The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-16 00:00:00

Tifit LONI3O.g. WBBNI,OBIIA V ittvENl.Nd, JANTTAny

vestigation. It is due to our Allies-4o the
people of Great Britain—but pre-eminently so
to Lord STRATFORD himself. Whatever may be
the faults of " Red-tapisua," or " the system"—
the general scapegoat for every error and every
mistake—they could not justify or even extenu-
ate so grave a dereliction from duty. An in-
quiry must therefore take place, in which we hope
and believe Lerd STRATFORD may be able com-
pletely to justify himself, and to show that there
are no private causes which led to what must be
regarded as a very grievous national calamity.

Between low cunning and astute unscrupulo-
sity, as between the latter and sterling wisdom,
the difference is immense. The former not un-
frequently gains its object by reprehensible
means, but quite as often perils the possession of
it by the sheerest folly and recklessness. The
latter attains its object not less reprehensibly, but
takes special care not to hazard by folly what it
has obtained by crime ; while it is the policy of
sterling wisdom to secure by just means what it
has equitably acquired. Which of the three
best describes the policy of Austria in relation to
the Principalities?

Moldavia and Wallachia don't belong to Aus-
tria ; let there be no mistake shout that. To be
sure the reminder is unnecessary, for to the cheek
of what intelligent Englishman does not the men-
tion of these Provinces raise a blush ? But Mol-
davia and Wallachia are in the possession of Aus-
tria. How does this come to pass ? By what means
was it that Austria got possession of them ? By
a wise policy ? The reader laughs. Well, then,
by an astute unscrupulosity, or low cunning and
dissimulation ? Let us employ the test and see.
How has Austria conducted herself in the Princi_
palities since she got possession of them ? Re-
member she came as a protector, and not without
shrewd suspicion of a desire to be something more,
or, if the reader prefer it, something less. The
unfortunate Moldavians and Wallachiaus had suf-
fered from the Russian army of occupation, and
anticipated relief from the oppression to which
they had been subjected. Nothing can be more
obvious than the line of policy which a judicious
regard for her own interests, to say nothing of
the interests of the Allied Powers, called upon
her to adopt. Only by a policy of conciliation
and firmness could she reasonably hope to
secure a permanent footing on territo-
ries she had entered by means of guile,
and at no period could a better opportunity for
adopting such a policy with perfect success have
been found. How has Austria conducted her-
self in the Principalities from the hour of her
entry to the present ? The habitual readers o f
The Sum will find no difficulty in returning an
indisputable reply. We have told how, up to
the hour of telling, again and again ; and now,
pointing to a column and a-half of news, headed
" The Danubian Principalities," in our present
impression, we say '" That's how !"
"Badly," doubtless thinks the reader, " but not
so badly as Russia." About as badly as possible,
very much worse than Russia, though without and
the slightest excuse. Russia did not put the
entire population to the sword, nor hand them
over a prey to famine and pestilence—neither has
she. Russia carried matters with a high hand, but
Russia did not suffer her soldiery systematically to
pillage and outrage the inhabitants, sword in hand,
and if they offered resistance to butcher them.
But this is what Austria has done. Wherever Aus-
tria has had troops in the Principalities there the cry
of pity, the shriek for aid, the burning glance of
indignation, and the fruitless inquisition for
blood, have witnessed to their brutality and to the
villany of their employer. Insult, violation, rob-
bery, murder, these are the pastimes of the Aus-
trian soldier in the Principalities ! Low cunning,
astute unscrupulosity, or sterling wisdom, which ?
Out on the inhuman dastard and her vile arts !
Wisdom, ordinary discretion, humanity, forbear-
ance, are plummets over her ; and so long as she
is suffered to remain in the Principalities, which
there can be no doubt she wishes to keep, so long
will the inhabitants have cause to execrate before
GOD and man the mistaken policy that handed
them over to the tyranny of such an oppressor !
The language may be strong—but read and see if
there i s not cause.

COURT CIRCULAR.

WINDSOR, TUESDAY.

Colonel M'Murdo, lately commanding the Land
Transport Corps in the Crimea, arrived yesterday after-
noon, on a visit to her Majesty.
The dialler party included her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Kent, her Royal Highness the Princess
Royal, his Royal Highness the Count of Flaadere, the
Belgian Minister, M. Van de Weyer, Lady Fanny
Ho ward, Baroness de Speth, Sir George Couper, Colonel
M'Alurdo, and Captain Burnelle.
The band of the Grenadier Guard■ played during
dinner. The Queen's private band afterwards performed
in the Castle.

Hia Royal Highness Prince Albert, with the Prince
of Wales and Prince Alfred, attended by the Gentlemen
in Waiting, skated on the ice in the Home Park this
morning.

Lady Churchill has succeeded the Marchioness of Ely
as Lady in Waiting to her Majesty.
Lord Byron and the Han. M. Sackville West have
succeeded Lord de Tabley and Colonel the Hon. N.
Hood as Lord and Groom in Waitinz.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent will give
her annual ball to her Majesty, his R.►yal Highness
Prince Albert, the Prince of `►'Vales, the Princess Royal,
and other member= of the Royal Family, at Frogmore,
on Friday next. Her Majesty's private bald will be in
attendance.

The marriage of Sir Robert Peel, Bart., with the Lady
Emily Hay, is appointed to take place to-morrow, at the
Chapel Royal, Whitehall.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer returned to town
yesterday from the Grove, 'Watford, the seat of the Earl
of Clarendon. Sir Alexander Spearman had an interview
with the right him. baronet at his official residence is
Downing-street.

Mr and Mrs. Disraeli have arrived at Grosvenor Gate
for the seasan, from Elugheden Manor. The right lion.
gentleman has issued cards of invitation to a Parliamen-
tary dinner for Wednesday, the 30th inst.
Despatches from the Governors of the North American
provinces, Vancouver's Island, and Bermuda, were
received yesterday at the Colonial Office.
DEATH OF COMMANDER MORRlES.—Retired Com-
mander Andrew Morries (1854) died on the 10th inst.,
at Larches, Warwickshire, at the advanced age of 75.
A meeting of holders of Portuguese Bonds is called
for the 18th inst., to take'into consideratio.a a provisional
agreement entered into between the Finance Minister
of Portugal and Mr. Thornton.
The Court of Directors of the East India Company
purpose to invite Sir Geo. Pollock to sit for bis picture,
to be hung up in the Examination Hall at Addiscombe.
Mr. Grant is the artist selected.
FEARFUL EXPLOSION.—On Monday morning a fear-
ful explosion occurred at the new iron vi arks at Lea
Brook, by which four men were instantl:?' killed and
eight others seriously injured. It is suppoi ,ed that some
foul air got into the pipes, and mixing wi th the water
which generated gas, and caused the boiler to explode.
ILLEGALLY ENTERING A NUNNERY.— On Monday
three young men, named John Jen. sings, Henry
Bailey, and Samuel Allen were fined 5/ each for illegally
entering the convent of the Sisters of Mer.?y, at Leeds.
The prisoners said they merely entered the • place for a
lark.
CITY COMMISSION OF SEWEES.--At tho court held
yesterday, the medical officer, Dr. Lethelay, presented
his report, which stated that he had inspected the pre-
mises, 19, Carsitor-street, and found them in a very
filthy state, and requiring immediate atteni ion.
THE MURDER OF MISS HlNDS.—There is a hope—
perhaps but a vague one—that justice law at length
overtaken the parties implicated in the brultal murder of
Miss Hinds. Two men, named James Murphy and
Timms Dunn, are now in Cavan gaol on ci ispicion.
BANQUET AT THE MANSION- OUSE.—Yesterday the
Lord Mayor and the
Lady Mayoress entertained the
members of the Court of Aldermen and their ladies and
a number of private friendf. Among the guests were
General Sir De Lacy Evans
Charles and Admiral Sir
Napier.
The following report of the Directors of the Manches-
ter, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Company for
the half-year ending Dec. 31, 1855, has been issued :
" The directors will recommend to the proprietors to pay
a dividend of ss. per 1001. on the ordinary stock of the
company, or at the rate of half per cent. per annum, and
to carry forward a balance of 7,6381. 6s. 5d."

LATEST NEWS.

THE PEACE PROPOSALS.
VIENNA, Jew. 14.
The Allies have declared the Russian propos:
tions inadmissible.

Prince Gortschakoff is expected to leave this
city on the 18th, bat awaits orders from St.

Petersburg.

All the Vienna evening papers speak of the
new state of affairs as " most serious," " unex-
pected," and "alarming."

PARIS, JAN. 16, 8.30 A.M.
The Moniteur publisihes the report of the

Minister of Finances to the Emperor upon th

financial condition of the country.
The report concludes as follows :
" To resume, Sire, this simple sketch of the

principal financial events of the past year shows

us a commercial activity without a parallel ;

unheard of progress in consumption ; two enor-
mous loans, paid up with the greatest regu-
larity, and in a great measure before the pay-
ments were due ; besides the loans, more than
135,000,000, a sum which had never before
been known to have been employed in the pur-
chase of rentes, for the departments ; the di-
rect contributions paid by anticipation, and al
most without expense ; a well-balanced budget ;
the floating debt reduced ; and all this despite
the war, despite the crisis in the high price of
food, despite the very considerable outlay, which
accidental circumstances-imposed upon us. What
greater proof could be given of the vitality and
richness of tAs country and of all that France is
capable of under a popular Government, with
such resources wisely employed ? Extravagance
alone might be feared. Your 34ajesty will know
to obviate that danger by your high prudence,
by firmly opposing tho inconsiderate temptations
of speculation, and by adjourning, in the interest
of the enterprises already commenced, all those
which do not hear the evident mark of urgency."

HAMBURG, JAN. 14.

Two vessels of war have arrived at Copenhagen
from England, proceeding to the Baltic to cruise
before the Russian ports.

MADRID, JAN. 14.

Marshal O'Donnell has resumed his duties as
14 Sinister War. The Government has granted
an amnesty to the Carlist prisoners of Catalonia,
ou account of the complete pacification of the
principality. General tranquillity prevails.

FRANCE.

PARIS, TUESDAY EVENING.

The Duke of Cambridge, in the name of her
Majesty Queen Victoria, to-day distributed the
British Crimean medal to 14,000 French troops,
just returned from the seat of war.
They were drawn up in the Place du Carrousel.
The 'mperor was much cheered, and the whole
scene was very isnposiiitg.'
The Monitew contains the revenue returns for
1855. Indirect taxes there is, as compared with
1853, a net increase of 103,619,000 fr, and as com-
pared with 1853 au increase of 101,075,000 f.
The Moniteur publishes the returns of the in-
direet taxes and revenues of France in 1855 ; from
which it appears that the receipts amounted to
950,879,000 f., or 103,619,000 f. more than in 1854.
The following are the different items forming that
amount :

Registry duties, mortgage., ace.
Stamp duties
Import duties—en corn
-------- merchandise
French colonial sugar 37,191,000
foreign sugar 35,199,000
Export duties 1,374,000
Navigation dues 3.255,030
Sundry Customs duties and revenues 3,096,000
Salt tax
Duty on potable liquors . 114,870,000
Duty on domestic sugar
Miscellaneous duties and receipts 43,704,000
Sale of tobacco, &c.
gunpow ler ... 8,800,000
Postage of letteis
Duty of 2 per cent. on money forwarded
through the Post-office
Fares in mail coaches
-- mail packets
Transit duty of foreign correspondence
Accidental receipts

1,662,000
268,000
8,000
659,000
46,000

Total 950,879,000
The items which exhibit an increase compared
with 1854 are—Registry duties, mortgages, &c.,
37,165,000 f. ; stamp duties, 2,760,000 f. ; import
fluty on merchandise, 24,944,000 f.; ditto on French
colonial sugar, 3,999,000 f. ; ditto on foreign sugar,
11,424,0001. ; navigation dues, 146,000 f. • sundry
Customs receipts and revenues, 263,00C;f. • salt
tax, 1,965,500 f. ; miscellaneous duties and re-
ceipts, 8,615,000 f. ; sale of ,tobacco, 7,630,009 f. ;
ditto of gunpowder, 775,000 f. ; duty on money
forwarded through the post-office, 138 000 f. ; tran-
sit
duty on foreign correspondence, 53,000 f. ;
accidental receipts, 22,000 f. Total increase,
•
108,120,000 f.

The items which exhibit, a decrease are—lmport
duty on corn, 556,000 f. ; export duties, 133,000 f.;
duty on domestic sugar, 2,906,000 f. ; postage of
letters, 707,000 f. ; fares in mail coaches, 151,000 f.;
ditto in mail packets, 48,000 f. Total decrease,
4,501,0001.
The receipts of 1855, as above eta ed, will be
further increased by the addition of a sum of
6,130,000 f. remaining to be recovered on the 31st
of Dec., so that the receipts of the year will have
amounted to 957,009,000 f. The total receipts set
down in the budget were only calculated at
891,756,000 f. They have consequently been ex-
ceeded by a sum of 65,253,000 f., in which the now
taxes, established by the laws of the sth of May
and 15th of July, 1855, figure for 33,230,000 f.
The proceeds of the property or direct tax col-
lected on the 31st of December, 1355, amounted to
417,555,000 f., leaving only 18,542,000 f. to be re-
covered at that date.

The Council of War assembles daily at Paris
under the presidency of the Emperor, but the
strictest secrecy is maintained respecting the deli-
berations. The Debats of yesterday says that one
of the principal questions under disoussion is the
unity of the command of the Allied armies. The
Paris correspondent of the Independence Beige be-
lieves that the campaign will be continued in the
Crimea, and that the expedition to the Baltic, to
be almost exclusively English, will be without an
army for disembarkation. The same writer men-
tions a report that the new French loan " will be
subscribed, if not entirely in England, at least with
a solidarity of the resources of the two nations, and
guaranteed by the two goveri.ments."
BOURSE, Jan. 15.—The following are the last
quotations :

Cash. fr. e. End of Month.
4i per Conte 9l 75 —f. -a
3_per Cents 62 0 62 60

New Loan

63 10

Bank Shares 3100 Roman
Credit Alobilier 1217 50 Austrian
Belgian Fives. — Spanish Threes
Piedmontese B4 Home Debt 344

steamer at length left, and immediately after the
American vessel put out to sea and steered for the
Russian coast. The• English steamer, which had
not got beyond Elsinore, immediately pursued her,
but was too late to prevent her reaching a Russian
port. A Russian vessel which was at Elsinore also
managed to escape while the English steamer was
in pursuit of the American vessel."

TilE EAS;.I' EXPEDITION TN-SE-41XL! OF

SIR JOFIE FRANICLIE

The following is a copy of a letter from Chief
Factor James Anderson to Sir George Simpson
Governor-in-Chief of Rupert's Land, dated. Fort
Resolution, September 17, 18554
" Fort Resolution, Sept. 17, 1855.
" Sir,--I beg to state for your information that the
expedition you were pleased to intrust, to my command
returned here last night.
" After having descended Back's Great Fish River,
and explored the mainland and islands as tar a 3 Ma
conochie's Island, undoubtsd traces of the missing
party were found at Montreal Islands, but I regret
to say that neither the remains of our unfortu-
nate countrymen, nor any persons were discovered.
My previous despatches would have informed you
that I arrived at Fort Resolution late on the 20th
of June. The three canoes built under the super-
intendence of Messrs. Stewart and Ross were all ready ;
they were of au excellent model, the wood-work very
strong, but the bark, though the best that could be
prooured at so short a notice, was very inferior. They
were, of coarse, very heavy, their ladings amounted to
24 pieces of 90Ib. each, and consisted chiefly of provi-
sions, with a good supply of ironworks, &c., for the
Esqnimaux, ammunition, nets, Halkett boat, and the
luggage of the party, Double sets of poles, paddles,
and lines were also provided. Fifteen men and an In-
dian guide to Sussex Lake composed the crews ; but I
found we were too weakly manned, and added three
yellow-knife Indians who wished to go to their lands.
The only thing wanting was an Esquimaux interpreter.
"Late on the evening of the 22d of June the expedi-
tion made a move to an island about a mile from the
Fort. Heavy gales from the north-east detained us be-
tween there and Rocky Point, where the traverse is
taken till the 27th ; these, however, cleared our road of
ice. On the 28th we encamped at the upper end of Tal-
thel-leh Strait ; we then fell in with the ice, it was about
two feet thick. We ware employed till the morning of
the 2d of July in making our way through it, by cut-
ting, pushing the pieces apart, and making portages over
the points of land ; young ice formed every night, and
the further we advanced the sounder it got ; the canoes,
too, unavoidably, received some injury.
"At that date we reached the place called ' the
Mountain' in Back's map, and mentioned in his narra•
tive, as being a route to the barren grounds, but only
practicable for small Indian canoes. The guide en-
gaged by Mr. Stewart was unacquainted with this route;
he proposed taking us by a river falling into Great Slave
Lake on the eastern shore, nearly opposite to Fort
Reliance. By means of this river, some lakes, and ten
portages, he intended to round the head of Great Slave
Lake and fall eventuallyat the Beaver-lodge in Artillery
Lake.
" Hoar-frost River, which Sir Geo. Back ascended
with difficulty in a half-sized light canoe in the autumn,
would have been at this season impracticable. To get
through the ice to either of these rivers would have
occupied a long time, and then Artillery, Clinton,
Colden, and Aylmer Lakes were still before us ; it was
clear that, if some other route were not adopted, the
expedition would fail. Here was our only chance. One
of the Indians had passed by this route as far as the
river, falling into the upper end of Aylmer Lake ; he
gave a disheartening description of the difficulties to be
surmounted, and the high range of mountains before me
was anything but encouraging. I, however, determined
on making the attempt as the route was so much shorter,
and we might also expect to have a long stretch of open
water on Lake Aylmer at the mouth of the river.
" Immediately after breakfast the portage was begun,
and, though 4 trips were made before we encamped, the
canoes and landings were carried over 31 miles of moun-
tains across a small lake. At 10.30 p.m. our fine fellows
were descending a steep mountain with the canoes, sing-
ing `La Violette.' The next day's work was something
similar ; the third was a little better, after which the
mountains subsided to gentle hills, and the lakes were
larger, some of them from 20 to 40 miles in length. In
short, after passing through 24 lakes, and 25 portages,
we reached the river falling int ) Lake Aylmer (which I
have called Outran] river after a gallant relative) late on
the 7th of July. Two easy rapids and about 12 miles
of river brought us to Lake Aylmer.
" I had now to trust to my own guidance. As I had
anticipated, we found the lake at its mouth free from
ice, and had fine paddling for about 30 miles. When we
fell in with the ice, the whole lake appeared solid and
unbroken ; the ice was about three feet thick and per-
tectly sound.
" The north side of the lake which we followed is in-
dented with deep bays, separated from each other by
narrow necks of land ; round these and close to the
shore we had to work our way by cutting, poling, and
numerous portages amiss points, with occasional pieces
of open water at the bottom of the bays. There were
also some crevasses through which we passed at a great
risk of being nipped • we had several hair-breadth
escapes ; indeed one of the canoes was once only saved
by pushing poles under her bottom and allowing her to
be lifted on the ice. We finally arrived, with our canoes
much injured, at Sandhill Bay on the 11th of Juiy.
" We had now the advantage of Sir G. Back's map
and narrative ; the former the one attached to his back,
was on far too small a scale for our purpose, but the
latter was of great service.
"It is needless for me to describe the descent of this
dangerous river after the minute and correct description
of our gallant predecessor; notwithstanding the exqui-
site skill of our Iroquois Boutes, the canoes were re-
peatedly broken and much strained in the whirlpools
and eddies. The river to the small lake falling into
Niust•Ox Lake was nearly dry, and the portage work
was most severe.
"On the 13th of July Musk-Ox Rapid was reached ;
here we found a few Yellow-knife Indians.
" Our four Indians and one man was left hero ; the
latter with one of the Indians was to return to Great
Slave Lake to join Mr. Lockhart, and the expedition ,
now consisted of the following persons :
"James Anderson, first command ; J. G. Stewart,
second command ; B. Assiniyunton, Ignace Montour,
and Joseph Anarize, Iroquois boutes ; Thomas Mistea-
gun and Paulette Papanakies, Muskegon steersmen ;
John Fidler, half-breed steersman ; Henry Fidler, Ed-
ward Kipling, George Daniel, and Donald M`Leod,
half breed midman ; Jerry Johnston, Muskegon midman;
Joseph Boucher, Canadian midman ; Murdo M`Lellan,
highlander midman ; and William Reid, Orkneyman
midman.

"On the 15th, the worst canoe, which was completely
worn out, was left, and we now proceeded with heavier
ladings, but better crews. On-the 20th the first Esqui-
.naurc were seen at the mouth of and below Mackinley's
River. There were five lodges, and we visited two of
them We here found the want of an interpreter. We

`,lad two of Dr. Rae's men, who understood -a
few words
And phrases, and with the 'aid of signs they made us
understand that they came down Mackinley's River.
They were not much alarmed, and we soon got exce►-
lent friends.
" They had evidentlysien whites, or had communica-
tion with others of their countrymen (rao,t probably
those who resort to Churchill), who had intercourse

with thew, as they possessed a few of our daggers, beads,
files, and tin kettles ; and one old man brought do Nn
some wolf skins to barter. They were clothed entirely
in, deer and musk-ox skins. Their canoes were made of
leer parchment, and not a piece of sealskin was seen
among them.
"Another small party was seen at the rapid between
Lakes Pelly and Garry. Thu men appeared to be all ab-
sent, and the women and children fled on seeing us.
Some small presents were left in the lodges to show our
kindly intentions.
"In Lake Garry we had to work throu‘h about 15
miles of ice ; but, although ice was observed in sauce of
the other lakes, we met with no further obstruction
from this cause.
" On the 30th, at the rapids below Lake Franklin

three Esquimaux lodges were seen on the opposite shore,
and shortly after an elderly man crossed to us. After
the portage was made we crossed over, and immediately
perceived various articles belonging to a boat, such as

tent-poles and kayak paddles made out of ash oars,
pieces of mahogany, elm, oak, and pine ; also copper and
sheet-iron boilers, tin siup tureens, pieces of instruments,
a letter nip with the date 1843, a broken handsaw, chi-
sels, &c. Only one man was at the lodges, but the wo-
men, who were very intelligent, made us understand by
words and signs, that these articles came from a boat,
ar.d the white men belonging is it had died of starvation.
" We, of course, by showing them books and written
papers, endeavoured to ascertain if they possessed any
papers, offering to give them plenty of the goods we had
with us for them ; but,
.though they evidently under-
stood us, they said they had none. They did not scru-
ple to show us all their hidden treasures. Besides the
man, there were three women and eight children. The
remainder of the party, two men and three lads, were
seen towards evening.

" Point Beaufort was reached on the 31st. We were
detained there the next day till half-past two p.m., by
a S.W. gale. We then took the tra►erse to Montreal
Island. To seaward the ice appeared perfectly firm and
unbroken.

"When about three miles from the island, a large
stream of ice was observed Coning at a great rate before
the wind and tide out of Elliott's Bay and the other
deep hays to the westward. Every sine er was strained
to reach the land ; but we were soon surrounded by the
ice, and for some time were in most imminent danger.
The ice from six to seven feet thick, perfectly sound,
and drifting at the rate of five or six miles an hour. In
15 minutes after we had passed the whole channel to
Point Beaufort was choked with ice. Had we not suc-
ceeded in crossing on this day we should have been de-
tained on the eastern shore till the 10th.
" We had thus arrived at the first spot indicated by
my instructions on precisely the same day as our gallant
predecessor, Sir P. Back.
"The next two days were devoted by the entire party
to the examination of the island, and the small islands
in its vicinity. On a high ridge of rocks at the south.
east point of the island a number of Esquimanx caches
were found, and besides seal oil, various articles were
found belonging to a boat or ship ; such as chain, hooks,
chisels, blacksmith's shovel and cold chisel, tin oval
boiler, a bar of unwrought iron about three feet.long,
one and a-half inch broad, and a quarter of an inch thick;
bunting, and a number of sticks
strungsmall piecestoge of rope,ther,onne of which was cut Mr. Stanley'
(surgeon of Erebus.) A little lower,down was a large
quantity of chips, shavings, and ends of plank of pine,
and mahogany, evidently sawed by Un-
elm, ash, oak,
skilful hands ; every chip was turned over, and.on one
of them was found the word Terror' carved. It was
evident that this was the spot where the boat wis cut
up by the Esquimaux. Not even a scrap of paper could
be discovered, and though rewards were offered, and the
most minute search made over the whole island, not a
vestige of the remains of our unfortunate countrymen
could be discovered.

"On the sth we succeeded in crossing over to the

ee;tern mainland, opposite to Montreal Island, and the
whole party was employed in reeking a most minute search
is fir as the point of Elliott's Bay, and also to the north-
card. As the whole inlet was full of ice which had not
vet moved, but was split into immense fields by the ris-
rig and falling of the tide, we could only proc,ed close
shore at high tile, when by pushing small bleeke
apart, finding pieces of open water at the bottom of toe
,aye, and navigating through cliannele of water on the
ice, we reached Point Pechel Lake on the 6th.
"The whole coast between Montreal Island and Point
Pechel was searched by a land party, always accompa-
nied by Mr. Stewart or myself. Many very old Esqui-
rnaux encampments were seen, but not a trace of the
party.
" By this time our canoes had received so much da-
mage, and were so weak and leaky, that it was evident
the safety of the party would be hazarded were they sub-
jected to more rough usage. The ice, too, here was
forced on the shore, and there was no prospect of our
being able to get through it ; I therefore determined to
complete the search of the peninsula on foot.
" Early on the 7th the entire party, with the exception
of two of the Iroquois, who were left to repair the canoes,
started in light marching trim, taking the Halkett boat
with us. Five men followed all the sinuosities of the
coast, while the others were spread at equal distances
inland, Mr. Stewart and myself taking the middle epace.
Shortly after leaving the encampment a river was forded;
this must be a large stream at a high stage of water. It
was called Lemisieurier River, after a relative of Mr.
Stewart's. No fuel was found in our encampments, and
in two hours we left all signs of vegetation behind. The
remainder of the peninsula is composed of high sandhills
intersected by deep valleys, evidently overflowed at
spring tides and during gales.
"We encamped late opposite Maconochie's Island,
and the only vestige of the missing party found was a
small piece of cod-line, and a strip of striped cotton about
two inches long and an inch broad. These were found
at Point Ogle, in an Esquimau' encampment of perhaps
three or four years of age.
"Next morning a piece of open water enabled us to
launch the Halket boat, and explore Maconochie's Island,
but nothing was found. It was impossible to cross over
to Point Richardson, as I wished, the ice driving through
the strait between it and Maconochie's Island at a fear-
ful rate. About three o'clock in the afternoon we began
to retrace our steps through a tremendous storm of wind
and rain. The last of the party did not reach the en-
campment till past 10 o'clock at night, and, as there was
no fuel, we were obliged to creep under our blankets,
thoroughly wet, and with no other supper but a piece of
cold and rather ancient pemmiAn. It was now evident
that all that could be done with our means had been
done, and that, with our frail craft, any delay in re-
turning would compromise the safety of the whole party.
It may be thought strange that the remains of so large
a party could not be discovered. It is my opinion that
a party in a starving condition would have chosen a low
spot, where they could haul up their boat and have had
some shelter, and that, if they perished there, their bones
have been long since covered by sand or gravel forced up
by the ice. Any books or papers left open would be de-
stroyed by the perpetual winds and rain in this quarter
in a very short space of time ; for instance a large hook,
" Raper 'a Navigation," was left open on a cloak at Mon-
treal Island ; it was blown open, and the leaves were
pattering about in such a way thnt had it not been in
stantiv closed it would soon have been torn in pieces.
"No party could winter on this coast. In the first
place there is not enough fuel ; and, secondly, no deer
pass. About 100 deer, mostly bucks, were seen on Ade-
laide Peninsula on our way to Point Ogle, hu' not one
on our way back. Their tracks were all seen going to the
south. On the eastern coast only 5 deer were seen. It
would also be a matter of immense difficulty to get suffi-
cient supplies down Fish River for even a small party.
" On the 10th of August a shift of wind enabled us to
il cross over to Point Beaufort without injury, an a gale
breught us to Point Backhouso at half-past 10 p.m.
"The Esquimau' were still at the rapids of Lake
Franklin. Another attempt was made to see if they pos-
sessed papers of any description ; the contents of our
trading cases were offered for any. They showed us all
their caches, but nothing of interest was discovered.
"The fishery of fresh water berring and trout appeared
to be over, as those we saw hanging to dry on our way
down were all stowed away securely in caches, and the
party were on the eve of departure to hunt deer.

" Handsome presents were made to them, for which
we got boots for most of the men. The Upper Esquimaux
were also seen and treated in a similar manner.
" The weather during the whole trip up was dreadful,
blowing continually with rain, snow, and hail, and it
froze sharply below and above Lake Beechy. Our canoes
also were very frail and leaky. There was still less water
in the upper part of the river than on our way down.
From the lake above Musk Oz Lake to Lake Aylmer
was almost one contnuous portage. That lake was
reached early on the 31st of August.
" Our progress through the lakes was much retarded
by strong headwinds and fogs. Some time was also lost
in finding the very narrow and hidden outlets of Lake
Aylmer and Clinton Colden ; at the latter I was disap-
pointed at not finding Indians.

" Early on the 9th we reached a bay at the end of
Artillery Lake, on the east shore, near the head of the
Aheldessy. It was impossible to descend that river, and
we were employed the remainder of the day in discover-
ing an Indian road to Great Slave Lake through a series
of small lakes and a small river. After passing through
eight small lakes, and making as many portages, we
reached the river, and soon after got sight of Slave Lake.
A. portage of five miles was made with the pieces ; the
canoes were partly brought down by water. Mr. Stewart
and I reached old Fort Reliance, where the new
establishment was also erected, about 3 p.m. of the 11th,
and the canoes arrived at 10 the next morning.
"As there was no prospect of discovering anything
more from this quarter, I conceived that I was not jus-
tified in incurring further expense or risk, and according
to your instructions, determined on sending out the peo-
ple this fall.
"Mr. Lockhart had left the day previous to my ar-
rival with two small boats, which, with their ladings,
were to have been put ea cache at =unsex Lake, in the
event of the expedition having been continued another
season. I sent off two men immediately to recall him.
Mr. Stewart remained to pack up everything at the
fort, while I left on the 12th at 2 p.m. to stop the boat
coming from Resolution with supplies.
" No privation was sustained by the party for want
of provisions. We brought three pemmican back. Sir
G. Back saw immense numbers of deer and musk oxen
on his way down. We only saw a few scattered deer
with their fawns, the bucks having all passed to the
north, and a few heads of musk oxen. On our way down
no time was lost in hunting these, as we got as many
Canada geese as we wished by running them down ; they
were moulting, end were all ganders. On our way up
many tracks were peen going south, but no deer until
we arrived at M'Elougall's Lake, and then only a few
does. At the head of the river, and in Lake Aylmer
and Clinton Colden. they were pretty numerous, and
among them many bucks in fine condition. The follow-
ing is our game list :-289 geese, 25 deer, 1 musk ox.
"The conduct of the men was beyond all praise ; they
sustained hardships and risks of no ordinary description,
not only with cheerfulness, but with gaiety. The wea-
ther on the voyage up was very severe. Not a day
passed without rain, sleet, and hail falling between
Point Backhnuse and Musk Ox Lake, after which we
had occasional fine days. None of the party were pro-
vided with waterproof clothes or bags ; the canoes also
were very leaky. Still not a murmur was heard, though
their groans at night evinced that they suffered from
pains in their limbs.

"Trusting that my proceedings will be approved by
her Majesty's Government and the Hon. Company,
"I have the honour to he your obedient servant,
"JAMES ANDERSON, C.F.,
" Commanding Arctic Searching Expedition.
" To Sir George Simpson, Governor-in-Chief,
Rupert's Land.

" Sept 21.

"P.S.—Aressrs. Stewart and Lookhart, with the re-
mainder of the party, arrived here on the 20th inst., and
will leave to-morrow morning. They will, I trust, reach
Isle a la Crosse by open water.