The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-11-04

near Cape Rennell % possible From that position
q considerable extent of coast, say the instructions,
may be explored on foot and In the following
spring S49) detached parties are to be sent across
the Ice by Capt Bird, In order to look thoroughly
into the creeks along the western coast of Boothla,
and even as far as Cape Ncolal." So soon al the
summer should have opened passage between
the land and the main body of ice, the steam
launches are ordered to be sent into Lancaster
Sound to meet the whalers. We have here
something tangible to deal with. The instruc-
tons which we have quoted were prepared by
board of eminent Arctic officers; and we find
that a Journey from Cape Rennell to Cape Nico.
lsi, following the indentatlons of the coast, In
the spring OF this year, Is considered as perfectly
practicable. We say nothing about the return
journey; but we presume that the boats would not
winter apart from the ships. Now, If Sir James
Ross, according to the report, passed the winter OF
lS4S at Pon Jackson, Regents Inlet, and was
aware las the Esqulmaux say he was) of Frank
Inns safety, It does appear extraordinary that par
ties were not despatched by him across the ice, in
the present spring or summer, to communicate
with the W halers--which, be it observed, he is
dered to do. The distance between the two
points is very much less than that from Cape Rem
nell to Cape Nicolal. Mr. Goodsr, on more than
one occasion, expresses his establishment that "no
word has come down from Sir James Ross" as he
declares that the officers of the expedition were
perfectly aware that the whalers would be in
Ponds Bay, during the entire month of July. In
fact, to repeat ourselves, surprising Sir j. Ross to
be where the report places hun, the road to the
whalers was open TO him as to the Esqumaux
who brought that report. That he should have
made no communication by his own messengers,
nor given any document to authenticate the COM
municntlon made by the Esqulmaux throws, in
opinion, very serious dlscredt on the report IT.
self Finally, il is yet more difficult to conceive
that, If Sir John Franklin had been frozen up for
three winters the spot Indicated, he should have
spared no volunteers from his expedition, TO carry
the OF his whereabouts to any station through
which it might have reached those whom his
deli In into
despair, at home.
This is so melancholy view of the case, that
we glad TO find, and 20 report, that an opposite
one is ene tanned by those VIII may be considered
the great Arctic authorities. We have caused in
quiies TO be made, and such Is the result Sir
George Back, who has had great intercourse with
the native Esqumaux. declares 'that he never knew
an Indian or an Esqsmaux tracing to tail; and after
deliberately weighing all the information, he is of
opinion that four ships, answering to those CON-
posting the two expeditions, were seen some time
in the spring OF this year by the Esquimaux; but
whether in Prince Regents Inlet or to the west
ward of Boothla, Is uncertain" Captain Parry,
Colonel Sabine, and Admiral Beaufort are ali in
favor Of the truth of the Esquimaux report.
We are sorry to hear, from unquestionabe au-
thorithy, that the nuniticent reward offered by
government for the relet OF the missing expedition
has had Effect in instgating any OF the whalers
TO search for the ships, with the exception OF the
Trueove and the Advice. Sent out for the one
important object Of whaling, the captains, doubt
less feel that unless armed with the fullest DIS
cre,ionary powers from their employers, the owners
OF tn. ships, they would not be warranted in run
ming any risk by deviating from their course In
pursuit Of whales.
The dangers of the Arctic seas have been again
brought painfully before us by the loss of two
whalers this year in Melville Bay, and all accounts
agree in stating that Lancaster Sound was barred
in the month of August by a solid body of ice
stretching across IKE straits to Admiralty Inlet.
Thus, in consequence of her ateness OF sailing,
il is very doubtful whether the North Star, the
ship sent out this year with provisions for the ex
petitions, has effected communication with the
ships. Mr.. Goodsr says" There a hundred
chances against the North Star being able to com
nunlcate with the expeditions this year. Had
she only been sent out in time, she would have
got through Melville Bay along the fleet of whalers
with the greatest ease and safety up the Sound
early in July"
We may mention that Mr.. Goodsr's last letter
bears the date of August I'D, at which time he
was in latitude Us 80, far too much to the south
to CLEAN any intelligence respecting the expedi-
tons.