The Sun.
London, England, 1823-12-04 00:00:00

FOR THE SUN.

Mn. EDITOR—A paper has appeared in the
g Chronicle, written with seeming autho-
rity, that Captain Parry in his next voyage is to
explore an opening, which he callitd Prince Re-
evnt's Sound in his first voyage, after passing
Lancaster Sound. Suppose this done, what chance
can there be of making any progress to the west-
ward, supposing Prince Regent's Sound clear of
ice, which it was not when surveyed before. In
this case, perhaps, the ships must winter there.—
In Tna SUN Newspaper of the 19th ult. there
was a hint of the probability of the discovery
ships going to Wager River to winter, and send.
ing a party with horses laden with provisions,
&c. due North to the Arctic Ocean, and then
tracing round the North East Cape of America
and returning southerly to the ships; after which
service, if the season is not too far advanced, the
party may again proceed to the same coast due
north, and survey west by land as far as the
Point Turnagnin of Captain Franklin, when the
party are to return the same way back to the
ships. The only part of the coast of America then
remaining to be surveyed, is from the mouth of
Mackenzie's River to the Sound of the Copper-
mine River, and from the mouth of Mackenzie's
River to Icy Cape and Cape Prince of Wales,
the westermost point of North America, being a
distauce of 800 miles. This may be accomplished
in two light boats, carver-built, an the plait of a
14-oared cutter, with crews of ten men each, two
midshipmen, two lieutenants, a surgeon and cap-
tain, in all twenty-six men. These boats may be
sent in frames, and built at Fort Resolution, on
the south side of Slave Lake, at the mouth of the
Slave River. When the Slave Lake is clear of
ice, the first voyage (if thought of sufficient im-
portance) may be made to trace the coast from
the mouth of Mackenzie's River to the mouth of
the Copper Mine River. After this service to
return to Mackenzie's River, where the boats can
be tracked beck on the east side of the river to
the Slave Lake, and winter at Fort Resolution.
The second voyage will determine the possibility
of sailing along the shore passing Icy Cape, and
through Bherings Strait. Should a barrier of ice
appear, the boats must make an effort to return,
which, if they cannot accomplish, the officers
must find out a spot abounding with wood for
their winter-quarters ; their two tents will shelter
them until a block-house is made (as Captains
Lewis and Clarke did) for their reception, and
their bouts hauled up, and well secured for the
winter, in which case a strong tackle will he found
useful. Each boat will carry five tons of provi-
sions, which is more than 400 day's provisions for
twenty-six men, on an allowance of 21bs. per
man a day. I; the provisions are in tight casks,
these small casks, when empty, will serve for
water-casks, a supply of which will be requisite
if they effect their passage through Bherings
Strait. They had better not touch at liampt-
chatka, but continue their course southerly to the
west of the Curile Islands, and to the east of
Segallan* Island, when, if they should want
water, they might procure some in the bays on
the east side ; but, if their water holds out, they
may first proceed to Soochoo Island, and from
thence to Canton, where they may embark in any
man-of-war or Indianian for England, leaving the
boats to the care of the China Factory, to be
lent in men-of-war to Bombay. Of the possibility
of boats making long voyages, the following is an
instance. Captain Bligh, in the Bounty's launch,
twenty feet long, and six feet five inches wide,
sailed with seventeen men on board 1,500 miles,
and had often very stormy weather. In tracing the
coast of America by land, there is no risk what-
ever ; for suppose the Discovery ships for that
purpose remained in Wager River two years, the
river abounds In fish, and the country with
hares, white grouse, &c., the taking of which
in Deli and, snares will he an amusement to the
crews in winter, and afford a constant supply of
fresh provisions. The expence incurred is of
small consequence if the object is attained with
perfect safety to the ships and crews, with less
delay and danger, perhaps, than can be accom-
plished by flailing round the North-east coast of
America, for before the ships arrive there (sup-
posing the ice clear) the season will be too far
advanced to get fare to the Westward.
Dee. 3, 1323. INSPECTOR.
* There is not sufficient water for boats between the north-
west part of &gallon Island and the Maine, as there is a de-
posit of mud from the River Amor.