Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-06-23

reached Fort Confidence at dusk on the
oath. The fisheries had failed sooner,
than ever, and we had good reason to con-
graduate ourselves on not being doomed TO
pass third winter within the Arctic Cir
Gle.
After settling with The Indians, literally
rewarding the most deserving, and supply
ing all with ammunition gratuiously, we
took our departure on the evening OF the
Goth, in two inland batteaux; one belonged
to the expedition: the other came from Fort
Simpson sixteen days before our arrival.
Our passage Of Great Bear Lake was
most boserous and incement. In cross
ing the body Of the lake, and other consi-
derabe traverses, our boats with every
thing in them, and even the very clothes on
our backs became converted into shapeless
masses and connections Office. TWAS high
time for us to escape from great Bear lake,
for the temperature which was deg. be-
low zero, when we landed at the head Of the
river, on the evening of the 4th of October,
fell 10 deg. lower in the course of the night,
and the next day we descended the rapid
stream in the very midst Of the diving ce
On entering the Mackenzie, we experlen-
ced a temporary mitigation ofthe excessive
cold; but we should most assuredly have
stuck fast above Fort Norman, had not the
Northern gales again rose in such strength
and while they shattered and dispersed the
radidly forming ice, enabled us TO stem the
current under close reefed sails At noon,
on the 14th OF October, after forcing our
way, with no small risk, through the tor
rent Of ice forced out by the rivers of the
mountains, we reached this place, Fort
Simpson, and were cordially welcomed bv
our valuable friend, Chief raider McPher-
son, who had for some time given up all
hopes of our arrival.
Mos; of our people are still afflicted with
acute pains and swelIngs in the limbs,
caused by cold and exposure; and we are
assured by Mr., MCPHERSON that he has ne
yer known or heard Of so early and rigo-
rous commencement of winter in Macken-
zie's iiYer. On the other hand, so fine a
spring as that Of 1880, seldom visits these
frozen regions; and TO this fayoring circum-
stance, under providence, ought our signal
success 10 be PATTY ascribed.
October 30-The state ofthe ice at length
enables us to dispatch couriers to slave
lake. Ia he mean time Gov. Simpson
highly valued letter to the 18th Of June,
which unfortunately missed Us on our way
hither, has cast up over land. We rejoice
in having anticipated the Russian cXpcdi.
ton, and secured to our country and the
company, the indisputable honor of disco
vcrlng the northwest passage, which has
been an object Of search to maratimc ma
tons for three centuries When our OK
petition was planned at the Norway House,
in 1896. it was confidently expected thai
Sir George Back would have achieved the
survey Of the Gulf of Boothia with the
Tcrror's boats, and that our meeting at the
mouth Of the Great Fish River would have
left no blank in the geography Of northern
America. That officers failure, the OK,
haustion Of our men and means, and the
necessity Of new wintering ground, rem
der fresh expedition indispensable for the
examination Of the SuIf Of Bootbia, thc
circuit of which to the Strait of the Fury
and HecIa, according to the Esquimau>
accounts, cannot be less than 400 or SOC
miles. 1t only remains for us to recon-.
mend TO your appreciation the plan propo
scd by Mr.. Simpson TO perfect this inter
esting service; which, as he had no wish tc
avail himself Of absence granted he is pre-
pared to follow up whenever the limited
means required arc placed at his disposal
We have the honor to be your most ODE
dent humble servants.
PETER w. DEASE,
THOMAS SIMPSON.
To the Governor, Deputy-Governor, and
Committee Of the Hudson's Bay Co.,
London.