The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-22
The Arctic Expedition.

[From the London Athenlrnum March 24l
We have 1t In our power to announce that active
measures are IN progress to induce Parliament to
offer reward commensurate with the wealth and
importance OF this great country, for the relief or
discovery of Sir John Franklin and his compa-
mons.
In doing this, England will only follow the ex-
ample of other nations; the governments of which
have offered rewards open to all the world, for the
succor OF scientific exploring expeditions. We may
In particular mention the case of La Li!loiseIal
ready reported IN this journal N. l,06l] which
was sent on voyage of discovery to the coast OF
Grcenand-and for the relief of which, after an alb
sence Of only three years, reward was offered by
the French government.
In the month of May next, the Arctic Expedition
will have been absent four years and 1t is impor-
tant to bear in mind, we have already said, that
unless relieved this year, future excrtlons will in all
human probability be Of no avail. For, with every
possible care and contrlvance, the provisions can
not be made to last longer than the close OF the
present summer and we have authority for saying
that no dependence is to be placed the very few
Arctic animals which are to be found in high lati
tudes, for supply of food
The expeditions under Ross and Richardson
and that under Kellett and Moore, though well cal
culaed to achieve their object, yet from physi-
cal causes so inadequate to the gigantic task of tho
roughly exploring the Arctic seas that unless other
ships undertake the search, many hundreds of miles
of sea coast must be left unysited. The greatest
length of time during which the Arctic Ocean il
sufficiently open for the navigation of heavy ships,
very small tract to 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-
tryman which might.
1t is manifest, therefore, that in order to make
the Arctic summer thoroughly available, the num-
Der Of exploring ships must be multiplied. This, it
is presumed, be best effected by offering very
large reward. IT may not be generally known that
the United States possess fleet of upwards of six
hundred whalers whilst ours has dwindled down
to about a score. The former are commanded by
experienced men-ardent and adventurous as a
proof OF which, we may mention that one comman-
der sailed his ship, last year, through Behring's
Straits, as far as Icy Cape, in search Of whales.
Not to speak of other maritime countries, the
simple fact adduced of the large whaling fleet pos
sessed by the United States, is sufficient to make
the offer of large reward of great moment: for it
is not unreasonable to assume that many of these
worthy of note that the safety of each vessel will DO
slrableness of offering national reward might be
argued even on economical grounds I; for should it
be the means of finding the lost expedition, the ex
pense, which is most heavy, of keeping out the
present searching expedition another summer, will
be avoided.
We might yet strengthen the argument in favor
of this reward, by abiding to the probable geogra-
phca discoveries which the exploration of several
ships in the Arctic would probably develope:
but we take the nobler and more imperative ground
of humanity. We take this opportunity to record
the Russian government in this country is so deep
ly interested in the fate of the Arctic expedition,
that he has prayed his government to send ont ex-
poring boat parties from the Asiatic side of Beli-
rings Straits which proposal will be carried into
execution this summer.