The Sun.
London, England, 1851-11-11 00:00:00

-

K_

etersburgh,
Moscow, Toholsk, Irkutz, and TA=
.outz, to the mouth of the Kolyma, and thence corn-
mence exploring the coast of Siberia east and west,
irorn the
ontaoalrsttoi h:ge-
ede
talfsl
eotrr caaappea
dr
party,
yaft,
aAnbsoui
eat
merely
oo
fe trhelel
yB,C ape North
He had Cook, n
stating that the expenses of the
com-
panion and a servant, ("for amiles.
journey would be trifling in comparison with the ve-
suit which it appeared to promise. To his great
disappointment the Admiralty, though thanking him
for the suggestion, declined to undertake the execution
of the plan. Lady Franklin, however, impressed
with the hope of obtaining satisfactory intelligence,
requested him to carry out his proposal by private
means ; and, unlimited leave of absence being granted
to him by the Admiralty, he had no hesitation in
responding to her desire. Lady Franklin was only
able to devote 5001. to the expedition ; it was there-
fore determined to use that money for fitting,it out,
and to apply to the Emperor of Russia to.iaiist in
the object. An interview with the braeleof the
Foreign• office was obtained. Sir R. MUiphison,
the President of the Royal Geographical Society,
had fully entered into his views, which wee alone
sufficient to inspire him with confidence. 'He should
proceed to St. Petersburgh on the 18th instant
to present letters, and enlist the sympathy of the
Russian Government in the cause. His original plan
had, however, undergone some modification. Mr.
Berthold Leeman, late naturalist of the Herald, had
meant to accompeny him, but was unable to do so ;
he was, therefore, compelled to proceed :Acne, and to
look forward to companions provided by the imperial
service of Russia. Supposing the negociations with
the Court of Russia to terminate favourably, his track
would lead from St. Petersburgh to Moscow by rail-
way ; from Moscow to Irkutz by sledges, a distance
of 3,544 miles ; and from Irkutz to Takoute, also in
sledges, a distance of 1,824 miles, the whole journey
occupying about four months. At Takoutz all regu-
lar travelling conveniences terminated, and the 1,200
miles to the river Kolyma, as well as the 2,000 miles
of search, would hare to be performed in a manner
best adapted to the resources
of the country. In 1854
the task might be completed, l unfortunately, before
that time no trace should have been found. In. the
interval he should lose no opportunity of apprising
solicited the
in
formmate
the Royal Geographical Sotchieety of his proceedings,
tfur.
nanisdh himhe
withnw advice so
inion rreaspeoc.tindgh.a
country so little known. Thishad receive
is
most serious attention; and if his planaohers of success
might seem too sanguine, the fact of
without au37-pay from Government, or undertaking,
re-
muneration from Lady Franklin, the execputiona
of
thproject, was sufficient to show that he wonaenot
et
merely a theorist, but a man ready to carry his plans
into practical execution to the utmost of his abilities.
—(Hear, hear.) In conclusion he offered hie
acknowledgments to Sir R. Murchison, the patron of
the undertaking; to Lord Palmerston, the Earl of
Shaftesbury, Sir F. Beaufort, Mr. Robert Brown,
Mr. Tonna, Mr. Addington, and Mr. Barrow, with-
out whose aid he could not have hoped to attain his
end. Should his endeavours be attended with suc-
cess, the British nation would have to thank those
men for lending their influence and co-operation in
this truly national cause.—(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN having invited the expression of
opinion of the distinguished geographers present,
Captain KELLETT, R.N., said that Lieutenant Pim,
who had served with him six years, was fully com-
petent to the undertaking, and it would be one more
stone turned which ought not to be left undone.—
(Hear, hear.) It was a part of the world which
ought to be searched ; end, giving Franklin credit
for pursuing the object of his voyage, be would natu-
rally go towards Behring's Straits. Had they been
anywhere short of this point we should have been
certain of intelligence of so numerous a party before
this time. He was just as likely to be found on the
north coast of Greenland as anywhere ; and if Lieu-
tenant Pim could go 10,000 miles on land, this coast
also might be explored.
Captain PENNY, R.N., said this was a link wanting
in the chain of search. With the enthusiasm of Lien-
tenant Pim he thought the search might be under-
taken. His opinion was that Sir J. Franklin must
have advanced far towards Behring's Straits. He
(Captain Penny) had found a great quantity of drift
wood in the channel leading to it ; and be thought
the north coast of Asia ought to be searched.
Major CARMICHAEL SMIJTH thought the project a
feasible one.
Sir WOODBINE PARISH entered into some interest-
ing explanations by reference to a large map, showing
the practicability of the undertaking.
Count WIELHORSKT, the Secretary to the Russian
Embassy, promised, on the part of the Russian ;.3o-
vernment, that Lieutenant Pim would receive from
the Imperial Government at St. Petersburgh the best
reception, and that every means would be afforded to
assist him in so noble and generous an enterprise.
No other gentleman wishing to address the meeting,
Lieutenant PIM made a few observations in expla-
nation of his plan. _ _

The CHAIR-MAN then moved the thanks of the
meeting to Lieutenant Pim, for the lecture they had
that night heard, sad coupled with it the following
resolution :—" That the Council of the Royal Geo-
graphical Society have requested the President, on
their behalf, to wait on the First Lord of the Admi-
ralty, and make known to him the proposed expedi-
tion of Lieutenant Pim, the steps which have been
taken by the Royal Geographical Society in behalf
of that officer with the Russian authorities, and to
solicit the countenance and assistance of the Ad-
miralty."
The resolution was carried by acclamation.
A Member suggested that something more sub-
stantial should be presented by the society to Lieut.
Pim, to enable him to pursue the object he had in
view ; but the Chairman said they would first try
what would be done by the Admiralty, and if their
application failed, then no man would more readily
contribute to the cause than himself.
A vote of thanks to the president closed the business
of the meeting.

mod'/`'~<