The Sun.
London, England, 1849-06-14 00:00:00

THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

The following correspondence alluded to on Tuesday
night in the House of Commons by Lord Palmerston
and Sir Robert Inglis has take❑ place between Lady
Franklin and the President of the United States :—_-

" Bedford-place, London, April 4.
"Sir,—l address myself to you, as the head of a great
nation, whose power to help me I cannot doubt, and in
whose dispo-ition to do so I have a confidence which I
trust you will not deem presumption.
" The name of my husband, Sir John Franklin, is
probably nut unknown to you. It is intimately con-
vected with the northern part of that continent of which
the American Republic forms so vast and so conspicuous
a portion. When I visited the United States, three )ears
ago, amongst the many proofs I received of respect and
courtesy there was none which touched, and even sur-
prised me, more than the appreciation everywhere ex-
pressed to me of his former services in geographical dis-
covery, and the interest felt in the enterprise in which
he was then known to be engaged.
"The expedition fitted out by our lgovernment for the
discovery of the north-west passage (that question which
for 300 years has engaged the interest and baffled the
energies of the man of science and the navigator) sailed
under my husband's command in May. 1845. The two
ships, Erebus and Terror, contained 138 men (officers
and crews), and were victualled for three years. They
were not expected home, unless success had early re-
warded their efforts, or some casualty hastened their
return, before the close of the year 1847, nor were any
tidings expected from them in the interval. But when
the autumn of 1847 arrived without any intelligence of
the ships, the attention of her Majesty's Government
was directed to the necessity of searching for, and con-
veying relief to them, in case of their being imprisoned
in the ice, or wrecked, and in want of provisions ano
means of transport.
" For this purpose an expedition in three divisions
was fitted out in the early part of last year, directed to
three different quarters simultaneously, viz., Ist, to that
by which in case of success the ships would come out
of the Polar Sea to the westward (or Behring's
Straits); 2dly, to that by which they entered on their
course of discovery, on the eastern side (or Davis's
Straits); and, 3dly, to an intervening quarter, comprising
a portion of the Arctic shore, approachable by laud from
the Hudson's Bay Company's settlements, on which it
was supposed the crews, if obliged to abandon their
ships, might be found. This last uivision of the expe-
dition was placed under the command of my husband's
faithful friend, the companion of his former travels, Sir
John Eichardson, who lauded at New York in April ot
last year, and hastened to join his men and boats, which
were already in advance towards the Arctic shore. Ot
this portion of the expedition I may bristly say that the
absence of any intelligence from Sir John Richardson at
this season pr-,ves that he has been unsuccessful in the
object of his search.
" The expedition intended for Behring'a Straits has
hitherto been a complete failure. It consisted of a single
ship, the Plover, which, owing to her setting off too
late, and to her bad sailing properties, did not even
approach her destination last year.
" The remaining and most important portion of the
searching expedition consists of two ships under the
command of Sir James Ross, which sailed last May for
Davis's Straits, but did not succeed, owing to the state of
the ice, in getting into Lancaster Sound until the season
for operations had nearly closed. These ships are now
wintering in the ice, and a store-ship is about to be dis-
patched hence with provisions and fuel, to enable them
to stay out another year. But one of these vessels is in
a great degree withdrawn from active search by the ne-
cessity of watching at the entrance of Lancaster Sound
for the arrival of intelligence and instructions from Eng-
land by the whalers.
" I have entered into these details with the view of
proving that, though the British Government has not
forgotted the duty it owes to the brave men whom it has
sent on a perilous service, and has spent a
very large sum in providing the means for
their rescue, yet that, owing to various causes,
the means actually in operation fur this pur-
pose are quite inadequate to meet the extreme exigence
of the case. For it must be remembered that the miss-
ing ships were victualled for three years only, and that
nearly four years have now elapsed, so that the survivors
of so many winters in the ice must be at the last extre-
mity, and also it must be borne in mind that the
channels by which the ships may have attempted to
force a passage to the westward, or which they may
have been compelled by adverse circumstances to take,
are very numerous and complicated, and that one or two
ships cannot possibly in the course of the next short
summer explore them all.
" The Board of Admiralty, under the conviction of
this fact, has been induced to offer a reward of
nf
anycountry,
which shall
0r20,0t000/. a sntye r ienxgpltoor
ianngy
party
or shipswhatever,
render efficient assistance to the missing ships or
their crews, or any portion of them. This announce-
ment, which, even it the sum had been doubled
comes, however,
wou
too would have
form
haipephrhobaadtion,
un-
fortunately sailed before it was issued, and which, even
if the news should overtake them at their fishing
grounds, are totally unfitted for any prolonged adven-
ture, having only a few months' provisions on board, and
no additional clothing.
" To the American whalers, both in the Atlantic and
Pacific, I lock with more hopes as competitors for the
prize, being well aware of their numbers and strength,
their thorough equipment, and the bold spirit of adven-
ture which animates their crews. But I venture to look
even beyond these. I um not without hope that you
will deem it not unworthy of a great and kindred nation
to take up the cause ot humanity which I plead, in a
national spirit, and thus generously make it your own.
" I must here, in gratitude, adduce the .xatuple of the
Imperial Russian Government, which (as I am led to
hope by his Excellency the Russian Ambassador in Lon-
don, who forwarded a memorial on the subject) will
send out exploring parties this summer from the Asiatic
coast of Behring's Straits northward in search of the
lost vessels. It would be a noble spectacle to the
world if three great nations, possessed of the wide st
empires on the face of the globe, were thus to unite
their efforts in the truly Christian work of saving
their perishing fellow men from destruction. It is
not for me to suggest the mode in which such benevolent
fforts might best be made. I will only say, however,
that if the conceptions of my own mind, to which I do
not venture to give utterance, were realised, and that
in the noble competition which followed American
seamen had the good fortune to wrest from us the glory
(as might be the case) of solving the problem ot the
unfound passage, or the still greater glory of saving our
adventurous navigators from a lingering fate, which the
mind sickens to dwell on, though I should in either case
regret that it was not my own brave countrymen in those
seas whose devotion was thus rewarded, yet should I re-
joice that it was to America we owed our restored hap-
piness, and should be for ever bound to her by ties of
affectionate gratitude.
"I am not without some misgivings while I thus ad-
dress you. The intense anxieties of a wife and of a
daughter may have led me to press too earnestly on
your notice the trial under which we are suffering (yet
not we only, but hundreds of others), and to presume
too much on the sympathy which we are assured is
felt beyond the limits of our own land. Yet, if you deem
this to be the case, you will still find, I am sure, even in
that personal intensity of feeling, an excuse for the fear-
lessness with which I have thrown myself on your
generosity, and will pardon the homage I thus pay to
your own high character and to that of the people over
whom you have the distinction to preside.
" I have the honour to be, Sir,
" With great respect, your obedient servant,
"JANE FRANKLIN."
"Department of State, Washington, April 25.
" Madam—Your letter to the President f the United
States, dated April 4, 1849, has been received by him,
and he has directed me to make you the following
reply:—
" The appeal made in the letter with which you have
honouree him is such as would strongly enlist the sym-
pathy of the rulers and the people of any portion of the
civilised world.
" To the citizens of the United States, who share so
largely in the emotions which agitate the public mind of
your own couutry, the name of Sir John Franklin has
been endeared by his heroic virtues and the sufferings
and sacrifices which he has encountered for the benefit
of mankind.

.....
embarkedsis as-
sistance o f
in a kindredhis
unfortunate
e
expedition,
xspaevdei
tti
oh
ne bravo
and t
" The appeal of his wife and daughter, in their dis-
tress, has been borne across the waters, asking the as-
hine people
enwho
of the United States, who have watched with the deepest
interest that hazardous enterprise, will now respond to
that apps al by the expression of their united wishes, that
every pr per effort may be made by this Government for
the rescue of your husband and his companions.
" To accomplish what you have in view, the attention
of American navigators, and especially of our whalers,
will be immediately invoked. All the information in the
possession ot this Government to enable them to aid in
dtscovering the missing ships, relieving their crews, and
restoring them to their families, shall be spread tar and
wide among our people; and all that the Executive
Government of the United States, in the exercise ot its
constitutional powers, can effect to meet this requisition
on American enterprise, skill, and bravery, will be
promptly undertaken. The hearts of the American
people will be deeply touched by your eloquent address
to their chief magistrate, and they will join with you in
an earnest prayer to Him whose spirit is on the waters,
that your husband and his companions, may yet be re-
stored to their country and their friends.
"I have the honour to be,
"Your Ladyship's friend and obedient servant,
" JOHN M. CLAYTON."

-------
FOREIGN CORN.—BY a recently approved regula-
Con of the customs authorities, the difficulty which
existed with respect to trifling surplus quantities in a
cargo of corn delivered from the vessel direct on impor•
tation over and above the quantity on which the duty
has been paid by prime or first entry has been removed,
each merchant or importing firm having the privilege of
making a deposit of 101. with the receiver of fines to the
Custom-house, which entitles them to the delivery in
eachinstance of such excessive quantity, amounting to
20 quarters, the duty. thereon being subsequently ',aid,
and the deposit remaining for a continuance of the same
privilege so long as it may be desired by the parties.
This arrangement has been very generally adopted by
the importers of corn, and has been found a great con-
venience and advantage in preventing the detention of
grain in the open craft for the
payment of duty on the
small surplus quantities, when it is out of the importer's
power to know exactly the quantity of corn comprised
in the vessel's cargo until the same has been metered and
the proper account taken for the revenue and trade pur-
poses. The same arrangementis to be observed at the
several ports throughout the kingdom, the deposit being
i made with the local authorities of the revenue.
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE Hosprre.L.--Her Majesty
1 has graciously given 1001. from her privy purse in aid of
11 this charity.

NAVIGATION BILL.

HOUSE OF LORDS, JUNE 12.
The following is the list of the Division on the Bishop of
Oxford's amendment :

MARQUIS.
Dro,c,,hed.t

EARLS.
Falmouth

MARQr.ISE.
Lansdowne

EARLS.
Bruce
Carlisle
Granville
Grey
Kenmare
Kingston

CONTENTS.
Nelson
Talbot
Waldegrave
insuoP.
Oxford

NON-CONTENTS.

BARONS.
Colchester
Detuntm
ltedesdalo

Morley Manchester
Minto BABONS.
Oxford Byron
Scarborough Campbell
Shaftesbury Eddisbury
Strafford Erskine
Suffolk Foley
BISELOPS. llowden
llereford Saye and Selo

PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS.

From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13.

COUNTY RATL7,§-A-D-Eil'iN-15ITURE BILL.

Order for Second Reading read; Motion made, and Ques-
tion proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—
Amendment proposed, to leave out from the word " That"
to the end of the Question, in order to add the words " a
Select Committee he appointed to inquire into the present
mode of levying and expending the G,unty Rate in England
and Wales, with a view to ascertain whether any more satis-
factory mode of levying the said Rates, and more effectual
and economical control over their expenditure can be
ad mpted," instead thereof :—Question put, " That the words
proposed to be left out stand part of the Question." The
House divided:—

MINORITY-AYES, 96.
Adair, Hugh E. Frewen, C. IL Pechell, Captain
Anson, Colonel Gibson, Thomas M. Perfect, Robert,
Anon, Viscount Granger, T. C. Philips, Sir G. R.
Bass, M. T. Greene, John Pilkington, James
Bennet, Philip Grenfell, C. Pascoe Reynolds, John
Berkeley, Henry F. Hardcastle, J. A. Ricardo, J. L.
Berkeley, C. L. G. Barris, Richard Rice, E. R.
Blake, Martin J. Hastie, Alexander Robartes, T. J. A.
Bouverie, E. P. Hastie, Archibald Roebuck, J A.
Brotherton, J. Headlam, Thomas Scholefield, William

Brown, W. ,
Henry, Alexander Scully, Francis
Bulkeley, Sir R. B. Heywood, James Shalt°, R. D.
Bunbury, E,lward Heyworth, L. Smith, Vernon
13usfeild,William Hindley, Charles Spearman, H. J.
Buxton, sir E. Hobhouse, T. B. Stansileld, W. R. C.
Carter, J. 13. Jackson, William Strickland, Sir G.
Clay, Sir W. Keogh, William Stuart, Lord D.
Cobden, R. Kershaw, James Talfourd, Sergeant
Colebrooke, Sir T. King, P. J. Ihicknesse, R. A.
Colvile, C.K. Locke, Joseph Thompson, Colonel
Cowan, Charles Lushington, C. Thornely, T.
Dalrymple, Captain 31`Cullagh, W. T. Tollemache, F. J.
D'Eyncourt, C. T. Meagher, Thomas Verney, Sir H.
Duncan, George Martin, Samuel Villiers, Charles
Ellis, John Manic, Fox Wall, C. B.
Evans, Sir De Lacy Mitchell, A. T. Wahnsley, Sir J.
!•;vans, William Molesworth, Sir W. Wawn, J. T.
E wart, William Mostyn, E. M. Williams, John
Fagan, William Mo watt, Francis Wilson, Matthew
Fergus, John O'Brien, J. Wood, W. P.
Ferguson,:Col. O'Connell, John TELLERS.
Foley, John H. O'Flaherty, Anthony Hume, Joseph
Fox, W. J. Pearson, Charles Bright, John

MAJORITY—NOES, 154.
Acland, Sir T. Floyer, John Moody, C. A.
Adair, B. Shafto Forster, M. Mullings, J. R.
Adderley, C.IS, Freestun, Colonel Mundy, William
Austey, T. C. French, F. Mure, Colonel
Arkwright, George Fuller, A. E. Napier, Joseph
Armstrong, Sir A. Galway, Viscount Neeld, John
Bailey, Joseph Gladstone, W. E. Newdegate, C. N.
Baines, M. T. Grace, 0. D. Newport, Viset.
Baldock, E. H. Granby, Marquis of Nicholl, J.
Barrington, Viscount Greenell, G. Norreys, Lord
Bellew, K. M. Greene Thomas Nugent, Sir Percy
Benbow, John Grey, Sir George Packe, C. W.
tierestord, William Grosvenor, Lord R. Patten, J.,W.
Blackall, S. W. Gwyn, Howel Peel, Frederick
Blair, Stephen Haggitt, F. E. Pigott, Francis
Brackley, Viscount Raiford, Sir H. Plumptre, J. P.
Bramston, T' W. Harcourt, G. Portal Melville
_ __

Bremridge, Richard Mauls, Captain
Bromley, Robert Heathcote, G. J.
Brooke, Lord Henley, J. W.
Buck, Lewis W. Hildyard, T. B. T.
Bugler, Sir Y. Hodges, T. L.
Burroughes, H. N. Hodgson, W. N.
Carew, W. P. Hood, Sir A.
t'harter s, Francis Hope, Sir J.
Cholmeley, Sir M. Hornby John
Christopher, R. Hotham, Lord
Clillord, H. M. Howard, Lord E.
Clive, H. B. Howard, C W. G.
Codrington, Sir W. Jervis, Sir John
Coles, 11. IL Johnstone, Sir J.
Cowper, W F. Jollitre,
Cubitt, William Lacy, Henry C.
Darner, Colonel Legh, G. C.
Dawson, T. V. Lemon, Sir C.
Deedes, W. Lewis, George C:
Denison, Edmund Lewisham, Viac.
Denison, J. E. Lindsay, Colonel
Disraeli, B. Lockhart, W.
Divett, Edward Long, Walter
Dod, J. W. Lopes, Sir Ralph
Dodd, George Lygon, General
Drummond, Home M`Naghten, Sir E.
Duckworth, Sir J. Duncan
Duncult, John M'Taggart, Sir J.
Dunne, F. P. Maitland, Thomas
Du Pre, C G. Manners, Lord C.
Egerton, W. T. Manners, Lord G.
Estcourt, J. B. B. Marshall, William
Euston, Earl Martin, C.. W.
Farnham, E. Matheson, Colonel
Farrer, James Miles, P. W. S.
Fellewes, E. Miles, William

Powlett. LordAW.
Prime, Richard
Pugh, David
Reid. Colonel
Richards. Richard
Robinson, G. R.
Rushout, Captain
Sanders, George
Simeon, John
Slaney, Robert A.
Smyth, J. G.
gmollett, A.
Somerville, Sir W.
Sotheron, T. 11. S.
Spooner, Richard
Stafford, Augustus
Stanley, Edward
Stanley, R. H.
Tollemache, John
Trollope, Sir J.
Tyreil, Sir J.
Vesey, Hon. T.
Vivian, J. E.
Waddington, H. S.
Watkins, Colonel
Wellesley, Lord C.
Westhead, J. P.
Wodehouse, Edmund
Worcester, Marquis
Wortley, J. S.
Wy vW, M.

irtLzas.
Pakington, Sir J. S.
Palmer, Robert

Question proposed, " That that the pr; posed words be
there added :"—Amendment proposed to the said proposed
Amendment, by inserting after the word " ascertain," the
wordS " the best mode of arranging an effective control on
the part of the Ratepayers over the C unty Expenditure
and :"—Question proposed, " That those words be there in•
serted :" Motion made, and Question put. " That the De-
bate be now adjourned " The House divided:—
MINORITY—AYES, 83. •
Anstey, Thomas C. Dunne, Francis P. Moody, C. A.
Arkwright, G. Du Pre, C. G. Mulling's, J. R.
Bailey, Joseph Eg,rton, Sir P. Mundy, William
Manic, H. J. Estcourt, J. B. B. Napier, Joseph
Baldock. E. if. Farnham, E. B. Neeld, John
Barrington, Vls. Ferrer, James Newport, Viscount
Bennet, P. Floyer, John gicholl, John
Beresford, William Frewen, C. U. Packe, C. W.
Blackall, S. W. Fuller, A. E. Pakington, Sir J.
Boldero, 11. G. Galway, Viscount Plowden, W. H.
Bromley, Robert Gwyn, Howel. Powlett, Lord W.
Brooke, Lord Haggitt, F. R. Prime, Richard
Burrell, Sir C. Halford, Sir Henry Reid, Colonel
Burroughs, If. Harris, Captain Renton, John C.
Carew, W. P. Hodgson, W. N. Richards, Richard
Cholmeley, Sir M. Hood, Sir A. Stafford, Augustus
Christopher, R. Hope, Sir I. Stanley, Edward
Codrington, Sir W. Hornby, John ' Stanley, E. H.
Coles, Henry B. Hotham, Lord Stuart, J.
Davies, D. A. S. Jolliffe, Sir W. G. Trollope, Sir J.
Deedes, W. Lacy, 11. C. Tyrell, Sir J.
Denison, Edmund Legh, G. C. Vesey, T.
Dick. Quintin Lewis, Sir T. Waddington, H. S.
Disraeli, B. Lewi.ham, Vis. Wodehouse, E.
Dod, J. W. Lockhart, W. Worcester, Marquis
Dodd, G. Manners, Lord C.
Drummond, Henry Mariners, Lord G. TELLERS.
Drummond, Home Maxwell, Hon. J. P. Sotheron, T. H.
Duckworth, Sir J. Miles, W. Henley, J. W.