The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-08-11
The following extraordinary relation is con
tanned IN the ST. Louis Bulletin of the Oath ult.
NORTHERN PASSAGE


NORTHERN PASSAGE.
LAAIENTABLE SUICIDE OF ONE OF THE DISCOVERIES
/. II will be seen by reference 10 the British pa
pers, that the North passage, 50 long sought
after by adventurous navigators, has at length
been discovered by two young men belonging
to the Hudson Bay Company. Ii is not our in
tentlon TO enter into detailed report of the
memorable voyage, but merely 10 mention the
melancholy fate Of one Of the discoveries.
IL appears that ON their return to Y orls Fac
tory--the principal depot of the Hudson's Bay
Company-that they both set out for England
eager TO grasp the rich reward which the British
government never fails to lavish upon all her
citizens who contribute anything towards ex
tending her widespread domains or TO perpetu-
ating her well earned fame. On the arrival Of
the two young men at Lake Winnepick they
disagreed about the route which should be pur-
sued, and there separated Mr.. Simpson, ac-
companied by Mr.. Bird, Mr. Legros, and TWEEN
ty or thirty of the coonsts, struck across for ST.
Peters, intending to push on TO New y ork, via
of the Lakes, and from thence sail for Liver
pool. Mr. Dace, his compeer, with another
party, set out for the Canadas
About the Goth of June Mr.. Simpson and his
party had reached Turtle river, where they en-
camped for the night He had, from the begin
ming of the journey, exhibited occasional symp-
toms of mental hallucination, caused as the
party supposed, by the dread of being outstripped
by his competitor in their long race for London
On the evening above mentioned, he had con
tinued to push on until late hour at night,
and even then his feversh state of excitement
deprived him of nourishment or rest
When they stopped, and while in the act of
camping, Mr. Simpson turned suddenly round,
and shot Mr. Bird through the heart and before
the astounded party could fly from the presence
of the mailman, he discharged the other barrel,
md all,u ad I II
the party had separated; and when he com
mtted the murder on his companions, there
were only two more present--one of them a son
of Legros-who immediately fled short dis
lance. The dying father earnestly mpored
Simpson to permit his son to return and en-
brace him before he should die-whch he agreed
to, and beckened them back, saying there was
nothing TO fear
On their return, Simpson accused Legros of
consplrlng with Bird, and asked him whether il
was not their intention to'assassnate him that
night the dying man said il was, but on being
Intercepted second time, he denied having
any intention or design Of such deed, and
shortly after he expired. Simpson then ordered
the two men to bride their horses, and prepare
TO return with him to the settlement, but no
sooner were they mounted, than they dashed off
in quest of the main body and overlook them Is
miles ahead
They all returned in the morning, and when
they had reached within 200 yards of the camp,
they got glimpse of Simpson at the door of his
tent, and Immediately afterwards heard a report
of gun supposing that he was determined to
carry out the work of destruction which he had
began, they attempted to intimidate him by
firing three volleys in the direction of the camp,
and then approached it cautiously. When they
came up, they found their commander wetering
in his blood, and on closer examination found
that he had literally blown his head TO pieces!
"Far in the wild, unknown to public view,"
were the three bodies committed to the same
grave by their companions, who then pursued
their route with feelings more easily conceived
than described.
The party arrived at st. Peters about the first
of July, in possession of the important papers,
and other property belonging to the Inflated
Simpson.
The particulars we learn from Mr.. VIM. A.
Aitkin, trader from Lake Superior. Mr.. Ait
kin further states that the whole matter is in
volved in mystery, which time only can clearup,
The unfortunate Simpson was native Of
Scotland, and a nephew of the present Governor
of the Fl. B. Co. He was about twenty eight
years of age possessed of fine talents--an anna
bic dsposition-and the universal esteem Of