Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-07-17
WDho XXXl1
GAZETTE,


". Besshey, r. ". Carey s. Lea, Philadelphia.
Travels and voyages, of all kinds of writings,
seem 10 be the only ones which never go out OF
fashion They are among the first books which
give an appetite for reading in childhood. and the
last which keep alive the love OF reading in old
age The philosopher examines them for the
study Of nature; the statesman for that OF man;
the poet for material for his muse; and the mer-
chant for market for his goods; while such dis
interested people as the reader and ourselves,
seek only to amuse a vacant hour in their peru
SAL The expedition of Captain Beechey TO
Behring'S Strait, it will be recollected, was IN
stituted for the purpose Of cooperating with CAP
tain Franklin. in his land expedition to the Arc
tic for the purpose of discovering northwest
passage to the Pacific. The two exploring par
tues were at one time within fifty leagues Of each
other; and il is painful to think, that had either
party pushed their progress for three days longer.
the grand problem Of a northwest passage would
have been completely solved. They did. how
ever, all that could be expected Of men, and the
liberality and enterprise Of the British Govern
ment were we'll bestowed upon expeditions con-
Quoted by men of such energy of character as
franklin and his coadjutors. The final result of
their operations may be summed up in the follow
Ing extracts from the work before US:
The enterprising voyage Of Captain Franklin
down the Mackenzie, and along the northern
shores Of the continent Of America, is now famili-
ar to us all: and. considering that the distance
between the extremites of our discoveries was
less than Fifty leagues, and that, giving him ten
days to perform ii in, he would have arrived at
Point Barrow at the precise period with our
boat, we must ever regret that he could not have
been made acquainted with our advanced situa-
ton, as IN that case he would have been justified
IN mourning risk which would have been I'M
warrantable uader any other circumstances
The extent Of land thus left unexplored be-
tween Point Turnasain and Icy Cape. is compa-
ratively so Insignificant that, as regards the ques
ton OF the north west passage, it may be consi-
dered to be known; and in this point of view
both expeditions, though they did not meet, may
be said to have been fully successful. From the
nature and similarity OF the coast al Return Rec!
and Point Barrow, it Is very probable that the
land from franklin Extreme tends gradually
to the eastward to Return Reef, leaving Point
Barrow in latitude II deg. sS min. so sec. y.
the northern limit of the continent OF America.
The determination of this great geographical
question is undoubtedly important: but though 1t
sets boundary to the new continent. and so Tar
diminishes the difficulties attending an attempt 70
effect passage from the Pacific to the Atlantic,
yet It leaves the practcability OF the North west
Passage nearly as doubtful as ever: and il is evil
dent that it cannot be otherwise, until the OBJ
,,C toll p,r
removed, as it would avail lutte 10 be able to
reach Hecla and Fury Strait, provided that chan
mel were always impossible.
From what has been set forth, in the foregoing
narrative of our proceedings. il is nearly certain
that by watching the opportunities vessel may
reach Point Barrow, an in al! probability pro-
ceed beyond it. Had we been permitted to
make this attempt, we should no doubt be able to
speak more positively upon the subject; and, as
| have always been of opinion that navigation
may be performed along any coast OF the Polar
Sea that is continuous, can see no insurmount-
able obstacle to the exploit. In this attempt,
however, it is evident that vessel must be pre-
pared to encounter very heavy pressure from the
ice. and must expect. on the ice closing the coast
10 the westward Of Point Barrow, which it un-
pcesuonably would with very strong westerly
wind, to be driven on shore in the manner in
which our boat was in 1896.
AS regards the question whether it be advisa-
bic to attempt the passage from the Atlantic to
the Pacific by an eastern or a western route,
Capt. Beechy seems in favor of the latter. aud
gives opinion that could steam vessels, properly
fitted and adapted to the service, arrive in good
condition in Ko,zbue Sound by the beginning Of
one summer, they might succeed in reaching the
western shore Of Melville Peninsula in the next.
There, however, he thinks they would be stop
ped, aud have to encounter difficulties which
have repused three Of the most persevering at
tempts ever made toward the accomplishment Of
similar object. f
Not the least Interesting part OF Capt. Beech
ey's Narrative. is his account Of visit to Cali
fOrnia and cruise among the islands of the Pa
sihc. A few pages are devoted to Pitcairn's
Island, and the description, like all others o
that nook Of the world aud its singular little com
munity, has tinge of poetry IN it. We extract