Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-05-18
The irtiC Expedition,

we nave IL IN our power 10 announce mat
active measures are in progress 10 induce
Parliament to offer a reward commensurate
with the wealth and importance of this great
ceuniry, for the relief or discovery Of Sir
John Franklin and his companions.
In doing this, England will only follow
the example of other nations the govern
ments Of which have offered rewards, cpon
to all the world, for the succor of scientific
exploring expeditions. We may in %pariicu-
lar mention the case of La Lilloise-alrpady
repoit,d in this journal IN. 1861 which
was sent on a voyage Of discovery 10 the
coast Of Grrenland-and for the relief of
which, after an absence of only three years,
a reward was offered by the French govern
mpnt.
In the month Of May next, the Attic expe-
ditiOn will have been absent four years; and
it is important to bear in mind, as we have
already said, that unless relieved this year,
fu ture exerlions will, in all human probabili-
ty, be of no avail. For, with every possible
care and contTivance, the provisions cannot
be made to last longer than the close of the
present summers; and we have authority for
saying that no dependence is 10 be placed on
the very few Attic animals which are 10 be
70, nd in high attitudes, for a supply of food.
The expedition under Ross and Richard
son, anu lIldl uIutI htllell anu .NlbbIts mo
well calculated 10 achieve their object, are
yet, from physical causes. so inadequate to
the Artic seas, that'unless other ships under
take the search, many hundreds Of miles of
sea coast must be left unvisited. The great
est length of time during which the Artic
Ocean is sufficiently open for the navigation
of heavy ships, is six weeks-a period so
hrief as only 10 permit a very small tract 10
be explored. Till every inch of coast has
been searched, it cannot be said that all has
been done for the relief of our gallant coun-
trymcn which might.
1t is manifest, therefore, that in order to
make the Arctic summer thoroughly %availa-
BILE, the number Of exploring ships must be
multiplied. This. it is presumed, can be
best affected by offering a very large reward.
1t may not be generally known that the L.
States possess a fleet Of upwards of six hun
bred whalers, whilst ours has dwindled
down to about a score. The former are COM
manded by experienced men-ardent and
adventurous as a proof of which, we may
mention that one commander sailed his ship,
last year, through Behring's Straits, as far as
lev Cape, in search of whales.
Not to speak Of other maritime countries,
the simple fact adduced of the large whaling
fleet possessed by the United States, is sufi-
Z u a w nv VI q lhiRt lC"dIh VI
great moment: for it is not unreasonable 10
assume that many of these vessels will be
directed to The Arctic seas, and it is worthy
Of note that the safety of each vessel will be
increased by increasing their numbers. Tho
deslrableness Of offering a naliOnal. reward
might be argued even on economical grounds;
for Should 1t be the means of finding the lost
expedition, the expense, which is most heavy,
of keeping out the present searching eXpedi-
ton another summer, will be avoided.
We might yet strengthen the argument in
favor Of this reward, by abiding TO the pro-
bable geographical discoveries which the eX-
ploration of several ships in the Arctic sea
would probably develope; but we take the
nobler and more imperative ground of hui
manly. We take this opportunity 10 record
that Baron Brunow, the excellent representa-
tive Of the Russian government in this
country, is so deeply interested in the fate of
the Arctic expedition, that he has prayed his
government to send out exploring boat par
ties from the Asiatic side of Behring's Straits;
which proposal will be carried into execution
this summer.-Lon. .4hen.
The Board of Admiralty has offered a re-
ward of 100000 sterling 10 any ship or ships
which shall render efficient aid to the missing
ships or crews. The wife of Sir John Frank.
lin has appealed directly TO the President Of
the United States, asking the cooperation oil
this government, and especially the assistance
OF the large whaling fleet which this country
sends to the Pacific. The President, in re.
ply, assures her of his sympathy, and promi-
ses TO invoke the aid Of all American navi.
gators in behalf of the missing vessels, and
ally can.