresh water pools to admit the possibility
of landing the stores on Beechy Island, or putting them
on board the North Star (a mile and a half distant) accord-
ing to my orders.
"14. I had, therefore, no choice but to place them "i
what I deemed the most convenient and practicable posi-
tion, and, in my capacity as a senior 'officer at Beechy
Island, determined on Cape Riley as the fittest spot, and.
even more accessible than the island.
" Accordingly, on the following morning we commenced
our work, and having secured the transport in a bight of
the land-ice, immediately abreast of a steep cliff, the peo-
ple were now set to work, watch and watch, night an?.
day. To expedite the service, I ordered, all hands to be
sent from the North Star, with their hammocks, and de-
sired them to be victualled from our ship. The time was
thus saved which would have been lost by their going and
returning to their vessel, upwards of two and a-half miles
distant.

"The steamer lay with her fires banked up, and her
hawsers in, ready at a moment's warning, to take the
transport off-shore, in case of the ice closing ; and now,
everything being set forward systematically, and 130 tons
of coal landed in the first 30 hours, I determined to pro-
ceed myself up Wellington Channel by boat and sledge, in
in search of Captain Pullen, who had been absent from
the North Star a month ; and as his provisions must have
been expended, there was some apprehension as to his
safety.
" I had the double motive of desiring to convey to Sir
Edward Belcher his dispatches, as it would only be by such
means he could possibly learn of my arrival until next
season, unless he should return to Beechey Island.
" 16. I started in my whale-boat, with a month's pro-
visions, at 9 a.m. on the 10th of August, leaving written
orders with the First Lieutenant, a copy of which I en-
close, marked 'M. I,' in case of any unforeseen casualty
preventing my return to the ship by the time the transport
was cleared, to run no risk of the ships being caught for
the winter, but to proceed to England without _

" Wellington Channel was then full of ice, and go
rough, with large cracks and pools, that it defied sledgirg,
excepting with a strong party. Landing, therefore, on
Cornwallis Island, a little above Barlow Creek, we made an
attempt to carry a small punt over the ice ; but this
proved ineffectual, and I determined at last to proceed with
Mr. Alston, mate of the North Star, and two men, by
land, to Cape Rescue. Each carried a blanket bag, with
a fortnight's ,provisions, and reached, with much exer-
tion, the Cape at 5 p.m. on the 13th of August. A piece
of open water off Helen Haven prevented our proceeding
further, and here we learnt by the notice, of Capt. Pullen's
return to his ship, and his having communicated with S.
Edward Belcher.

" 18. Depositing in the cairn duplicates of their lord-
ships' dispatches for that officer, we commenced our re-
turn, and reached the tent on the fifth day of our absence,
foot sore arid much exhausted with this new mode of jour-
neying in the Arctic regions, having travelled 120 miles,
sleeping without shelter on the bare beach, at a tempera-
ture several degrees below freezing point was a trial for al I,
more especially as we could not eat the pemmican, and
subsisted wholly on biscuit and tea, with the exception d
a few dovekies which I shot.

" 19. Up till the 12th of August, Wellington Channel
was blocked with ice as far as the eye could reach. The
plan marked 0 1 shows its position at this date, and the
alteration I have made in the coast-line of the western
shore.
" 20. It is remarkable that wo traced and followed, for
many miles, the dog-sledge tracks of Mr. Penny, as fres:i
upon the sandy beach as though they had been made t'
day previous, and it must be remembered that these ae.
originally upon ice.
" 21. I returned to the ship on the afternoon of the
15th of August, and found that wind and changes in the
ice had obliged the first lieutenant to move the transport
away from Cape Riley, and that the process of unit ding
had been carried on but slowly by means of sledges ; 855
packages had, however, been transported to the ' North
Sea' by these means.

"22. On the 17th of August a heavy gale from the south
east set the ice on the Cape so suddenly, and with such
violence that both ships narrowly escaped being lost. The
Phoenix was severely nipped, the ice bearing down upon
her with such force that the six hawsers and two cables laid
out were snapped like packthread, and the ship forced
against the land ice, lifted her stern five feet, and causing
every timber to groan. The hands were turned up to 43
ready in case the ship should break up, 'though there
would have been small chance, in such: an event, of
saving a man, as the wind blew so violently, with snow,
that it was impossible to face it, and the ice in motit-i.
around the ship was boiling up in a manner that would
have defied getting a safe footing to the most active of
our crew.

" 23. The plan marked C 2, will show the manner in
which we were driven continually away from Cape Riley
by pressure from ice until the 20th of August, when the
Breadalbane was carried out among some floe pieces, rid
set into the Straits. I pushed out under steam into the
pack, and then only with considerable difficulty.
" Having once more got her along side the derrich we
commenced to clear with all hands, as I intended to finish
the work without cessation, if we laboured all night.
"24." While thus employed I received by au official
letter from Captain Pullen, a copy of which I enclose,
marked ' L I,' a report of the melancholy intelligence of
the death of M. Bellot, who had been sent by Captain
Pullen on his return during my absence, to acquaint me of
the same, and to carry on the original dispatches to Sir
Edward Belcher. This unfortunate occurrence took place
on the night of the gale, when M. Bellot, with two men,
were driven off from the shore on a floe ; and shortly after,
while reconnoitring from the top of a hammock, he was
blown off by a violent gust of wind into a deep crack in
the ice, and perished by drowning. The two men were
saved by a comparative miracle, and after driving abo zt
for 30 hours without food were enabled to land and rejoin
their fellow-travellers, who gave them provisions, and
then all returned to the ship, bringing back in safety the
dispatches ; but three of them fit subjects only for inva-
lidPF.

"2. I am the bearer of dispatches from that officer and
Captain Kellett and Lieutenant Cresswell, of the Investi-
gator, whom I appointed to the North Star as supernu-
merary to this ship, is charged with the letters and
journals of Commander M'Clure.
" 3. As his journal is of considerable length, I will en-
deavour to acquaint you with the substance of it, that
their Lordships may thus be early informed of the leading
features of the Investigator's discoveries; but ere I enter
into this matter, I deem it to be my duty to acquaint their
Lordships of the result of the expedition I have the honour
to command ; and, though I have carried out their Lord-
ship's instructions to the letter, and, I trust to their entire
satisfaction, it has not been without great difficulty, con-
siderable peril to the safety of this vessel, and the total
loss of the Breadalbane transport, without the loss of a
life.
"4. This unfortunate event, which occurred on the
morning of the 21st of August, of Beechey Island, no
human power could have averted ; and my own vessel,
which at that time had the. transport actually in tow,
barely escaped a similar fate, receiving a severe nip, which
rose the stern several feet, and arched the quarter-deck,
destroying the rudder and screw ; one of the beams for-
ward was sprung, and the porgy bow partially stove, break-
ing one of the riders, and forcing in the planking. This
latter damage, there is sotne doubt, may have been sus-
tained in a heavy gale on the morning of the 18th of
August, when the ship was Beverly nipped of Cape Riley.
The ice-master is of opinion it was received in Melville
Bay, while forcing a passage under full steam through
some heavy ice ; however this may be, I have little doubt
but that for the solid nature of the stowage of our hold,
and the strengthenings fitted in England, we must have
shared the same fate as the unfortunate Breadalbane.
" 5. By the Diligence, their Lordships will have been
informed of my proceedings up to the time of my arrival
at Disco: I will, therefore, now briefly state what we
have wince done, and then, in obedience to the fifth clause
of their Lordships' orders, relate what information I have
obtained with reference to the expedition, and the disco-
veries which have been made.
6. On leaving Disco I proceeded, with the Breadal-
bane in tow, to Upernavik, there to obtain dogs, and to
communicate with the inspector of North Greenland, con-
cerning the disposal of the Rose of Hull. On the after-
noon of the 14th of July we reached this place, and the
ships heading off, while I landed, in two hours we pro-
ceeded up the coast.
7'
v followingan tag
eof the day,
fine weather to obtain some
passing Cape Shakleton in a
calm,
looms from the Rookery for the use of the Arctic ships,
and in three hours we obtained a sufficient quantity to
' Iltohoek advantage
give each of our own vessels a day's fresh meat, reserving
enough to supply the North Star's crew with previsions
for 10 days, independent of the sheep we brought from
Ireland. _ _ -

" A separate letter will give their Lordships further in-
formation relative to the death of this excellent officer,
who was sincerely regretted by us all. His zeal, abiuty,
and quiet, unassuming manner, made him indeed beloved.
"Z. The ice closing again obliged us to quit Cape
Riley before midnight, and, in endeavouring to push the
ship into a bight in the land floe, the Phoenix touched the
ground, but came off again immediately, without damage.
The whole night was spent in struggling to get the ships
into a place of security, but the ice drove both vessels fast
to the westward, when at 3.30 a.m. of the 21st of Aupst,
the ice closing all round, both vessel's were secured to andoe
edge, but with steam ready to push through the inst.nt
the ice should loosen.

" 26. Shortly, however, a rapid run of the outer floe to
the westmard placed the Phoenix in the most perilous ps-
sition. I ordered the hands to be turned up, not thst
aught could be done, but to be ready, in case of the worst,
to provide for their safety. The ice, however, easing off,
having severely nipped thi vessel, passed astern to the
Breadalbaue, which ship either received the pressure leas
favourably, or was less equal to the emergency, for it
passed through her starboard bow, and in less tht, 1 15
minutes she sunk in 30 fathoms of water, giving.the T _3-
ple barely time to save nemselves, and leaving the wreck
of a boat only to mark the spot where the ice had closed
over her. Anticipating such a catastrophe, I got over the
stern of the Phoenix as soon as the Transport was struck,
and was beside her when she filled, and can unhesitatingly
state that no human power dould have sued her. Fortu-
nately nearly the whole of the Co'verninent stores had
been landed.

"Enclosed, a list marked 2' sets forth the quantity
and kind of stores that were landed at Cape Riley wad
Beechy Island, also what was lost in the transport.
"27. Having taken on board the shipwrecked crews,
every precaution was used with re3ard to the safety of her
Majesty's steam-vessel ; but it was not till the morning of
the 22d of August that we succeeded in getting her to
safe position in Erebus and Terror Bay, where the ship
was again secured to the land floe.

" 28. I now resolved to l;;; no time in getti In to
England, but that I might have the advantage of the
latest intelligence from the Arctic squadron, I determined
upon taking the opinion of the ice-master as to the latest
date ho considered I could safely remain at Beechy
Enclosed, marked L 3, is a copy of this report, and now I
must beg to refer their lordships to the general orders from
the senior officer, marked M 2, delivered to me by Cap :du'
Pullen on his return from Sir Edward Belcher, and, while
their lordships will readily understand how awkw. rd was
the position in which I thus became placed, it was
not without very serious deliberation, the written opinion
of Captain Pullen upon the subject, a copy of which I
enclose, marked L 4,' and the authority as granted to
the senior officer at Beechy Island by their lordships'
memorandum, May 11, 1853, that I replied to Sir Edward
Belcher's order by a letter, the cony of which marked
'L. 5,' I inclose, and which I acted on ; delaying to the
last moment (and two days after my ice-master advised our
departure), with the hope of Sir Edward Belcher's arrival.
" 29. Their Lordships will, I trust, bear me out in the
steps I have taken, and though I feel how serious is the
responsibility I have thus incurred, it has been done with
the single motive of the public good, and acting up to the
full spirit of my instructions.
" 30. On the 24th of August, I sailed fram Beechy Is-
land, but was shortly forced to take shelter in a little har-
bour we discovered, and wero obliged to run into a fog.
This harbour, eight miles east of Cape Fellfoot, a plan of
which I enclose, marked 4C 3,' and named Port Graham.
It is a well-sheltered position, with good anchorage and
fresh-water, many hares were seen, and nine shot.
" 31. Here we lay during a violent gale from the east-
ward, which was so furious in the guts, that though the
ship lay under the lee of a lofty hill, she drove with two
anchors ahead, until she brought up in 40 fathoms of
water.

" 8. On the 16th of July we entered Melville Bay, and
found it packed with ice, in some places very heavy, from
recent pressure, and the land floe unfortunately broken
away, thus depriving us of the advantage of its edge for
docking the vessels, in case of a threatened nip.
" 9. On the 11th of July, owing to damage sustained in
the ice, it became necessary to shift the screw, and this
was dor e while beset among heavy floes, almost out of
sight of land. From the masthead no land could be seen
at mid-day, nor, indeed, any water but the pool in which
the ships were afloat ; but at midnight we proceeded along
a narrow lane which opened away to the northward.
" 10. Thick fogs and southerly winds, which closed the
ice up, prevented our getting through Melville Bay till tho
26th of July, when we stretched away from Cape York for
Cape Warrender. Fog prevented our taking observations
while crossing over, and experiencing a strong southerly
set, we found, on the weather clearing, that the ship was
within two miles of Cape Liverpool, though we had
steered for Cape Warrender, with due allowance for
currents.
" Reaching over to the north shore (which we then kept
close on board), we steered up Lancaster Sound, passing
large floes which were driving to the eastward.
" 11. On the morning of the 29th of July we found a
barrier of ice stretching from shore to shore, and which
evidently had never broken away this season. We fol-
lowed its edge for several miles, in the hope of finding a

" The gale set vast bodies of ice up the Straits, until it
came to a dead stand, doubtless from it having been filled
up the whole Channel to Beechy Island, and most fortu-
nate was it that we got away when we did. For two days
not a spoonful of water corld be seen from the neighbour-
ing hill, and the temperature falling rapidly, with the
prospect of an early winter, I began to fear we had found
our winter quarters, indeed it was a matter dependent
entirely on the wind, whether we should get out this
Beason ; a watch was set to report the state of the
ice, the ice-masters and officers frequently visiting the
look-out hill. On the morning of the 31st of August the
ice commenced to move out of the harbour, and carrying
the ship with it we narrowly escaped being driven into the
Pack, which was only prevented by slipping the cable (with
a hawser attached), and forcing the vessel under steam
through a crack in the floe. The hawser was cut through
by the ice in endeavouring to weigh the anchor, which was
thus lost. I now deemed it advisable for the safety of the
vessel to proceed to the inner bight of the harbour, which,
lying behind a shallow spot, perleetly secured her from ie.(

* Lieutenant Haswell, lat. 70.38, long. 115; Lieutenant Creswell,
lat. 74.16, long. 117.40 W. ; Mr. Wynniatt, lat. 72.6 N., long. 117.42,
D. R.

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 8, 1853.

driven in or out ; and should we be unable to get away
this year, would prove a good position for winter quarters.
" I was ill prepared for such a contingency, as we had
not left on board sufficient provisions for our now much-
increased crew, having the people of the three other ves-
sels of my squadron with me, besides supernumeraries and
invalids.

"32. In the evening a small creek along the north shore
to the eastward was observed, and we immediately shipped
the anchor and steamed up, but it closed ere we could
reach it. We therefore returned for the night, but in the
morning I was glad to find it again opened, and we pro-
ceeded under full steam and sail, with a light northerly
wind, towards the eastward. Nothing but a powerful
steamer could have effected her escape at that period ; and
now, with one or two slight detentions for a couple of
hours, we made out of the Straits, passing Cape Warren-
der on the morning of the 2d of September ; and here I
beg you will call their lordships' attention to this position
as one well applicable for a dispatch rendezvous.
"33. During my stay at Port Dundas (which is imme-
diately under the cliffs forming Cape Warrender) I ordered
a large cairn to be built on a remarkably rocky peninsula
at its entrance. This cairn is upwards of 16 feet in height,
20 feet in circumference, and painted red with a white
cross ; its position is such that a vessel sighting Cape War-
render must perceive it, and as nearly all the whalers every
year sight this Cape, I conceive it to be an admirable po-
sition (should their lordships desire to send any dispatches
to Sir Edward Belcher next year by the whalers) for these
dispatches to be deposited.
" For sailing marks I have made sketches of the coast in
two positions; among the drawings are three views, marked
'D
unless directed otherwise by his senior,
.to have an officer
Belcher, 1
chearn, and 2and,'ldubpehijecavteeis of
t to
bweh iccahpn havepuliei
eftiewi s
itnht
eSnitri
oEn
and party ready to receive any communication next year,
pa onrdt utillnityr e.tusrnhottilo
dfoarwGarovdehinlins menttelvhesg
England, she would of couree carry the party on to Beechy
y s
et hi a
te
osame r op
pm-
Island. intelligence
beb

" With light winds we succeeded in getting out of Lan-
caster Sound on the 3d of September, the ice proving un-
favourable for examining the depot at Wollaston Island,
which I had intended doing.
" 34. We arrived at Lievely—Disco on the 9th of Sep-
tember, and immediately commenced coaling. The baro-
meter threatening a southerly gale, induced me to pass
through the Waigat to escape it, and in the darkness of
night, running under full sail and steam, we were nearly
going stem on to an iceberg 100 feet in height, to avoid
which we rounded to,, within half-pistol shot of a rock
awash at the entrance of the Moligate, and which, though
not laid down in the charts, we supposed the ship was well
clear of. A strong set through the channel to the north-
ward must have caused this deception.
" 35. While the coaling was being completed, I made
arrangements with the inspector of North Greenland con-
cerning the disposal of the hull and spars of the stranded
whaler Rose.

" For the more convenient disposal of her remains I blew
her up, and having landed, and placed under change of the
Governor the masts and spars, with a list of their prices
(a copy of which, marked `L 6,' I enclose), we took on
board for firewood such of the debris of the hull as would
otherwise have been appropriated by the Esquimaux,
leaving the romainder convenient firewood for vessels
touching there, to be obtained for 14s. a fathom, the price
to be received by the Governor, and remitted through the
Danish Government to the British Admiralty for the bene-
fit of the underwriters.

" Having completed these arrangements, coaled, watered,
and refitted, we were detained two days longer by a strong
north-east gale, but on the morning of the 17th of Septem-
ber proceeded to sea.
" 36. At Lievely I obtained information of a coal mine,
about 25 miles from the harbour, on the southern shore of
the island, and I am told that the coal to be obtained here
is in such quantities that a ship might take 1,000 tons.
For burning in stoves it is preferred by the Danes to
English coal. I obtained a sufficient quantity of an in-
ferior sort to make trial in our boilers. A copy of the
chief engineer's report I enclose, marked `l, 7,' and I
have retained on board four casks of this fuel for their
lordships' disposal.

" 37. On the 18th of September I put into Holstein-
burg to obtain sights, to complete our meridian distances,
and satisfy me as to the rates of our chronometers. In this
harbour (a complete survey of which was made by Mr.
Stanton, the master, during our first visit, and which is
marked C, 4), we found the Truelove, Ca?tain Parker,
which had put in the day previously with her bow
stove ; she had received this damage among the ice in the
gale of the previo-es Wednesday. I rendered her every
assistance, with a carpenter and stores, and towed him to
sea at daylight, ou the morning of the 20:1 of September,
c.4rrying him out to an offing of sixty miles. He reports
that all the whalers were caught among the ice• in that
gale. and he much feared that they had received some
damage, but, upon his acquainting me they were all in
such close company that the crews of any disabled vessels
won'd surely escape to the others, I did not deem it
necessary to delay my return to England by going over to
the fishing-ground.

" Sinee rounding Cape Farewell, a succession of strong
northerly and westerly winds have favoured our return,
and we sighted land on the 3d instant.

" 38. And now, sir, I beg to relate, in a summary man-
ner, the intelligence gleaned from the searching squadrons,
And first, with reference to Sir Edward Belcher, I have
little else to say but that he wintered in a spot he had
named Northumberland Sound, in lat. 76 52 N., and long.
97 W., near the position now marked in the charts of
Wellington Channel as Cape Sir John Franklin. From
Captain Pullen I learnt that not the slightest traces of the
missing expedition had been met with, either by this or
the, western branch of the searching squadron, and that it
was evidently the intention of Sir Edward Belcher to re-
turn to Beechy Island as soon as possible. For the rest,
Sir Edward's dispatches will convey all further informa-
tion.

" 39. Captain Kellett wintered at Dealy Island, Melville
Island ; ho had a narrow escape of losing his ship on the
night of his deparLure from Beechy Island; she grounded
off Cape Colburn, and was only got off after the ice had
set down upon her, casting her over on her broadside, and
with the loss o 60 feet of her fake keel.
"It was a party from his vessel that discovered the
dispatch of Captain M'Clure at Winter Harbour, and was
thus led to the Investigator's position, a brief account of
the voyages and discoveries of which vessel I will now re-
late'.

"40. Their lordships will remember that it was on the
6th of August, 1850, that the Investigator was last seen
running to the north-eastward with studding-sails set.
They rounded Point Barrow with much difficulty.
"At the river Colville, in 150 deg. W., they were de-
tained some days, and then thick weather, fogs, and con-
trary winds set in, the latter proving rather an advantage
to us, as it kept the ice open, and the necessity of working
to windward between the Polar Pack and the gradually
sloping shore gave them the means of avoiding dangers
On the 26th of August they reached the mouth of the
Mackenzie, the pack at this part being upwards of 90
miles distant. On the 20th they were off Cape Bathurst.
" When at Cape Parry open water to the northward in-
duced Captain M'Clure to push for Banks' Land, and
when about 60 miles from this cape, they fell in with an
unknown coast, which was named Baring Island. Passing
up a strait between this island and a coast that was called
Prince Albells Land, they reached the latitude of 73 deg.,
where ice impeded their further progress. The season sud-
denly changing, the ship was beset, and forced to winter
in the pack. Driting to the southward, they were ulti-
mately frozen up in lat. 72.40 N., long. 117.30 W.
"The travelling parties in the spring found no traces of
the missing expedition, but discovered and laid down much
of the adjacent coasts.
" On the 14th of July, 1851, the ice broke up, and free-
ing the ship, an endeas our was made to push to the north-
ward towards Melville Island, but an impenetrable pack,
in lat. 75.35 north, long. 115 west, precluded their com-
pleting what their autumn travelling parties had proved to
be the north-west passage. An attempt was now made to
round the southern shore of Baring Island, and proceed up
the west side, and with great peril to the vessel they suc-
ceeded in reaching as far as lat. 74.6, and long, 117.12,
where they wore frozen in on the 24th of September, 1851,
and have never since been able to move the ship. Their re-
cord was deposited at Winter Harbour the year following
11E
Commander 'Clintocles visit, while employed on Captain
Austen's expedition. _ _ _

" 41. There are two remarkable discoveries mentioned in
Captain M'Clure's journal, viz., some smoking hillocks and
a pretrified forest. He also states that during his inter-
course with the natives, he only once met with any hostile
demonstrations. This occurred at Point Warren, near the
Mackenzie, where, on attempting to land, two natives with
threatening gestrres waved them off. It was not without
much difficulty that they were pacified, and then they re-
lated that all their tribe but the chief and his sick son had
fled on seeing the ship, alleging as a reason that they feared
the ship had come to revenge the death of a white man they
had murdered some time ago. They (through the interpre-
ter) related that some while men had come there in a boat,
and that they built themselves a house and lived there.
At last the natives murdered one, and the others escaped
they know not where, but the murdered man was buried
iu a spot they pointed out. A thick fog coming on, pre-
vented Captain M'Clure from examining this locality,
which is much to be regretted, as hero is the probable posi-
tion a boat party, endeavouring to return by the Mackenzie,
would have encamped.
"42. I have now only to state further for their lordships'
information on this head, that Commander M'Clure had
made arrangements for deserting the ship, to have be en
c..rried out a few days later than the opportune arrival of
the officer from the Resolute, and that Captain Kellett sent
his surgeon to report upon the health of the crew. He
also desired that should there not be among them twenty
men who would volunteer to remain another winter, Cap-
tain M'Clure was to desert his vessel. The Intrepid was
expected to be at Beechy Island with the crew,kand Sir
Edward Belcher lad ordered the North Star to be prepared
on her arrival to proceed to England, sailing on the Ist of
September, and to leave the Intrepid at Boechey Island in
her stead. . _

I have now, in concluding the intelligence gained con-
cerning the Arctic Searching Squadrons, to acquaint their
lordships of the dangerous position in which the North
Stsr pawed the winter. Shortly after I left Beechy Island
last year, in my yacht, the Isabel, a violent gale which I
eaiountered in .the straits drove the North Star on shore,
where she remained during the whole winter, and was only
go', off this spring without much difficulty.
44. Herewith genclose a chart, showing the traces of
thi vessels of my squadron on their outward voyage, and
the vessel homeward; also, the several alterations and
additions made in the coast line at Greenland. This is
marked C 5 ; also, a chart on Mercator's plan, marked C
6, showing the north-west passage, with all the latest dis-
ccveries, and the coasts explored by each expedition up to
tlis date, in search for the missing squadron.
" From C 1 to C 6, are the surveys and plans made
daring the voyage, and alluded to in this dispatch. From
I 1 to L 7, are the copies of letters therein spoken of, and
enclosures M 3 to M 10, are copies of the memoran-
dums and orders issued by me, as senior officer at Beechy

"The drawings sketched from D 1 to D 24 are made,
exhibiting several positions of the ships during the voy-
ege, and headlines, coastlines, and views taken at different
times, also a drawing of the Investigator, wintering in the
pack, made from a sketch, and the description by Lieut.
Cresswell.
" In natural history we are able to add a large collection
of minerals to our museum, nearly 1,000 specimens of ores
and earthy substances have been obtained at different parts
of the coast of Greenland. Specimens also of the flower,
leaf, and root plants, of all the kinds we have made ac-
quaintance with, are carefully preserved and such crus-
taneous and other creatures from the animal kingdom, as
our limited moans have allowed us to collect, are prepared
for the naturalists.
"A careful meteorological journal has been kept, a tide
register at Holsteinberg, and a great many observations
made on the direction dip and force of the magnet. These
have been carried on by Mr. Stanton, and the late lamented
M. Bella, whose industry in this branch of science is
well proved by the mass of valuable matter he has left
behind.

" I have only now to beg their lordships will accept

inyassuranee of the perfect satisfaction I have received in the
conduce of ev,,,y .)'j:!cr and man in the expedition during a
period of incessant labour, continual hardship, and fre-
quently i inen t peril, each has done his duty with a
zeal and alacrity that I find it hard to individualise.

"On all occasions have received the most prompt co-
operation from my first lieutenant, Mr. Elliott, who, as
an old officer, I would beg to recommend to their lordships'
notice.

" Among our numbers six only of the officers and men
had been among the ice before, yet I invariably found them
as active in thir employment, while engaged with that
treacherous element, as the most experienced whalers, and
whatever the service, the danger, or the emergency, I had
only to order, and it was promptly executed. Without such
hearty co-operation on the part of both officers and men, I
must say I could scarcely have completed all that has been
done ; and I have only further to state for their lordships'
information, that to the officers this expedition has been a
very serious expense. Obliged to equip themselves and
store their mess for an Arctic winter, they have returned
to England after an absence of little more than four months
from the time they sailed from Cork, and thus their pay
cannot cover the expenses of such a costly outfit. It is
more particularly heavy to the juniors, whose expenses
were the same, while their pay is considerably less.
"My remark book contains much information I have
gathered during the voyage upon many subjects, and this
accompanies my charts and drawings.
" I beg you will assure their lordships of my anxiety to
learn of their approval of my proceedings, more especially
as I found it necessary upon so many occasions to take upon
myself a responsibility which nothing but the circumstances
in which I was placed could otherwise have justified. I
especially refer to the dispatch of the Diligence to Eng-
land, and the delicate task of disregarding the orders of
my senior officers.
" I omitted to mention that on our return south through
Baffin's Bay, we tried for soundings at a spot marked in
the Track Chart, with 2,870 fathoms, without getting
bottom. The line was upwards of three hours and a half
in running out, and the lead employed more than cwt.
" I have also to state, in conclusion, that I ordered Mr.
M'Cormick to join my ship for a passage to England, learn-
ing that he had finished the work that he was appointed
to the N orth St
orderedar to perform, and his desiring to leave the
ship. I also , ae per memorandums 3,4, 6,8, 9,
and 10, certain exchanges among officers and men belong-
ing to this ship and North Star.
" The pay-books of this ship are made
up, and are en-
closed with the dispatches.
" I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient
humble servant,

" E. A. INGLEFIELD, Commander."

" Admiralty-office, Oct. 7.

" Sir,—l have the honour to acquaint you for the infor-
mation of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, of
my arrival in London this morning, with Captain Ingle-
field, of her Majesty's ship Phcenix, having been charged
with Commander M'Clure's dispatches, by Captain Kel-
lett, of her Majesty's ship Resolute, which are herewith
transmitted, together with a copy of the orders I received
from Commandr M'Clure and Captain Kellett.
" I have the greatest satisfaction in reporting, that dur-
ing the prolonged service on which we were employed in
search of the crews of the missing ships, we have only lost
three men in the spring of the present year.
" I left the Investigator on the 15th of April last, in the
harbour of Mercy, latitude 74.6 N. longitude 117.45
W., and crossing the ice with sledges, reached the Reso-
lute, at Melville, on the 21st of May.
" Assisted by a party from the Resolute, I reached the
North Star, Beechey Island, on the 2d of June, with Lieu-
tenant Weymouth, whom it gives me great pleasure to
speak of in the highest terms.
" I have the honour to be, Sir,
" Your most obedient servant,
" A. G. CRESSWELL, Lieutenant,
"Her Majesty's Ship Investigator."
"By Robert M'Clure, Esq., Commander of her
Majesty's Discovery Ship Investigator, and
Senior Officer present.
" Considering it of the utmost importance that the crew
should be diN ided, as the only means of carrying the views
which I entertain into effect, viz., the probability of being
thereby able to extricate and carry home the ship, or fail-
ing in the accomplishment of such design, to be enabled to
meet the exigencies of another winter in any part of these
seas, without the risk of suffering from starvation, which
must inevitably follow with the whole complement ou
board ; I therefore deem no further preamble requisite,
but direct your attention to the following :
" Having most opportunely received intelligence con-
veyed under very severe and trying circumstances by Lieu-
tenant Pim from Captain Kellett, C. 8., of her Majesty's
Discovery ship Resolute, now most providentially winter-
ing at Dealy island, that has allayed the great apprehen-
tion, which I otherwise could not have divested myself of
feeling, for the safety of those engaged in the execution of
a service so hazardous. You will consequently, upon the
15th of the present month, or as soon after as the weather
will permit, proceed to the inland mentioned in the pre-
ceding paragraph, takinc, under your command such offi-
cers and men as are selected for detachment.
" Several will require great care and attention from the
debility occasioned by the epidemic that has throughout
the late very severe winter afflicted them, consequently
you will not allow the laudable anxiety which might urge
you to accomplish the journey by undue exertion to over-
come a proper consideration for their enfeebled state, so
as to tax their strength too severely.
" You will be provisioned for 24 days, which will admit
of your taking easy stages for Cape Providence and Point
Hearne, where you can comple:o your resources, if neces-
sary, and also remain to refresh your crew. Thence to
the Resolute is only 30
" On arriving at Dealy Island, and reporting yourself to
Capt. Kellett, C. 8., you will then, of course be under his
orders, which you will follow for your future guidance.
" Given under my hand, on board her Majesty's dis-
covery ship Investigator, Bay of Mercy, Baring's Island.
" ROBERT M'CLURE, Commander.
" To Lieutenant Cressweli, of her Majesty's Discovery-
ship Investigator, in charge of travelling party."

"By Henry Kellett, Esq., C.B. Captain of
Her Majesty's ship Resolute.
" It being of importance that an officer of her Majesty's
ship Investigator should reach England by the earliest
opportunity, and it being:possible that these ships may not
break out this season,

" You will take charge of Commander M'Clure's dis-
patches, delivering them to the commanding officer of
the North Star, who will cause copies to be made of them
for Sir Edward Belcher's information, and return you the
original, sealed, for conveyance to England.
" You will accompaiy Mr. Roche, mate, who has charge
of the party, with instructions to victual you and Mr.
Wynniatt, whose health is such as to require an imme-
diate return to England.
„ ...... _

" Given under my hand, on board of her Majesty's
ship Resolute, at Dealy Island, May 7, 1852,
" HENRY KELLETT, Captain.
" Lieutenant Cresswell, her Majesty's ship Investigator."

"Her Majesty's ship North Star, Beechy Island, 0ct.20.
" Sir,—lt is my melancholy duty to inform you that
two of my men who left this ship with Lieutenant Bellot,
have just returned with the sad intelligence of, I fear, his
being drowned. The particulars of an examination of the
two men I have intrusted to Lieutenant Cresswell, who
was present at the time. It is in a rough shape, but
being anxious that you should be made acquainted with
the sad event, I deemed it necessary to dispatch him im-
mediately.
" The dispatches are safe, the men having brought them
back. I have, therefore, to request your opinion, as to
whether, from the state of the ice in the Channel, which
Lieut. resswell will inform you of, it is advisable to dis-
patch another party or not, to endeavour to communicate
with Sir Edward Belcher.—l have, &c
" W. J. S. PULLEN, Commander..”

The following dispatch gives a description of the
intended progress of the expedition during the
present year
" Her Majesty's Discovery-ship, Investigator, Bay
of Mercy, Baring's Island, April 10, 1853.
" Sir,—ln the event of our not getting to England this
year, I think it necessary to acquaint you, for the infor-
mation of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty,
what our operations will be, to effect that object, in 1854,
that their Lordships may be enabled to take such co-
operative measures for oar relief as may appear expedient.
" Should the ice break up in this bay sufficiently early to
permit of our getting through the Straits this season, and
finding the water open to the eastward of Leopold Island,
it would be my object to push forward, without stopping to
take on board any
.provisions from Port Leopold ; but if,
contrariwise, the ice should be thick -towards Lancas-
ter Sound, I would, if possible, proceed to Port Leo-
pold, and complete a twelvemonth's provisions, and then
risk wintering in the, pack, or getting through', in prefer-
ence to remaining at the above port. If, however, we are
detained in this bay until next year, it will then be requi-
site to leave towards the end of April, and make for Port
Leopold, where I am aware that there is a good boat, a
house, and ample supplies ; and, when the navigation sea-
son opens, proceed to Pond's Bay, coasting along the
south shore of Barrow's Straits. Arriving at Pond's
Bay, and if finding from the Esquimaux that no whalers
had as yet been there, I should there await their appear-
ance as long as my provisions would admit, and then
go down the west shore off Baffin's Bay, keeping close
along the land floe, where whalers or their boats are almost
certain of being met with. Failing this, I should cross to
Disco, with the hope of getting a passage in some of the
Danish vessels which come there annually, and leave about
the beginning of September; or, being too late for them,
either charter or purchase one of their coasting schooners,
which I believe trade among the settlements, if she wan
capable of standing an Atlantic voyage. Could neither y
these be accomplished we must of necessity remain until
the following season at that settlement. Should any
Majesty's ships be sent for our relief, and
we
havee our route
Port Leopold, a notice containing information l
vir a er
quittedf he
will be left on the door of the house on Whaler's
Or on some conspicuous point ; if, however, on'sthPeocionnt-
trary, no intimation should be foundaowofsoomure having been
there, it may be at once surmised that some
carried into the
trophe has happened either fromre s beingciseeeasSe,traits, and no sur-
Polar Sea, or smashed in Bar
which, however, I
vivors left. If such should_ btehenl
be
quite unnecessary to
will not anticipate, it will
penetrate further westward for our relief, as by the period
that any vessel could reach that port, we must, from want
of provisions, all have perished.
hedd.irelentesductloi
raetcasuren,lawndould
submit by
that the officer y
no means incur the danger of losing other lives in quest of
those who will then be no more. As, however, it may occur
(as was the case with Sir John Ross) that the ice may not
break up in Prince Regent's Inlet during the whole summer
it is as well to provide against such a contingency. If such
should happen, it would be necessary to winter at Port
Leopold, unless apprised of the locality of any ship that
might be sent to our relief, Which I think might be accom-
plished without any very great difficulty, as, although such
vessel may not be enabled to get far up the straights, yet,
as Admiralty Inlet would be pretty certain of being clear
of ice, she might proceed thither, and in some secure bay
freeze in, and when the Straits are firmly frozen over about
the middle of October, a small travelling party could be dispatched with the intelligence, the whole would then
proceed to her, and although rather late in the season, men
working for their lives are not likely to be discouraged by a little cold.
" Whatever may be the final termination of this long,
tedious, but, I hope, not unimportant voyage, I hope, sir,
that you will assure their lordships that in every stage I
have been guided entirely by what I have considered to be
my duty in prosecuting to the utmost the object for which
the expedition was fitted out, and, although we have not
succeeded in obtaining any information which could throw
the slightest clue upon the fate of our missing countrymen,
I hope that the services performed in the tracing of a very
great extent of coast line, the discovery of much land—a
portion inhabited by a simple and primitive people not
hitherto known, and above all, the accurate knowledge of
that passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

which, for so many hundred years has baffled maritime
Europe—its very existence being almost considered scep-
tical—will, I trust, be considered events sufficiently inter-
esting and important to elicit from their lordships a favour.
able consideration of our services.
" I have the honour to be, Sir,
" Your most obedient humble servant,
" ROBERT M'CLURE, Commander."

SPORTING NOTES.

THE CESAREWITCH STAKES.

Speculation on the coming encounter at Newmarket
is somewhat inactive. Its range is limited, and its
tendency imperfectly determined. King Pepin is still
the leading favourite in the betting, and all attempts to
drive him from his position are seemingly inoperative.
His party daily increase in numbers and strengthpn in
confidence, and he encounters no well-organised oppo-
sition. Indeed many persons, and shrewd and expe-
rienced turfites too, taking into consideration the
" power of money," apparently regard his victory as a
foregone conclusion. King Pepin has been so highly
and satisfactorily tried, that the party immediately con-
nected with him unhesitatingly express their deliberate
opinion that an accident can only prevent his success.
Still King Pepin's pretensions to the position which
he osoupies in betting, are not well founded, and
despite his great and growing popularity they
appear when impartially examined of the slenderest
description. His public performances are undeniably
bad ; his greatest achievements have been the
barren honours of second place to animals of mode-
rate stamp. The betting frequently affords but a de-
ceptive indication of a horse's merit, and the support
which King Pepin has received in the turf market may
furnish another instance of its misguiding tendency. In
Songstress, King Pepin will meet a formidable antago-
nist. Songstress Is a "public performer " whose racing
reputation has been fairly established. She possesses
ability of no ordinary stamp, and if her condition be as
satisfactory as report affirms, she will be one of the fore-
most competitors in the race. Experience teaches us
that when in earnest her trainer seldom makes a mistake,
and I am informed that he has calculated with much
confidence on the mare's success. On Thursday a
powerful demonstration was made in favour of Angelo,
who was suddenly advanced to a prominent position in the
list of quotations. The spirit with which he was
sup-
ported unmistakeably indicated the confidence which
his party placed in the ultimate profit of their invest-
ments. Angelo is trained by John Osborne, and is said
to be the property of Captain Scott. His owner backed
him heavily, and his good fortune is proverbial. Angelo
is lightly handicapped ; a circumstance alone sufficient
to render his chance formidable. Still his public run-
ning is scarcely calculated to excite sanguine expecta-
tions of his success. Of the light weights, lam inclined
to deem Haco the best, as I am credibly informed that his
performances at Doncaster and Bedford afforded no
criterion as to his racing ability. Of the lot comprised
between the top weight and Bst, I have a decided par-
tiality for Nabob and King of Trumps. Nabob has re-
cently been backed by many good men and true, and
his running is at least respectable. Torment's weight
will effectually destroy her chance, although she still
numbers many partisans. Of Joe Miller I have no
expectations, and Old Garforth possesses no attractions
for me. The Indian Warrior is likely to be the cham-
pion of his stable, and, if report be true, he will
be a formidable representative of its interests. Neas-
ham belongs to the same stable, and is by a few persons s
deemed a dangerous outsider. Lord Exeter's "lot" is
entitled to the precedence over that of Mr. Clark. From
each I shall select Nutshell and Mr. Sykes. Nancy was
declared not to start yesterday afternoon at three o'clock.
For the present, therefore, her party have played out
their game.

To Indicate the winner of so important a race as the
Cesarewitch is a task of no little difficulty. Every horse
is supposed to have a chance, and many undoubtedly
have, and very formidable ones too. The animals whose
pretensions appear to be unquestionably sound are
Nabob, King of Trumps, Songstress, Indian Warrior,
Mr. Sykes, Nutpecker, Nutshell, Haco, and Angelo.
The three animals likely to be placed by the judge are,
in my opinion, Songstress, Nabob, and Mr. Sykes.
This afternoon I start for Newmarket, and should I
gather any information worth communicating, it shall
be made public in The Sun on Monday.
Oct. S. A FRESH MAN.