The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-05-24
From ths Morning Chronicle.
,u aur.r ARCTIC PROBLEM SOLVED.

The question which has been q geographical
rrabIem for upwards OF two centuries the northwest
ppassage around the continent OF America, = az
length determined, and we have the satisfaction %
law before our readers in another column, an aD-
siract Of the journals Of the intrepid discose.sIs
whose enterprise the object has been accomplished
and In the progress OF which they nave evinced
intelligence activity and haIanood n% wha have
preceded them in the arduous path Of Arcuc dis-
coyery.
Understanding narrative OF the gentlemen who con-
ducied this expedition, so honorable in the annals OF
British commercial enterprise we beg leave To point
out TO our scientific readers the interest belong
ing to the geographical, and we may almost say the
typographical, questions determined by the obser7a-
lions of Messrs. DeaSe and Simpson. The fact OF
the continent Of America being circumnavigated-
the determination of the latitude Of lis northern ex
emity, in the attempts 10 ascertain which so many
expeditions of different nations have been unsuccess
ful--the knowledge that the great mountain ridge
extending from Mageans Straits 10 The most north
ern part OF the American continent previously
known actually reaches the shores Of the Arctic Sea-
all these are highly interesting discoveries, and We
eve them as we do so many other valuable geo.
graphical discoveries, 10 commercial enterprise
We by no means disparage the efforts OF Govern
menfin the same honorable career, or the excellent
qualities and admirable conduct oil the gallant
officers who have, in our own times as well as In
former periods been employed in Arctic discovery;
but the facts are notorious. Hearne by whom the
Coppermine River and the Arctic Sea were FIRST
discovered was trader in the service OF the Hud-
sons Bay Company; Mackenzie, who first explored
the great river which still bears his name and who
first crossed the chain of the Rocky Mountains and
reached the shores OF the Pacific Ocean, was a
partner Of the North West Company, long the rivals
Of and now incorporated with, the Hudson's Bay
Company: whilst the browning enterprise present
ed To- our readers has been planned and carried into
effect by the Hudson's Bay Company as now consti-
tuted at their own charge; and We see with much
satisfaction that the same gallant party who have
been SO successful in the examination OF the coast
between the extreme discoveries Of Captains Frank.
lin and Beechey are now while we write, IN actnai
preparation for further survey OF the coast 10 con-
meet the eastern extent of Franklin's discovery,
Point Tnrnagain," with Backs Z Great Fish
River and Parry's Straits OF the Fnry and Hec-
Ia" or any other opening which may be found 10
communicate with Hudsons Bay
In referring our readers generally TO The narrative
which we have the satisfaction to lay before them,
we cannot help again abiding TO the simple, manly
and unassuming lone in which the details are given
Of difficulties and hardships scarcely conceivable by
those who have not seen something resembling Them
and the result appears TO prove that even in boats the
north west passage is impraclicable, since with all
the credit due and that can be given 10 Mr. Simpson
and his brave companions if they had not found the
Esquimaux and got their skin canoe, il Is evident
they never could have reached Cape Barrow: and
many other similar expeditions might set oui with
out one Of them obtaining the same success