The Sun.
London, England, 1851-12-08 00:00:00

THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

The following interesting correspondence has now
for the first time, been made public :

MR. PENNY TO THE LORDS OF THE ADMIRALTY.

Ship Hotel, London, Sept. 12, 1851.

Mr. Lords,—On my return from the Arctic regions I
beg to lay before my Lords Commissioners of the Ad-
miralty, at the very earliest moment, on consideration,
certain points which are of vital importance to the
search in which I and so many others have been en-
gaged ; and I beg your Lordships to excuse any undue
treedom of expression which may occur in putting before
you my convictions. First, I have, under a deep sense
of duty, to exprese to your Lordships the extreme im-
portance of the fact, which I have learnt only since my
return, that the provisions carried out by the North
Star are lying in Lancaster Sound instead of at Disco
Island. Had this fact been made known to the search-
ing squadron , either at the time when so deposited, or
this year, it must have very materially affected the
question of the return of the expedition, whose labour,
now that the course taken by the missing ships is known
almost to a certainty, could not have been cramped fur
want of resources to fall back upon. The whole of
Captaie Austin's squadron are convinced, from my re-
port, and from not having seen the North Star them-
selves, that Mr. Saunders deposited his provisions at
Disco. I feel bound to add, that had that officer per-
mitted me to see your Lordship's instructions, I should
have been aware that his interpretation of them was not
in conformity with the meaning of your Lordships.
Secondly. Yeur Lordships are aware that I have dis-
covered the course of Wellington Channel lies N.W.,
distance of GO miles beyond the point which I reached,
and about 180 beyond the entrance of the channel from
Barrow Straits; and th tt it is my conviction that the ex-
tensive yet unavailing investigations of the coast of
Barrow Strait westward place beyond a doubt that the
missing expedition has taken this N.W. channel, and
that their course should be therein followed with the
utmost energy, determination, and dispatch.
The heavy barrier of ice which has blocked up Wel-
lington Channel near its junction with Barrow Straits
prevented ail access northwards, both last year and the
present, up to the period of our return; and in my
opinion a powerful steamer only, to take advantage of
the short season, is fit for the accomplishment of the
work. It is not possible to overrate the advantages of
such a steamer; it would do with safety what nothing
else could accomplish.
Thirdly. My observations convinced me that, this
northern latitude once reached, comparative open
water would be found. The climate improves; and
in proof of this I may mention, that within this
channel at Point Surprise, lat. 76 deg. 2 min., long.
95 deg. 55 min., we found ducks on the 17th May—
full a month earlier than in the lower latitude;
while the sea was even then so free from ice that the
water washed our very feet as we stood upon the point.
The quantity of drift wood was comparatively large, and
among this was found a piece of drift wood of English
elm, evidently to me a bit thrown overboard from the
Erebus and Terror. Walrus and seals were also seen and
killed. And from all these circumstances of improved
food
und fuel, it is impossible to doubt that Sir John
Fran
party may still be living in this most northern
region.
In conclusion I venture to put before your lordships
the importancethe of immediate steps for the prosecution of
search; and I intreat you to send up a powerful
steamer without delayto follow up the work, which we
have failed to accomplishof for want of fitting means to do
Sp, And on account
feelingf myself fettered by the
terms of my instructions myself bound to state,
in further explanation, that_outrheL terms of the
but to
instructions I received from
no alternative
to leave me return
ndshhips seemed
it not been for these restrictions I shouldomneo.t have
dared to have done so. At the mirne time, with my aypre-
sent means, but crippled by the depots of
provisions
which have been left on the coast, and with no known
resources to fall back upon, I could not have lasted
on another year without great risk to my men.
Since my return I learn that Captain Al‘Clure and
Captain Collinson are proceeding eastward from Behring
Strait, intending to reach Melville Island, which I have
i• e'
not the slightest doubt of their acoomp is ing; and being
aware also of the opinion of Captain Kellett, which is
my own also, that they would not return westward, I
leave your Lordships to judge if such a certainty, as I
may presume to call it, does not afford additional neces-
sity for sending to meet them at the earliest moment.
If the promptest measures are adopted, and a steamer
prepared with all possible dispatch, she may easily reach
Lancaster Sound before it is closed by ice for the season;
and for the command of such a vessel, to be accompa-
nied by the Lady Fr4ultlin and Sophia, whose officers
and ere vs are to a man willingsodl
eager retard,
t):.g to offer my service 9. My 'officors and men are in
perfect health,end
willing to follow wherever I may
lead them. If this b plan e adopted, the North Star

LONDON,

should be sent up next spring, with provisions, coals, and
stores. - I have &c.,
(Signed) WILLIAM PENNY.
Board Minute, 18th September.
My Lords have thought it proper to request the at-
tendance of Sir Francis Beaufort, Sir Edward Parry,
and Sir James Ross, Captain Beechey, Sir George Back,
and Sir John Richardson.
The following officers—viz., Sir Francis Beaufort, Sir
Edward Parry, Sir James Rosa, and Capt. Beechey, at-
tonded here this day; Sir John Richardson and Sir
George Back not being within reach.
This letter, No. 18, was placed before the above
officers present, and they have seen Captain Penny,
and having afterwards communicated with their Lord-
ships, my Lords, on a full consideration of the circum-
stances, declined acceding to Captain Penny's offer.
Present—Sir Francis Baring, Admiral Berkeley, Ad-
miral Stewart, Captain Milne.

W. A. B. H, See.::

Acknowledge receipt of this letter, and acquaint
Captain Penny that my Lords are mach gratified by
his zeal, and this generous offer of his services to pro-
ceed with his two ships and a steamer, to endeavour to
reach Lancaster Sound this season; but that, on a full
consideration of all the circumstances of the case, their
Lordships declined to accept the offer.
W. A. B. 11.
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY TO MR. PENNY.

Admiralty, Sept. 13, 1851.
Sir,—Referring to a dispatch from Captain Austin, of
her Majesty's ship Resolute, dated the 12th of August
last, in which he states that, " having communicated with
Captain Penny, and fully considered his official reply to
my letters relative to the search of Wellington Strait by
the expedition under his charge (unhappily without suc-
cess), I do not feel authorised to prosecute (even if prac-
ticable) a further search in these directions," I am corn-
mended by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
to signify their direction to you to take the earliest op-
portunity of transmitting to me for their Lordships' in-
formation a copy of your official letters to Captain
Austin referred to.—l have, &c.,
(Signed) W. A. B. HAMILTON.
MR. PENNY TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY.
437, Strand, Sept. 15, 1851.
Sir,—l am sorry that I have not with me a copy of
the note to which Captain Austin refers in his dispatch,
but I know the words by heart, and they will appear in
the following statement which I have the honour to lay
before you for the information of the Lords of the Ad-
miralty.
I stated verbally to Captain Austin that it was my
conviction that Sir John Franklin had gone through the
strait leading N.W. out of Wellington Channel (which
I have for the present named Queen Victoria Channel),
and that he had gone off in clear water, and that he was
beyond our reach. I meant, of course, beyond the
reach of my parties and my moans. He did not seem
disposed to credit my statement. I begged him to give
me one of his steamers, and I would take the Sophia,
and would act as pilot, and go up the channel, and wait
to ace if the ice would clear away; that he would thus
have the advantage of my practical experience. Capt.
Austin declined this request, and went away. Late at
night he wrote me a note, saying, "Is Wellington
Channel searched, or is it not searched?" My reply in
writing was, " Sir, your question is easily answered, I
did all in the power of man to do in Wellington Channel.
It requires no further search." I feel convinced that I
have given the exact words I used, and I limited myself
to the question he put to me. Captain Austin is per-
fectly aware that I had previously put before him all
the circumstances, and that I had discovered open water
leading north-west out of Wellington Channel.
I have, &e.,
(Signed) WM. PENNY.
SECRETARY 07 THE ADMIRALTY TO SIR. PENNY.
Admiralty, Sept. 15, 1851.
Sir—With reference to your letter of this day's date,
in which yon state that " I begged him (Captain Austin)
to give me -one of his steamers, and I would take the
Sophia, and act as pilot, and go up the Channel," I am
commanded by my Lords Commissioners to acquaint
you that my Lords would wish you to explain clearly
whether there was not a barrier of ice at the entrance of

Wellington Channel, which would have prevented these
vessels proceeding in that direction.--1 have, &e.
(Signed) W. A. 13. HAMILTON.
MR. PENNY TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY.
437, Strand, Sept. 16, 1851.
_ _ _

Sir,—ln reply to your letter of the 15th instant, in
reference to my application, to Captain Austin to give
me one of the steamers, and I would take the Sophia and
act as pilot and go up the channel, and requesting me
to explain clearly whether there was not a barrier of ice
at the entrance of Wellington Channel which would
have prevented these vessels proceeding in that direc-
tion, I beg to state in reply that there was undoubtedly
a barrier of ice at the time I made the application ;
but I nevertheless was anxiously desirous to go up to it
with the vessels I have named, and remain there for the
chance of its opening until the setting in of the frost at
the close of the season; it being then understood that
had the wind remained from the west, as it then was, I
could not expect any change, but a shift to the eastward
would have made a rapid alteration in the ice.
It is my conviction that to such a sudden change is to
be attributed the signs of Sir John Franklin's precipi-
tate departure from his winter encampment. For this
reason I was most anxious to be watching at the edge
of the ice. I have, &e.
(Signed) WM. PENNY.
SECRETORY OF THE ADMIRALY TO MR. PENNY.

_ _
Admiralty, Sept. 15, 1851.
Sir,—With reference to the first paragraph of your
letter of the 12th April last, addressed to the Secretary
of the Admiralty, in which you state that, " the traces
found of the Franklin expedition. were apparently those
of a retreating party," I am commended by my Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty to call upon you to
define more particularly what is meant by the said ex-
pression. I have, &c.
(Signed) W. A. B. HAMILTON.
MR. PENNY TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY.
437, Strand, Sept. 18, 1851.
Sir,—ln reference to the expression used by me in my
dispatch of April 17th, that the traces found of the
Franklin expedition were apparently those of a retreat-
ing party, of which you call upon me to define more
particularly my meaning, I have to state that I formed
my opinion entirely from Captain Ommanney; but that,
as appears farther on in my dispatch, I was afterwards
led to a very different conclusion on landing, and finding
undoubted traces of a winter station of the Erebus and

Terror in 1845 and 1846, of which the date upon the
graves is positive evidence, Captain Ommanney had not
seen these evidences of a prolonged stay when he formed
the opinion to which I have alluded, and which was
afterwards rejected by the whole of the squadron. To
make the matter sure I took a travelling party to explore
all the way to Cape Hurd, without finding anything
which could justify the idea of a retreating party.
Had it been a retreating party traces would have been
found of such in the way to it and in the way from it,
in some quarter or another, whereas the whole country
has been scoured without discovering any.—l have, &0.,
(Signed) WM. PENNY.
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY TO MR. PENNY.

Admiralty, Sept. 22, 1851.
Sir,—With reference to your letters of the 12th April
and Bth September last, and your report of the zealous
assistance afforded to you by the several officers and
others therein named, as well as to the general good
conduct of your men, 1 am commanded by my Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you that
my Lords desire to express to you, and to the officers
and crews of the Lady Franklin and Sophia, the sense
they entertain of their praiseworthy conduct through-
out the service they have been employed upon; and the
satistaction of my Lords at the untiring and praise-
worthy exertions of the travelling parties, as evinced
in the space traversed by them, and the geographical
discoveries they have made.
My Lords are further of opinion that great credit is
due to you and Captain Stewart, and to the officers
under your orders, for the state of health maintained on
board your respective ships.
Yon will assure Mr. Peterson that the value of his
services is fully acknowledged by their .Lordships.

I am, &c•,
(Signed) W. A. B. HAMILTON.
MR. PENNY TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY,
437, Strand, Oct. 10, 1851.

Sir,—l have read in the Times the correspondence be-
tween Captain Austin and myself, which their Lordships
have been pleased to send to the newspapers; without
meaning any disrespect to their Lordships, I hope I may
be allowed to say that I think this is not fair to myself,
as I had no opportunity of making any explanation of the
circumstance, which are quite necessary to a right un-
derstanding of it.
If the object is to show that I thought nothing more
could be dono than the complete search I had made of
Wellington Channel, it is answered by my having asked
Captain Austin for the help of a steamer, which I would
pilot up. Captain Austin's own dispatch shows that on
a previous occasion he did not afford me the assistance
which I might have expeeted from him in getting my
boat up to the open water. But when Captain Austin
seemed to wish to throw upon me, after I had done all
that man could do, the responsibility of his going there
himself, and following up my discoveries, I told him that
he had got my chart, and that I had also told him my
convictions that Sir John Franklin had gone up that
channel, in clear water, and begged him to judge for
himself. My last words to Captain Austin, when he
was going to Jones's Sound, were—" Go up Welling-
ton Channel, sir, and you will do good service to the
cause."
Their Lordships know that I have not been doing by
Captain Austin in his absence what he appears to have
done by me, but now that he is on the spot I do not
hesitate to say that I have received from him very unkind
and, as I think, very unfair treatment, and I am sure
some of his own officers could bear out my assertions. I
have always endeavoured to behave to Captain !Austin
with the respect that is due to an'officer holding so high
a command in her Majesty's service, and I think his
officers have been witness to this. I disdained to say
anything of this kind in his absence.
Their Lordships know that my training has not been
to write official letters, and I am free to confess that I
felt much hurt and offended that Captain Austin should
think it necessary to write to me as if all I had been
saying to him beforehand had gone for nothing.
laslt left
- : mndon for my home at Aberdeen on Saturday
formed soef they pculiiblidicr:tnio;imort
tthweo
ehtot
eurrss after,l
s ta r t
ebde i
on
eg
mi ny-
return, and am now ready to make such' personal expla-
nation as their Lordships may give me an opportunity.
m 15,1
I have, &c.,
(Signed) Wm. PENNY.
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY TO MR. PENNY.
letterl.
5
of the 10:13 instant, I am desired
Sir,—Huv,ng lAtel before Admiralty,
irLalotyrd,
your
8
to acquaint you the
an opportunity of making such explanations as you may
wish, with regard to your late proceedings, will be

CANALS.
I . t.; 'Di vi
Names of g Dividendl
Price. Names 01 2), pedrend
Companies. 1,1 per ; " C•mPanies• :43 Annuna. Price.
sc Annum.' m
X X\
Ashtnts Oldh 58 71. p. et. 140 Macclesfield. 100 k 21. 10s• 50
r.A.rnsley •• • • 160: - - Neatk ......
100 161. -
Rrknk&Abrg 150 51. 85 Oxford.. •• • • 100 i 13'. 135
Birmingham 40, 41. 933{ Peak Forest. 7g 1 31. 18s. 70
Coventry.... 100 95/. 200 Regent's.... 33 1/. 3s.
Derby •• - 100 61. 63 Rochdale.... *5 21. 42
Ellsmre&Chs 69 2% p. et. 353 y Somrset Coal 150, - -
GrandJunctia 100 3/. pr.ct. 483 y Do.LkFd9t 12 - -
Do., 6 pr. Ct. 10 61. pr. ct. 11W Stffrd &Were 140 281. 405
Grand Sauey- 100 21. Os. 3234 Shrewsbury.. 125 "- -
Grand -Calm 100, 11. 10s. 24 Stoarbridge..
Kennt & A.Tri 391 4s. od. 571 Severn andl 145 201. 290
Lancaster . 100, --- Wye Rail. ( 26 V. 03. 24
Leeds& Livrp 1001 201. 405 Warwick& 40
Leicester .... 100 151. 66 liirming. i 100 4/'
Leicstr&Nth 83 41. 44% Warwick&
Loughboregh 142 701. 510 Napton.. i 100 31. 28
Monmouthsh 100 - - Worcstr 7
Mntgerysh 100 •-
MeltnMwbry 100 - - Birming. 378 31. 33
na
- Wilts & Brks - 113. 6d. 710

ikS
f- XI DnumC.OlCSlsharCe4). 112P.A.NIES•
-
Dividend Amount
Name
per of Paid. Price.
Cio CoTmaplian7. AN
An
---. 1
X. s. d. I. s. d.
British •••••• • • •• ••• • 11. 40 0 0 18 0 0 11%
Ditto Provincial•• •• 11. Bs. 20 0 0 20 0 0 18%
Brighton ............l. 20 0 0 - -
City of London .• •• •• 61• leo 0 0 150 0 0 130
Continental Consolidat. 50s. 75 0 0 31 5 0 39%
Equitable .• •• •• ••• •• • 503. 50 0 0 50 0 0 271%
Imperial •••••• •• •• " 31. 50 0 0 50 0 0 70
Independent ..• •••• • • 61. 40 0 0 40 0 0 46
L0nd0n..............- BO 0 0 50 0 0 -
- 50 0 0 50 0 0 -
Do., Pail. Preference 61. 25 0 0 710 0
Phcenix .•••••• • • • • • • 4/. 50 0 0 49 0 0 27
Ratcliff ••••••• • • • • " 5/. 100 0 0 90 0 0 -
United General ••• • • • 11, 50 0 0 50 0 0 1614
Westminster Chartered Si. 50 0 0 - 44%
Ditto, New •••• - • • • 12g• 50 0 0 10 0 0 8%
LIST or SCOTTISH___ COMPANIES' PRICES
----- _
Dividend Amount
Name of Company. per of Paid. Price.
Annum. Share.
---------- ________
£ a. d. I s. d
Bank of Scotland
British Linen Company 81. per cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 201
Caledonian Bank
City of Glasgow Bank 61. per cent. 10 0 0 10 0 0 11%
Clydesdale Bank- •• •• 6% per cent. 20 0 0 10 0 0 12%
Commercial Bank •••• 71. per cent. 500 0 0 100 0 0 176
Eastern Bank •••• • • • • 61. per cent. 25 0 0 10 0 0 10
Edinb.&Glasgow Bank 61. per cent. 5 0 0 5 0 0 4
Exehangeßnk of Scot- 4/. per cent. 100 0 0 42 0 0 8
National Bank 634 per cant. 50 0 0 10 0 0 15%
Northof Scotlandßank 51. percent. 20 0 0 210 0 274
Royalßank of Scotland 51. per cent. 100 0 0 ,100 0 0 134
Unionßank of Scotland 81. per cent. 100 0 0 50 0 0 92
W'esteri Bank•• •• •••• 71, per cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 70
Alliance Fire and Life 8% /.pr cent. 10 0 0 10 0 0 2134
British Guarantee
Caledonian Fire Insnr. 101. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 23
City of Glasgow Life 6l. per cent. 25 0 0 2 0 0 31. las
Colonial Life
Edinburgh Life laser. 61. per cent. 100 0 0 15 0 0 21%
Eng. & Scot, Law Life 51. percent. 50 0 0 217 6 34
Life Assoc. of Scotland 61. per cent. 10 0 0 Ile 0 18/.15s
National Fire and Life 51. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 253.6 d
North British Insar
61. per cent. 200 0 0 20 0 0 27
Scottish Union Insrnce. 6341. pr cent. 20 0 0 , 1 0 0 295.0 d
Standard Life ••
51. per cent. 50 0 0 7 0 0 I 12%
United Dep.Assuraace 51. per cent. 10 0 0 1 0 0 'lBs 0d
ISISCELLANZOIIS.
Dividend Amount
i ;Name of Company. per of Paid. Price.
Annum. Share.
--.......- ---- -......
£. a. d. X. s. 4.
Assam Tea .......... - 20 0 0 20 0 0 9
knctien Mart.... .. .. 21. as. 50 0 0 - 26%
Australian kgriculturl 11. 100 0 0 30 0 0 15
Australian Trust • ... 6/. per cent. - 35 0 0 20%
Anglo-Mexican Mint.. 11. 105. 10 0 0 10 0 0 2434
-0 --
Ditto, Half Shares.. - - 3
1010
British American Land - 38
Canada ... ••..•• • • .. 61. per cent. 100 0 0,,32 10 0 49
Do. 5 per cent Bonds - - - -
Ditte, 6pr ct. Bonds 61. percent. - - 109
City Navigation Bonds 31 per cent. - - 95
Geri. Revers. & Invest. 5 p.c.fcbs, 21 100 0 0 100 0 0 95
Equitable Reversleiry 5/ pr. cent. 100 0 0 100 0 0 10734
Ditto New ........ - 50 0 0 710 0 -
Gea•SteamNavigation 10 p. ct. 15 00114 0 0 27%
Hudson's Bay ........ - Stock. I - 206
Hungerford ...... •• .. 2/. bs. - 1100 0 0 47
London Institution ... - - 78 15 0 6%
New Zealand Company - 25 0 0 25 0 0 -
Ditto, New ........ - 25 8 0 12 10 0 -
Brussel Institution.... - - 26 5 0 -
Penlnslr & Orient.Stm. 81. p. c. & bs. 50 0 0 50 0 0 72
Reversionary Int. Soc. 4341. pr cent. 100 0 0 ,100 0 0 100%
Royal Mail Stearn •• •• 41. p. share. 100 0 0 60 0 0 -
South Australian.- - 11. per share. 25 0 0 25 0 0 23%
Van Dieman's Land.. - 100 0 0 29 0 0 1

THE RAILWAY TO HEREFORD.—The Parliamentary
plans have been deposited ; the secretary of the London and
North-Western has been appointed secretary of the new com-
pany. The offices are removed to Easton-square. The di-
rectors have determined to lay down only a single line of
rails iu the meantime, which will materially lessen the capital
required; and negotiations are on foot with the Canal Corn..
pany having reference to such an arrangement.— Worcester '
Chronicle.