The Sun.
London, England, 1849-07-12 00:00:00

TIIE I.IWTIC EXPEDITION.

The following interesting letter has been received at
the Admiralty:—
" Fort Confidence, Great Bear Like, Sept. 16, 1848.
" Sir,—l hive the ii rout to acquaint 3ou, or the in-
formation of my L eels Commissioners of the Admiralty,
that with the boats and party under my charge I
I reached the sea coast at the outlet of the eastern branch
of the M.ickenzie oil the 3d of August, and, having ex-
amined the coast line thence to the Ceppertnine River,
it almost every interaa ning bay, tound no traces
of any p irty of Etiaiipeans having passed, nor any indi-
catiiins whatever of shipwrecked vessels. We had in-
terviews with numerous parties of Esquirneux, who uni-
formly declared that they had seen no ships nor any
whitemen, and, from the friendly way in which these
people met M. I have no doubt of their kindness to any
party of Europeans they might see in distress.
"From the Meckenzie to Cape Bathurst, which we
rounded in 70 deg. 37 min. N. latitude on the 10th of
August, the vegetation indicated a comparatively mild
climate, and we saw no ice; the Esquimaux, also, who
were at this time assembling on the various headlands
and islands to chase the black and white wales, informed
us, that during their two summer moons they never saw
any ice. But, after crossing Franklin Bay, and round-
ing Cape Parry, we had to pass through many streams
of drift ice, which greatly depressed the temperature,
and when we attained Cape Bexley we found the Dol-
phin and Union Straits filled with densely-packed ice,
heueed against the precipitous headlands, and covering,
the sea, as far as we could discern from the heights, en-
tirely across to Wollaston Land.
" Winter may he said to have set in with sudden ri-
gour on the 234 of August, and we h©d frost, and snow
either falling or lying on the ground for many days
afterwards. From that date up to the 3d of September
we had to work our way round every bay by cutting
passages among the flees of ice, or making overland
ports gee, according to circumstances, being occasion-
ally aided in our advance by a little open water where
the shore was shelvng. These laborious operations were
conducted by Mr. Rae, to whose sound judgment, expe-
rience, and personal exertions we were indebted, under
Providence, for the progress we were enabled to make.
" From the experience of four several visits to Coro-
nation Gulf, by Franklin, Dease and Simpson, and my-
self, I had expected, on rounding Cape Krusenstern
we
Should find an open sea to the Copperroine; but such is
the uncertainty of the navigation in these narrow seas
that we tied the disappointment of beholding the whole
gulf completely packed, and had to continue our poling,
cutting, and carrying operations with slower progress
ind augmented labour, as the frost became more severe
up to the 3d of September, when we Were finally arrested
in Icy Cove to the north of Cape Kendall, by the new
;co having so glued the floes together that it wes no
tenger in our power to move them, while the hummocky
'orm of the masses heaped by pressure on the rocky
_mints precluded our launching the beats over them.
teeing that there was no prospect of a speedy change ut
weather, and that the ground was elready covered with
enow, I determined reluctantly on eeittieg the beats aiid
commencing our overland march to Bear Lake from that
a lace.

"Had we reached the Coppermine, as I anticipated
we should do under ordinary circumstances, and es-
prided the Kendall, we should have been, with tents,
•iores, &c.. in compara'ive comfort within four easy
lays' march of F rc Confidence, but it now became ne-
•es,ary to hrugnient the loads in proportion to the in-
rease of &stance.

" Each man being supplied will thirteen days' provi-
-ions, and carrying in addition his clothing, spare shoes,
ind bedding, with cooking kettles, the astronomical in-
.truinents, ammunition, ha, chets, and Lieutenant
Flal-
,ett's portable boat, with lines and nets, we abandoned
the boats and tents, having previously concealed the re-
nainittg pemmican, and on the morning of the 3.1 of Sep-
tember began our march for Back's Inlet, which we
reached the same evening.
" Here we oppertunely found a party of Esquimaux,
who rendered us very essential assistance on the follow-
ng morning by fuming us across a deep river between
300 and 400 yards wide, which they informed us re•
tamed its width far up the country, and without their
nelp we should have lost much time in passing so large
► party across with Lieutenant Hilkett's boat alone. I
have named this river, which was previously unknown
to us, iu honour of Mr. Rae. On the following day we
crossed the Richardson River, which is of less
width, by means of Halkett's boat, and encamped in the
evening on the banks of the Coppermine.
" I had appointed James Hope, a half-caste native,
who had formed one of Dori() and Simpson's party, to
;neet us in the beginning of September with two Indian
bunters on the Copperibine, but, owing to stormy wea-
ther at the time he ought to have set out, he delayed his
march a week, and we missed each oilier altogether,
having, we suppose, passed one another in a day of con-
tinued fog and snow on the banks of the Kendall.
" Yesterday being the 13th day of our march, we ar-
rived at this place, having for the three last days had the
advantage of an Indian guide, who led us by easier paths
than the direct route across the country.
" The way in which the drift ice was packed into Co-
ronation Gulf and Dolphin and Union Straits, so late in
the season as the 3d of September, and glued together
by new ice, rendered it very improbable that it would
open again this season to afford a passage for ships, and
I have therefore no expectation that the discovery ships
can have made their way in that direction this sum-
mer, and hope that they have either found a channel in
a higher latitude more directly westward to the open
sea off Cape Bathurst, or that they have effected a pas-
sage homewards by Lancaster Sound. The circum-
stances I have mentioned show that my boats could not
approach Wollaston Land in this unusually untoward
season, but this may be done next summer, and I shall
endeavour to make arrangements for sending Mr. Rae
with one boat and a select crew of active men dawn the
Coppermine next July to examine the opening between
Victoria and Wollaston Lands. The flood tide, which
at full and change runs in Dolphin and Union Straits at
the rate of three knots an hour, comes from the east•
ward out or Coronation Gulf, and must flow primarily
down the opening I have mentioned, or by the one be-
tween Victoria Land and Boothia, being the only two
communications between Coronation. Gull and Lancaster
Sound and its continuation. On this account, and also
or the purpose of aiding a party which Sir James Ross
provsed to send towards the Cupperrnine over the ice,
Mr. Rae's intended expedition may be useful.
" As the resources of this post are inad, quate to the
support. of our entire party, and the ice remains fixed in
this lake till near the middle of August, too late for men
winteziug here to reach York Factory in time for a
passage to England the same season, I have determined
.n sending thirteen of the men from England up
the Mackenzie without delay, together with six of
Mr. Belt's party, to be supported for the winter at the
fishery on the Big Island Slave Lake. I purpose joining
them myself in the spring, crossing this lake on the
ice, and ascending the Mackerizie when it opens in May,
taking with me the remainder of the English party not
required by Mr. Rae for his summer operations. Mr.
Rae will have instructions to return hither by the end of
August, so as to close the establishment at that tinse,
:Lod remove the people time enough to ascend the Mac-
kenzie and Slave rivers before the navigation shuts up.
During our sea voyage we deposited pemmican at
Point Separation, Cape Bathurst, Cape Parry, and in
Paste), Cove, on the north side of Cape Krusenatern, and
erected signal posts, as agreed upon with Sir J. Ross.
•• I beg that you will be pleased to express to their
Lordships the high sense I entertain of Mr. Rae's valu-
able services during the whole progress of the party,
both on the coast and in leading the men overland, and
also my gratification with the orderly conduct of the
man.—l have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient
servant,

" J. RICHARDSON,
" Medical Inspector Commanding the Party
" To the Secretary of the Admiralty, &e."

NAVAL IN TELLIGENCE.

MALTA, JULY 2.—ller Majesty's steam-frigate Arro-
gant arrived on the :27th ult. from Plymouth. She did
not employ her steam, and under siil has proved a
superior vessel, having realised as much as 11 knots. On
arriving, she saluted the torts and flagship. Yesterday
morning she left us again for Tunis, Algiers, Gibraltar,rre
and Lisbon, and conveyed Colonel Irvine, then stay ne
in making such observations as may one day tend to the
advantage of the island.
The Itacer had arrived at Trieste from Malamocco on
the 14th ult.

The Ripon, with outward India mails, arrived on the
30th ult.

The Medina, arrived from Marseilles yesterday after-
noon.

The Oberon carries on the mails to-morrow to Corfu.
A Russian steamer the Suhin, from London, Fal-
mouth, Oporto, Gibraltar, and Algiers, arrived on the
29th ult.

Her Majesty's ship Vengeance, the Right Hon. the
Earl of Hardwicke, returned last Light from her long
cruise, having been employed during the difficult revo-
lutionary period at Genoa, The Vengeance was re-
lieved by the Thetis, and on leaving Genoa for Naples,
was subject to a period of five days (we believe) quaran-
tine t:t Naples, consequent on the appearance of cholera
in Paris--a stupid imposition, inasmuch as there is
daily commftnication with the French at Rome from
France, and a tree intercourse between the army before
that city and the Neapolitan dominions.
The Noble Earl, who has distinguished himself as
much for firmness of character as for humanity during
the late events, saluted .11e was entering port, and
having brought up in mid chaenel, was taken in tow by
the boats of the squadron, and conveyed to his moorings.
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer
Ripon continued her route to Egypt i.,fst night, with the
Indian mails and passengers, as well to those received
by the Medina from Marseilles.
' DISTRIBUTION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN
SQUADRON.taaT.
In Malta Harbour—The Caledoisia, 120,
.Cap
W. Carter, bearing the flag of VnicerhAiedrm; mai Sir W.
Ceylon, re-
Patker, G.,C.8., the Command; C
e:r-Admiral Edward
ceiving-ship, bearing the flag
Harvey; Howe, 120, Cspiain Sir
undas; J. StirlVening; pow,rad.
84, Captain the Hon. B. S. geance, 84,
wleke; Ter-
Rusamor:d. Commander
Captain the lion. the E,,rl of Hard
Rams,) ;
(in ordinary); and Locust, (tender to
Triton), Lieutenant Glinn.
a Cruise—The Prince Regent, 92, Captain Mar-
tin; 36, Clptain H. CoOrington; R..cer, Captain
c. w. BAdoes; Frolic, Captain J. Vansatart; Bull-
dog, Commander Key; Odin, Captain the lion. F. F.
r,tham; Spitfire, Lit-tvenant-Coanander Willis; Por-
cupine, Lieutenant E. F. Ruberts; Tartarus, Cumultibder
Sir G. Webst( r.

Sorveying Duty—The V. lage, 6, surveying 61141.
eqtttin T. Graves; A tixiii:dry cutter, Lieutenant G. W.
Gerry; Researen CUL:t,r, Lieutenant Lord J. Bro wut±,
buth tmodaiti Lu the Volage.
At Gibraltar—The Janus steamer, Lieuteuant Powell.
At Trieste—The Racer, Lieutenant Beddoes.
At Conatutinople—lione,