The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-19 00:00:00

and 10 ammunition waggons and other carriages. Another
field battery of the same strength is to occupy the barracks
at Norwich.
ESCAPE OF DESERTERS.-011 Itionday morning four pri-
vates of the Royal Artillery made their escape from the
lock-up at Ballincollig.
ROYAL MARINES. —Captain Huskinson, Second Lieute-
-1 nant Barnes, two serjeants, two corporals, one drummer,
and 63 privates, of the Chatham division, have embarked
on board the Nankin. Brevet Major F. Campbell, of the
same division, has jOined the Hannibal, vice Varlo, sent
to sick quarters. A subaltern of the artillery companies
of the corps has been ordered to embark in the Dauntless
to relieve First Lieutenant Knight, recently tried by a
court-martial, and who has been ordered to rejoin his own
dlvision at Chatham.

THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

COURT-MARTIAL ON SIR EDWARD BELCIIER.
SHEERNESS, Wednesday Night.—The court-martial re
assembled this mornin g on board the Waterloo, flag ship
of Admiral the lion. W. Gordon, at Shot:moss, to proceed
with the trial of Captain Sir E. Belcher, commander of
the late Arctic squadron, for the less of her Majesty's ship
Assistance, and also for having recommended the abandon-
ment of her Majesty's ships Investigator, Resolute, and
Pioneer. Admiral Gordon presided, and the other mem-
bers of the court were the same as on the previous day.
The court was much crowded by officers throughout the
day, and .the greatest attention was paid to the proceedings.
Sir Edward Belcher appeared as a prisoner, guarded by
the master at arms, but was allowed to be seated during
the day.
The following evidence was then taken :--
Commander Richards, sworn.
The Deputy Judge Advocate—Do you command her Ma-
jesty's ship Assistance ?—I do, and did so in August last.
Was Sir tdward Belcher the captain of that ship • I—He
was s ) in the month of August last. g
State to the court the circumstances connected with the
abandonment-of her Majesty's ships Assistance and Pioneer.
—The Assistance broke out of her winter quarters in Dis-
aster Bay, Sir Edward Belcher having left for Beechey
Island. The Assistance was at Cape Osborne on the 25th
of August. We got about half a mile further by blasting
of gunpowder,-and she was then docked in the floe. The
Assistance sailed and steamed down, towed by the Pioneer.
There was no chance of moving her after that, and I in-
formed Sir Edward Belcher of it by letter. On the 10th of
August Sir Edward Belcher returned with some officers of
the Resolute and Investigator. On the 24th I gave orders
for preparing the ship for withdrawing from the ice. On
the merning of the 25th we left.
From the position the ships were in, was there any
chance of getting through the ice that summer?—The
ehances were very small.
Was there any water seen beyond the ice ?—No.
Did you express any opinion to Sir Edward Belcher on
receiving the order to abandon the ship ?—I had a conver-
sation the evenin., before, and expressed my opinon that
heavy gales could release the ships.
Did you give any opinion on the propriety of the aban-
donment of the ships ?—No.
Or make any observation ?—I knew it was Sir E. Bel-
cher's intention, if the ships did not break out, or he re-
ceived intelligence from England, to abandon them.
How long-had you been in the ice?—Since August, 1852,
except the time occupied in navigating the Wellington
Channel.
The President —You navigated the Wellington Channel
from 1852, did you remain stationary all that time ?—No,
we remained stationary from August. 1852, till July,
185:3. We were frozen in again about Sept. 1, 1853. We
were blown out of winter quarters by a heavy gale in 1853,
and we regained it on the 13th or 14th. We were then
frozen in again until Aug. 6, 1854.
Then there was no possibility of moving her from
August, 1852, to July, 1853 ?—Not in the least.
Do you know what distance you had to go from winter
quarters to open water ?—The distance was from 20 to 30
miles the day we left the ship.
Were any efforts made to extricate her from the ice ?
Yes ; by blasting.
half
Haamile—d that
but any e
weffect
could get 7—lt got
herb
no further a certain distance—
Sir T. Pasley—What was the date of your entering
Wellington Channel 7 In August, 1852.
What was the state of Wellington Channel 7—lt was
then almost clear of ice.
How far did you go up Wellington Channel before you
wire stopped by the ive that year ?—To Northumberland
Sound, at the head of it.
Was that in the Assistance 7—ln the Assistance and
Pioneer.
Were those your winter quarters that year 7—They
were.
In returning next year, was the state of the ice very
different ? Yes. There was scarcely any water to be seen.
Was the state of the ice in 1854 such as to render it im-
racticable and hopeless in getting through Wellington
Channel to the southward ?—ln 154 it was as bad as 1853.
Captain Wyvill—What condition was the ship in when
you left her on the 25th of Angust 7—She was ready for
sea, but not very tight.
Had she received any injury from the ice ?—She had
received some pressure, and had been forced on shore by
the ice. She made more water than she did the first year.
Had the Pioneer received any injury or accident?—She
was cast on shore in 1853.
Did you consider a serious damage arose from that?

—No.
the intention captainha have
to st ot
abandone d that
the
eu
ships knew
fi t
they was
anpotti ibnr
eak Tacker—Youoofu tthb
August. eyacertain day. Can you state what
h the ice
You have stated that you got half a mile through
9 'about
day ?—Witness—lt was between the 20th and 25th of
in 1854 by blasting ; how long were you doing it .
16 hours, but we were favoured by circumstances, as the
ice was detached about half a mile from the shore,
the
current helping us to clear the ice. About 7or 8 cwt.
of powder were used.
say the greater part of them were suffering from the effects
What was the state of the ship's company
of the two preceding winters ?
Captain Stewart—Had you provisions
for another year
if you had remained ?—We had for more than another
year, with the exception of preserved meat, of which we
had none. ?—I should
t
What intelligence had been received of Cap. Collinsen's
movements at the time 3on left ?—That a notice had been
found at Princess Royal Island, stating that he had gone
southward.
Then, if he had continued in that course might he have
reached you ?—Very possibly.
Captain Fanshawe—You have stated that there was
little chance of getting through the ice that summer; Yon
had 12 months' provisions on board, and the damage was
not serious. Do you consider it would have been consis-
tent with security to have remained another winter, con-
sidering the state the ship was in ?—I consider she was in
a very insecure position, and I think remaining another
winter would have proved fatal to a great number of the
crew. The chances of securing a place for the next winter
would have been very small, or of getting to Boechey
Island.
Do you allude to the health of the crew when you say it
would have been fatal ?—Yes.
If you had cut into a place of safety for the winter,
would the ship have been in the ensuing summer in a
worse place for abandoning her if you had desired to aban-
don her ?—Certainly not.
Was there anything to prevent you from receiving i-
n.
telligence from Captain Collinson, or the raining p
edi
tions ?—No.
Sir Edward Belcher—l think you have seen the effect of
the gales at the place where you loft the ship. I mean such
a gale as blew on the sth of August, 1853. Do you think
the Assistance in a similar gale, with such masses as we
found when the Halkett's boat was discovered, could have
lived in that position ?—lf the Assistance bad got among
ex
such masses of ice it would, probably, have been destroyed. Was it near the place where M. Ballot perished from the
wahtewas
n lastthle egftreianteAst ugtuhsitck?
sudden disruption of the ice ? It was about four miles
from where we left the ship.
Wh
You have stated 20 or 30 miles to be the probable dis-
tance of open water from the ship, was the distance be-
tween our first anchorage and Beechey Island 52 miles dif-
ference in latitude ?—lt was. --"Aboofutic4eB near the
the
Do you consider the last position in your own chart to
Assist-
ance
be a difference of 42 miles in latitude from Beecheylsland ?
—Yes.
Are you aware that the ice on the 26th of August, IW,
was computed to be 36 miles north of Beechey
which would give 36 miles from the ship to the water ?—I
took it to be 15 miles from the floe.
Was it not considered that the 26th of August was the
latest date at which it would be safe to remain at Beechey
Island, and was the Phcenix hard pressed to escape at that
date it 1852 ?—I believe she was.
Do you not know that I was commanded toreturn when-
ever my provisions should be reduced to twelve months ?
The question was requested to be postponed.
With respect to Captain Collinson, do you know whether
Peel's Channel is navigable ?—I do not.
What reason have you for supposing that Captain Col-
linson would desert his ship, and come up that channel ?
I think it probable he would have sent some of his crew
that way. If he had found another ship, he would not
have come to Beechey
Was not the depot at Beechey Island 7—The North Star
was there, and also a house.
By cutting or docking in, I suppose, you allude to tem-
porary security, and not from the ice breaking up ?—To
have remained would have been possible with much labour
to cut into a place fer security.
Even if such a gale as Aug. 18, or Oct. 11, 1853, de-
stroyed all the ice on that shore ?—lt might have been
blown out, as every ship might be, unless land-locked.
Can you point out any land-lock position near the ship ?
—There is no place not open to the width of the strait.
Did we not consider the ships safe and firmly froze in,
and no signs of open water on the 10th of October, 1853,
when the ships were blown out ?—The ships were ix% very
exposed position, but I do not think any one fancied they
would be blown out.
Were they housed over for the winter ? They were per-
fectly prepared.
What reason have you to suppose that Capt. Collinson,
having more provisions than the Investigator on board,
would desert his ship, and seek for provisions at Beechey
Island ?—I think most likely that he deserted his ship in
1854, and he might have done so.
Has an unreserved communication taken place every day
on the affairs of the expedition?—Yes, there was neces-
sarily every day a conversation about travelling.
Was it in consequence of such discussion that I changed
my orders, and sent you to Captain Kellett ?—lt was. I
considered that it was my privilege, in consequence of
being senior commander, to have the command of the ex-
pedition to the west, and I told Sir Edward Belcher so.
Mr. John F. Loney, master of the Assistance, was
sworn.
The Deputy Judge-Advocate—Are you master of the
Assistance 7—l am.
Is the log of that ship now produced kept by you?—lt
is, and the greater part of it is in my handwriting.
Is it correct in every particular ?—As far as I know.
If it wore incorrect, must it have come to your know-
ledge ?—I think it must.
Were you on board the Assistance just before the time
she was abandoned 7-1 was.
state to the Court ti-z, circumstances of her abaudon-

went.—Sir Edward Belcher arrived on the 23d of August,
accompanied by several officers of the North Star and
Resolute. On the following morning orders ,were given for
her abandonment. The hatches were battened down,
anchors were made fast, and the ship prepared for leaving.
At four o'clock the next morning the ship was abandoned.
The ship was then lying in lat. 75 23 and long. 92 30. The
ship was then in a very unsafe position, being about half a
mile from shore.
How far was she from open water ?—She might have been
20 or 23 miles.
In what state was the ship and her tender ?—ln every
respect fit for sea.
Was she at all damaged, or he/ tender damaged ?—They
were both slightly damaged from getting on shore.
How long had you been in Wellington Channel ?—Since
August, 1852
Was there, in your opinion, any probability of her
getting out of the ice that summer?—There was a possi-
bility, not a probability.
Would it have been safe to have remained in or neer the
place whore the ship was during the winter months ?
Certainly.
And in that case could you have left in the ensuing sum-
mer ?—Certainly.
The President.—How lcng was the ship in the position
you mention, half a mile from the shore ?—Witnees —About
15 days.
What was her position before ?—About half a mile to
the westward.
Had you been driven that half mile from the weather ?
—No. Daring the time we were in that position the ice
opened from the shore, and, by blasting, we succeeded in
getting down half a mile. The distance blasted, however,
was not more than 400 yards.
What amount of provisions had you on board ?—About
one year's supply of the principal articles.
Captain Pasley—Was the ship on her way down Wel-
lington Channel when she was beset ?—She was.
Was the ice thick ?—About 11 feet thick,
Had you any previous experience of the ice in Welling-
ton Channel ?—Not before the expedition of 1852.
When you went up Wellington Channel was it clear of
ice ?—Yes.
Did it appear to you probable from the lateness of the
season that the ship would be able to make a passage to
Beechey Island in the state of the ice ?—My opinion is
she could not, but it is impossible to say.
Captain Fanshawe—You say the ship was in an unsafe
position. Was it temporary ?—I mean that it was tempo-
rary from the heavy nature of the ice, being close to the
shore, and if the ice had suddenly broken up she might
have been forced on shore.
Sir Edward Belcher—ln what soundings was the ship
in her westerly position, half a mile from where I found
her ?—The ship in her first position was 31 fathoms, and in
her second it gradually decreased towards the shore. In
she
ono spot we had as little as four fathoms, and in her last
position
in
secure
ur
ein
fathoms.
e
your u r first
T h l ead
position,w le g owi hags the
e
whole time.
Before
you
u was
were
in 73 fathoms by the log ?—I think it probable she may
have been.
Have you any reason to know an official report to that
effect was made to me in writing ?—I find 58 fathoms
from the log, and it is quite possible it might have been
more.
Was it not possible that another half-mile would have
placed the ship high and dry from the steep nature of the
beach?—l think half-a-mile would have placed her ashore.
Are you aware, from the report of the officers who
found the bay open in October, 1853, near the spot where
Lieut. Bellot perished, they considered that it would not be
a safe place •to take the Assistance to when the gale of
October, 1853, left me that option ?—I believe Commander
Pullen told me so.
How long have you served with me ?—Seven years.
Have my conversations with you in the service con-
nected with the proceedings been open and unreserved ?
During my service with you in the Semarang. you were
in the habit of conversing with me ; but during my service
in the Arctic regions you did not do so, which I attribute
to my not having had any previous experience in the ice.
During our sledge journeys were you my companion for
52 days in tent, and wore not these matters unreservedly
and privately canvassed ?—They were.
Mr. David Lyall, surgeon, sworn.
The Deputy Judge Advocate—Were you surgeon of the
Assistance in August last ?—I was borne on her books,
but was not acting as surgeon.
When did you leave the Assistance ?—ln May, 1854.
Whore did you go for then ?—The North. Star.
With Sir E. Belcher ?—No.
Did you, previous to leaving in May, make any survey
of the crew ?—I (lid.
Can you state the result of the survey, and when it was
made?—lt was made a few days before I left, and from
what I saw I considered the lives of several and health of
many of the ship's company would have been endangered
by another winter in the ice, in the circumstances in which
the Pioneer and Assistance were placed.
Did you so report to Sir Edward Belcher ?—I did.
The President—Had you any previous experience in the
Arctic seas ?—I had previous experience in the ice, having
been with Sir Jas. Ross in his Antarctic voyages as assist-
ant surgeon.
Were the crew generally healthy during the time they
were on board the Assistance ?—Until the last winter they

were.
Sir T. Pasley—Had any game or animals been preserved
during the winter quarters of 1852, 1853, and 1854 ?—ln
the autumn of I.izs'6 some walrus were killed, and during
that winter several bears were also killed. No game of
any kind was obtained. That was all that was killed in
the winters of 1352 and 1853. No bears or walrus were
killed in 1854. There was no fresh meat of any kind dur-
ing the two last winters, and very few of the men would
eat either walrus or bears.
Was any gamey seen in the neighbourhood of Cape Os-
borne or Beechey Island?-one deer was seen near Cape
Osborne ; a few hares and some ptarmigan were also seen,
but none shot.
Captain Wyvill You say the ships' crews were in
danger from the position in which the Pioneer and Assist-
ance were placed. Do you mean from the exertion they
would have to make or the food they would have to live
upon ?—From both.
Captain Stewart—Did you see any natives ?—We saw
none after leaving Uppernavik, in Greenland.
Sir E. Belcher—Before the arrival of the Phoenix, on
Aug. '24, 1854, were you aware that no preserved meats
could be spared from the depot placed for Captain Collin-
son's support at Beechey Island, and wore the crew of the
Assistance endangered by the total absence of preserved
meats, should she be compelled to winter ?—I understood
none could be spared from the depot. The want of pre-
served meats would have had a serious and prejudicial ef-
fect on the health of the craw.
Independent of the health and comfort of the crew, are
you not personally aware that the officers had no remain-
ing stock to render their winter comfortable ?—I am.
Sir T. Pasley.—Hove many men could have been found
sufficiently healthy to have stayed in the ship if she had re-
mained another winter?—Out of the two ships' companies
of the PiOneer and Assistance not more than 45 or 50.
If there was a sufficient crew to remain, was there a suf-
ficient number of officers to command them, or winter with
them ?---I think neither Sir E. Belcher nor Commander
Richards could have remained with safety another winter.
Was your own health or that of the master sufficient to
warrant Sir E. Belcher in leaving you behind with a total
want of comforts ?—I consider our health would have suf-
fered, but I should have had no fear for our lives.
Mr. John Rickards, acting surgeon of the North Star,
Sworn.
The Deputy Judge-Advocate.—Are you acting surgeon
of the North Star ?—I am.
Were you lent to do duty on board the Assistance, in the
spring of this year ?—Yes.
When did you join ?—ln May, and I continued till she
was abandoned.
During that time did you make any survey of the men
on board?—Tea; an inspection and survey took place every
fortnight, and a report of it was given to Sir E. Belcher.
What was the general state of the health of the ship's
company ?—lt was such that 20 or 30 of them were sent to
Beechey Island, to insure thee, passage to England this
autumn, should any vessel arrive.
Can you state how many officers were fit to remain
another winter under the circumstances in which the As-
sistance and Pioneer were placed ? All except Sir Edward
Belcher, Commander Richards, Mr. Lewis, clerk in charge,
and Mr. Harwood, officer of the Pioneer.
How many of the crew were fit to remain another win-
tershould say,
win the Assistance, not than ten
or twelve. There ere other men who weremore obtained from
the North Star.
Who was left to navigate the North Star ?—The ships'
companies of the Investigator, Intrepid, and Resolute.
We sent the men to Beechey Island.
The President—How many men did you get from the
North Star ?—I cannot recollect exactly, but I think 14
or 15.
Those you considered fit to remain another winter?—
Yes.
Have you had any previous experience of the Arctic
Seas ?—None.
Sir E. Belcher—Of the increased crew sent from the
North Star, are you aware that the total number assem-
bled to extricate her Majesty's ship Assistance ware lent,
and only amounted to 106 men, and of this number that
not more than three were of the new men exchanged from
her Majesty's ship Phoenix in 1853?—There was such a
succession of arrivals and departures during the spring
and summer that I cannot positively recollect the exact
number.
Were not the North Star men exchanged down to three?
—I cannot say.
Were not their names Warne, Glass, and Hall ?—They
were of the North Star. I was under the impression there
were more men from time to time.
Mr. James Lewis, clerk in charge of the Assistance, was
sworn.
The Deputy Judge-Advocate—Were you clerk in charge
of the Assistance in August last ?—Witness, I was.
Were you with her when she was abandoned ?—Yes.
What was the state of the provisions ?—They were in a
good state of preservation generally.
How many months' provisions ? There was a survey in
July, when the remains were found to be equal on the
scale of victualling then in force to about one year of the
full complement.
What was the scale of victualling then in force?—lt was
a special scale, established by Sir E. Belcher on the Bth
December, 1853.
What do you mean by a special scale—was it a reduced
scale?—lt was established upon the recommendation of
the surgeon and the assistant-surgeon.
Was it a scale in reference to the health of the men or
the reduced state of the provisions ?—lt was in respect to
the health of the men and also the state of the provi-
sion%
Had you a year's provisions ?—Yes ; but no preserved
meat. We had sufficient salt meat to serve fur one year.
The President—Was the established scale for provision
generally more or less than the ordinary allowance—I
think it was less.
How much less?—About ilb. of moat per day loss, and
qlb. of flour less on the days for the issue of flour, suet,
currants, and salt beef.
How long had that been established ?—For the whole
commission after December, 1853.
Before that wore they on full allow ance ?—No, on the
reduced allowance from May, 1852. On that (lay they
commenced a special scale of victualling established by Sir
Edward Belcher that had reference to
squadron was provided.
That continued to the final departure from the ship. On

the 15th of December the quantity of meat was reduced,
but it was afterwards increased. on the recommendation of
the medical officers. •
Was any flour served on salt-meat days ?—None. Two
days a week llb of biscuit was substitutedior llb of flour.
The biscuit was issued on salt-beef days. There are two
sorts of flour in the Arctic service—one for biscuit, and
one for puddings, and the proportions supplied of biscuit
and flour admitted of flour being issued on five days. and
biscuit two days a week, at tho rate of llb per man per
day,
Captain Tucker—Can you give the total victualled in
August, 1851.—Generally about 100. It varied with the
arrival and departure of sledges. It was continually
varied.
Sir E. Belcher—ls the scale adopted by Capt. Auf,tin as
nearly as possible that adopted by myself throughout the
Arctic squadron, and recommended by Mr. Broornan to
the Arctic committee, not sufficient ? And are the extra
comforts not enumerated in the list at the discretion of the
captain to vary the samo ?—The quantity of preserved
meats was less than in the expedition of ISSI and 1552,
but soups and vegetables were issued in addition.
Do you consider that I consulted the comforts of my
crew, and did I frequently consult you how I could do so
without detriment to the public service?
What clathiug remained for another winter, or to clothe
any new men sent ?—There was no clothing, with. the ex-
ception of one suit that remained, that was intended for a
ma-1 who died.
Was there any Arctic clothing similar to that gratui-
tously supplied by Government—skin-dresses, fishing-
boots, and other articles of clothing?—There were four or
five pair of boots, and a -very small quantity of other
articles-
The •
The President—What quantity of fuel remained in the
ship ?—As near as I can judge, and it could be ascertained
for the time, there were coals ia the Assistance for two or
three months of the winter consumption.
Were there any means of getting an additional supply ?
—There were some in the tender, and I had heard that
there were some at Cape Riley, near Beechey lirland, de-
posited there by the Phoenix, in 1853.
Is not Cape Riley beyond Beechey Island ?—About three
miles to the eastward.
Did youiever meet with any driftwood in that part ?
During the present expedition I have not seen driftwood
enough, with the exception of a small stump of -a tree
about three feet long, to light a large fire.
The cqurt was cleared for a short time. On our re-ad-
mission,
Commander Sherrard Osborne; commander of the As-
sistance tender, sworn.
The Deputy Judge-Advocate.—Were you borne on the
at t
books of the Assistance, and for whime?—l was
f com-
rom !
February-, 1852, to the date of my commission as
wander on the 13th of October, 1852, and subsequently to
that period as commander up to the 30th of May, 1854.
State the position of the ship when you left her on the
30th of May.—She was about five miles NNW from the
pitch of Cape Osborne, to the best of my belief.
What was the state of the ice?—l can only answer for
the Pisani.. She was pressed on shore in the autumn of
1853, but received no damage, and was in as safe a condi-
tion as the ordinary casualties of Arctic seas will allow.
What was the state of the ice ?—I left on the 20th June,
and the ships were then frozen in.
Have you been before in the Arctic service?—Yes,

twice.
How long had the vessels been in the ice ?—They had
been in that position from the 15th October, 1853.
Was there an unusual quantity of ice in Wellington
Channel in 1854 ?—No ; it was merely frozen over.
Could yon form an opinion of the probability of the
ships getting through the ice that summer?—l was led to
believe they would escape early, from the numerous cracks
in the ice I crossed on my way to Beechey Island.
Did anything occur to induce you to alter your opinion?
—Yes, in consequence of the southern gales in Barrow's
Straits preventing the escape of the ice, as I believed it
would have done.
Could you form an opinion from Beechey Island whe-
ther the ships could get away that summer ?—No • I think
the officers who last visited the ships on foot in Welling-
ton Channel can convey to the court the best idea of it.
Do you know the exact position of the ships when they
were abandoned 9—Only from hearsay.
Are you aware what quantity of provisions there was at
Beechey Island and in the North Star ?—I know, unoffi-
cially, that 12 months' additional provisions were for-
warded to Beechey Island in 1853.
What quantity of fuel ?-800 tons of coal were for-
warded at the same time.
Were the Assistance and her tender, in your opinion,
fit to encounter another winter in the Arctic seas9—Per-
fectly so, as far as the ships were concerned.
Are you aware of any other reasons why they should
not have remained 9—The crews would have required
fresh arrangements.
Are you aware if any arrangements could have been
made to allow the ships to remain in safety ?—Hitving
no
knowledge of Sir Edward Belcher's orders from England
in 1151, I did not know that the crews of the Talbot and
Yhceuix would be available. If they were I should have
employed them to remain by the ships.
How far were the ships from Beechey Island when they
were abandoned ?—About 40 miles.
Were you discharged from the becks of the Assistance
.n June 9—l was.
Into what ship 9—The North Star.
Upon whose orders?—Sir E. Belcher's.
Was it possible to transport provisions from the North
Star to the Assistance and Pioneer by sledges?—Yes.
Who were the last officers who visited the vessels from
Beechey Islantl?—Commander M'Clintock, of the Reso-
lute ; Mr. Codd, master of the Investigator, and Dr. Lyon,
surgeon of the Assistance.
Were the crews of the Assistance and Pioneer fit to re-
main another winter?—Only a small portion of them, but
the ships might be.
You speak of the Admiralty sending out one year's pro-
visions in 1853. Do you mean for the squadron, or for
one ship?—Tor the squadron. They were furnished by
the Phoenix.
You say on or about the 2Gth of August, when leaving
Beechey Island, the Talbot and Phceuix came in ; do you
know if they had any provisions ?—I understood the Tal-
bot came for the use of the Arctic squadron.
Sir E. Belcher said he had no questions to put to the
witness, who was ordered to withdraw.
Commander Leopold M'Clintock was next called.
The Deputy Judge-Advocate—You are additional com-
mander of the Resolute, performing service in the Intre-
pid 9—l am,
Did you travel with Sir Edward Belcher from Beechey
Island in 1854?—Yes.
Was the state of the ice such as to render it doubtful if
the Intrepid could get out of the ice that summer 7—Yes.
The President—Have you had much experience in the
Arctic seas 9—l served in both the preceding expeditions
under Sir James Ross and Captain Austin.
Did you find the state of the ice on the latter occasion
nearly similar to the former, or was there more or loss ice ?
—Within a few miles of the Assistance the ice was of the
ordinary floe. More immediately about her it was heavy

tee.
Did you leave the Pioneer at Beechey Island when you
went to the Assistance?—lt was with us.
Had you any previous acquaintance with the Wellington
Channel on former expeditions?—Merely in crossing its
mouth.
Do you know if it is very rarely free from ice ? —Wel-
lington Channel is as often as free from ice as Barrow's
Straits.
Wore you frozen in the pack with Sir James Boss ?
Yes.
Was the position of the Pioneer and Assistance less
hazardous in that pack ?—I think less so.
If the Pioneer and Assistance had not been abandoned at
the time they were, would there not have been great risk
of their getting to England this autumn?—The chances
were certainly against their getting home.
Was the state of the ice in Wellington Channel such as
to render it probable that the ice would break up and let
them through ?—lt was possible, but not probable.
Sir E. Belcher—Are you aware of the object for which
yon accompanied me to her Majesty's ship Assistance ?—I
understood it was for the purpose of remaining out in com-
mand of her.
Was it from my positive knowledge of the ice in Wel-
lington Channel for two years that if I deemed it possible
to rescue the ship to leave you in command I—l was not
aware that it was limited to one season.
Did you understand that you were to be left if I consi-
dered that any chance of escape offered, or in the event of
the vessel being beset by the ice you might remain, if my
instructions of 1851 warranted such a measure ?—I was
not aware of the circumstances at to the limitation stated.
Captain M'Clure was then called and sworn.
The Deputy Judge-Advocate —Did you leave England
in 1850 in command of the Investigator ?—I did.
For what purpose?—For the purpose of proceeding
through Behring's Straits in search of the missing expedi-
tion of Sir John Franklin.
Did Captain Collinson accompany you ?—He did.
Was he your senior Officer?—He was.
When did you part company with him ?—Two or three
days after leaving Plymouth. I afterwards met him in
the Straits of Magellan. We steamed out in tow of the
Gorgon, and parted company the same day, and I have
not seen him since. The only communication I have since
hail from him was left at Oahu, in the Sandwich Islands.
Where did you then go ?—To Behring's Straits, where I
met the Plover, Captain Moore, and the Herald, Captain
Kellett. That was in July, 1850.
State the course you took up to the loss of the ship.—
After parting company with the Herald we rounded
Point Barrow on the Gth of August, and proceeded to the
Prince of Wales' Straits, where we were frozen in till the
10th of September, where we wintered. We broke out on
July 11 in the following year, and endeavoured to get nod
Barrow's Straits. On the 17th of August bore up a
rounded the western side of Baring Island, and finally, on
the 24th of September, 1851, got frozen in the Bay of
Mercy, where the vessel was left.
State to the Court the circumstances of the aba
rivneddonat-
meat of the ship.—ln April, 1853, Lieut. Penn
tihnethßearteoseflu
Mercyte
siderecl it necessary to join him, for the pusriPosne2
,thewnitaht iDnteeilelaigyelnscleanfrrifreCniapwtahi anoi I
wa-
in
h possibility of
lug what should bra done in our present psi
citio
at once to abandon the vessel, or risk
to England, as it was
getting her through Barrow's Straits to whether
plishment of the
my object to effect it, so that the
north-west were to follow me on the
sth of April to command the returnpossi-
bility vessels, so that the
l
passage might be decided without any
main. On those m
auto
Kellett ordered en
should seem advisable for m
remainder might receive the aleowance of rations if it
a
arriving at the Resolute, Captain
nr-
vey. From the report he found so many to be suffering from
scorbutic affection and general debility that Capt. Kellett
thought
it advisable that a survey should be also held on
those remaining on board the Investigator. If they were
not found in better condition, he considered it advisable
the vessel should be quitted. That report has been already
before the court, and on it we came to the determination
that the ship should be abandoned. There were not
enough men who volunteered to remain to insure the pos-
sibility of tho ship being brought home this summer.
How had you been off for provisions?—Since October,
183,, we had been on two-thirds of the regular service
allowance.
Had that any visible effect on the m e
first
year,
a r,on
account
of
the
quantityo
gamecn Not i n
?
killed ;
but
it was percapti')le in the last year on the health and spirits
of the men, and they lost flesh considerably.
Do you consider it was the only course open to abandon

You
the ship ?—I had no alternative. I saw Captain }Kellett
on the m
nterO haveat
doubt of the propriety of the orders you
received !—None whatever.
D!d you'receive orders from Sir E. Belcher relative to •
the abandonment of the ship ?—None.
The President—Was the ship abandoned in consequence
of 'the scurvy on board?—lt was. It was abandoned by
order of Captain Kellett, but that had no reference to Sir
E. Belcher.
Had you a written order to that effect ?—I had; and
gave it to the court yesterday.
Sir E. Belcher—You stated that you wintered in the
pack in 1850 and 1851, did you experience any extraor-
point anti Poillt Barrow,
dinary danger between that,
and would Captain Collinson, in returning by that route,
we experienced nothing
incur any extraordinary risk ?—Between the position where
we wintered and Point Barrow,
more than the ordinary difficulties of ice navigation, and
with reference to Captain Collinson, should he pursue the
course alongtheA.merica.n continent b her which came, there
is little danger to be apprehended ofsafety.
Whit provisions did you believe her to have remaining
in August, 1853 ?—I cannot answer that question, but am..-
1 convinced C.tptain Collinson would. have In..d inprjk- than''
three years' provisions, as the Enterprise was considerably
larger than the Invesigator, with the same complement of
men, and I knew it was hi 4 determination to fill her with
provisions, and he had 25,000 lb. of flour from the Investi-
gator on board, and he would have completed from the
whalers, as he directed me to do. on entering the icellinson
ose.
Having seen the papers deposited by
Captai there was
n Co
in Angu.st, 1852, have you any reason to supp
any doubt of his safety, or cause him to dese
artll his ship,
when he stated he hal lost no men, and were well?—I
cannot tell what difficulties would beset hint, but I ant
sure Captain Collinsen would not desert his ship without
being reduced to the utmost necessity, or wreck. In either
of which eases, I think we should have beard of him at Port

Leopold this year.
If Captain Colßoston falls back on the notices which have
been deposited at Princess B,oyal Island and is assured of
your safety, he will return by 3ehring's Straits ?—lf he is
still in his ship I think he certainly will • being convinced
and apprised that I have not been able to get the Inveeti•
gator through.
The President—But has he been apprised 7—The docu-
ments deposited will apprise him.
Captain Kellet called in, and sworn.
The Deputy Judge-Advocate—Did you order Captain
M'Clure, under certain circumstances, to leave the ship?

—I did.
Did you do so without reference to any positive 'orders
from Sir Edward Belcher ?—I did. I did it on my own
responsibility.
Was Sir E. Belcher beyond communication ?—He win
He was at his winter quarters in Wellington Channel, and
I was at Melville Island.
How` far are they apart ?—By the ice, about 500 miles.
Was the Bay of Mercy as far?—Yes ; about= miles . ,
further.
Sir E. Belcher declined to put say questions. se--s- - sae, s -
Captain Kellett wished to put in a report from the sur-
geons of the Investigator on the state of the erase. It was'' ';.
dated from her Majesty's ship Investigator, Bay of lteroy,
May 23,1853. It said—" In. obedience to your order con-
veyed to us through Commander M'Clure, directing a sur-
vey to be held on the officers and men remaining on b
stateoard
this ship with a view of ascertaining their general
of health and efficiency for further service in the Polar
Seas, we have the honour to inform you that we have this
day held a strict and careful survey accordingly, and beg
to state as the result thereof that their present state of
health is such as renders them entirely unfit to Undergo
the rigours of another winter without entertaining the
most serious apprehensions for the consequences."
What was the object of your expedition?—There were
two objects, one a search for Sir John Franklin, and
the other to deposit a supply of provisions at Melville
Island.
Row far did you accompany Sir E. Belcher?—To
Beechey Island. I arrived there about the 9th of August.
I was ordered to pursue a course up Barrow Straits for
Melville Island, where I wasto place a depot of provisions,
clothing, and fuel for the ships under Captain Collinson.
I reachd Winter Harbour on the 7th of September.
Finding I could not winter there, I returned to the east-
ward to a harbour I examined, but fortunately did not
get into. I returned- to the westward, where I cut into
the floe, and completed the first portion of my order from
Sir E. Belcher, whore I wintered. Commander M'Clin-
tock immediately started overland towards Melville
Island, to see if the route was practicable for sledges.
He found that it was practicable for sledges, and traced
the coast along Bank's Land to Melville Island. All the
officers and men left in September, 1852. We broke out,
August 18, 1853, in a heavy gale, and endeavoured to
get easterly, in the direction of Beechey Island with the
whole of the Investigator's crew on board, with the
exception of Lieutenant Cresawell and Mr. Wynyatt,
being the only two persons who were considered
capable of undertaking a journey to Beechey Island
with the despatches for Captain M'Clure. In two days the
ships arrived at Port Griffiths, on the south-east of Mel- •
ville Island. From that time ill September 10 we were
endeavouring to get to the eastward, but failed, and got
beset, drifting about in the pack until we were finally beset
on the 12th of November, 28 miles SW by S true of Cape
Cockburn, where the ship was abandoned on the 15th of
May, 185 t, by order of Sir Edward Belcher.
What was the state of the ships when abandoned ?—ln
a perfect condition, except the false keel was off the Reso-
lute, which was rather an improvement. She wasbattened
dwoaesm in,, and
a stpatreovflosriornes.ocaenudvasttoiornes,
ewereleftcconii
ng onto board.order . SThehe
state of the health of the officers and crew was very good.]
How much provisions had you on board ?—With the e- ,
ception of preserved meat, I had a supply for 50 men for
twelve mouths. I had also a large proportion of comforts
provided by the Lords of the Admiralty.
What induced you to abandon the ships ?—The order I
received from Sir Edward Belcher.
Did he confer or consult with you before giving the
order ?—No.
Do you think it would have been practicable to have got
through the ice this summer ?—I think it was very pro-
bable.
From your knowledge of Arctic navigation, if there was
a more than ordinary quantity of ice, do you consider you
could have got through the ice in the summer ?—Yes, in
the autumn.
Do you think, from the state of the ships and crew, if
you had not got through this summer, that you could have
remained another winter without incurring more than or-
dinary risk ?—I think we might.
Do you think if you hail remained you could have as-
sisted Captain Collinson ?—I think Captain Collinson will
never come up to the northward. A document was depo-
sited at Ramsey Island by me, in which I advised him not
to return by that route ; that is, if he was obliged to desert
his ship ; but I think that parties would have been use-
fully employed next spring in following his traces, which
cannot now be done.
The President—Did you advise Captain Collinson to re-
trace his steps to the westward?—Witness : Sir Edward
Belcher had a copy of the record I left, and I advised him
to return by Behring's Straits, as all had been done to the
westward that could be done. In fact, no more land could
be seen to the westward of my travelling parties. Had he
found my record I could have been no assistance, to him by
remaining if his ships were intact.
Do you consider Captain Collinson would find your re-
cord ?—No ; Captain Collinson states it to be his intention
to follow is supposed strait which one of his travelling par-
ties had already gone up more than 100 miles. That I think
he will pursue as far as practicable. Failing there I con-
sider he would attempt to get easterly, as Capt. M'Clure
had already coasted along the western shores of Baring
Island, where Captain Collinson followed him, and found
his record stating he had gone on.
Were you aware of Capt. Collinson's intention when you
abandoned the ship ?—Ne ; I obtained that information
by the unparalleled journey made by Lieut. Meacham.
Whore were you when you received that information ?
—At Beechey Island, after I had abandoned the ship.
That information was sent to Sir Edward Belcher by M.
Dupre, the French mate, by dogs, in two hours after I re-
ceived it. The officer informed me that he reached Sir E.
Belcher in a few hours.
If it had been thought desirable that the ships should
remain another season, with the view of affording assist-
ance to Captain Collinson, do you think there is ann
ose reason
why they should not have remained for l
tto hat
it. purp 1—
No, the ships and crews were quite equa
Sir Thomas Pasley—Was it too late to make other sr-
rotopeerntdoelsnagvere
hdee;
ar-
rangements after the receipt of this intelligence ?—My
toapiinneidonthies that it wouldsra have an vg el e beeniemn pt
wintering another season with the Investigator's crew on

board.
If Captain CoMeson got the set in the channel near
Victoria Land, would he have been within the reach of
travelling parties ?—I am not aware of tie distaice, but
if he had been within 600 miles they would' 'have. reached.
him, for my officers travelled 1,200 miles-600 out and
600 back.
Should you have cone home if it had been left to you?
—Without orders from the Lords of the Admiralty I
should have come home.
Sir Edward Belcher—Were the orders to withdraw your
crew, leaving the ship in a condition. for re-occupation,
given under the impression that you or Captain 31‘Clure
had taken the necessary steps in-Wig to ascertain if Cap t.
Collin Son had come upon the traces of Caßtain 31‘Clure?
—I am not aware of Sir Edward Belcher's imp ions.
Was it expressed in a private letter to you 2—l am un-
able to say. per entrusted
If you had exercised. the discretionary po
to you, should I not have known of the safety of Captain
Collinson a year before ?—No• proceed to the
Bay oer Manerycyortdoe and had pro-
ceededlf he had failed to find the Investigatour,da
n 1111666 1-Id.Wollld,
rsseegikvfeonr tthoeClatel.nti gFaitmoriTo
found the records of Captain Collins!) _Ea
down Prince Albert's Sound,. wo___l.he_not have
but would not be able to have returned e for Ina to
send them to you.
apprise' of Lieutenant 9
sate, should I not have been__ „...Ira a
In your despatch sent by Lieutenant Hamilton of a later
succeis had he so proceeded? on would have been lip.
• 4by mY despatch by Lieutenant Hamilton.
prise
The Court then adjourned.

1)-----RER FOREIGN OREDITORK,,,-t-Tile last
• first three numbers of the
periodical started in the
Al 4 brought th•
. Rickards, the agent of the Eng-
lish bondholders. Its chief object is to spread a know-
ledgo Of the commercial resources of Mexico, and, at
(31:ite;resztoaIn,31tdireaxciomenosoi:labaye,,ithre
the Owe time, to advocate the claims of the foreign
creditors. Politics, under the existing dictatorship,
are, ,f coarse, to be avoided, except in so far as the
illusions may be favourable to General Santa Anna,
upon whose intentions there is a strong eulosium from
a correspondent in the last number. Aticording to
this writer, the aim of the General is, that his dictator.
ship should merely facilitate a transition to some of the
advantages of a constitutional system, by preserving
order until an habitual respect for it shall have grown up,
" I have the honour of his own words," it is observed,
"to the effect that any pledge ever given by him will
be honourably fulfilled at the seasonable moment, or
when it can be done with safety to intact national secu-
rity." It is pssible that this may be a true representa-
tion of Santa Anna's views, and there can be no question
aa sn
at
la. thhye
intonecessityih ot fh
e
s t ringen
countrystringent measures
e that the
to
prin-
cipal point for distrust lies in the circuinstancw
when
shall General is himself to be the sole judge as
" seasonable moment" for limiting his power have
mbeaad s ures
fallen. t ) c repress
The
the

arrived. •
A GOOD LANDLORD.—The Earl of Erne has been pay-
ing a visit to his tenantry in this county, accompanied
by his agent, J. Ruttledge, Esq., to whom he has given
instructimis to ply his tenants for any
improvements
' done by them, and to give provisions to such as have
the houses and farm; ill good orler. Ms lordship goes
thii day to Croin Castle, carryilog with him the hip g:
of his numerous tenantry.-01 ow° Constitution.
1