The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-05-07

THE EXPEDITION OF SIR JOHN FRANK
LIN. The utmost efforts Of the British Govern
meut to unravel the mystery that hangs over the
Expedition OF Sir John Franklin, had, up to the
last accounts from England, produced no definite
results The history OF this enterprise is doubt
less familiar to our readers. The object was the
discovery OF north west passage TO the Pacific,
and Sir John Frank n, in May, OF lS45, left Eng
land, under the auspices and patronage OF the
Government, with directions TO proceed at once
to Lancaster Sound, and to penetrate with as lit
tie delay as possible, through that and its contln-
uati9n, Barrow's Straits, until he should reach
the longitude of Cape Walker, about So west,
from which point every effort was to be made TO
penetrate in as direct possible tow
ards Behring's Straits. Two fine ships compos-
ed the expedtion-the Erebus and the Terror
and were manned by 1873 men.
Nothing has been heard from them since the
26th Of July, lS45 Not trace OF the expedi-
ton has since been found, although instructions
were given to Capt. Franklin, after passing lati-
tude 90, to throw overheard, once every day,
closely sealed bottle or copper cylinder, con-
tanning paper stating date, position, sc. The
expedition had provisions to last four years, and
1t is asserted that no dependence whatever is to
be placed on the very few Arctic animals which
are to be found in high lattudes for supply Of
food
the missing vessels by the British Government;
one under command of Sir James Ross of two
ships, determined to follow the track OF the Ere
bus and Terror by way OF Lancaster Sound;
another under com mand of Commander Moor 3,
which was to enter the Northern Ocean by way
OF Behring'S Straits, and explore the shores as
far to the eastward as the mouth OF M'Kenzie
river; and third boat expedition under COM
mand OF Sir John Richardson, that was to de-
scend M'Kenzle's River in boats, and prosecute
the search as far and thoroughly as possible,
to the eastward Of its mouth.
These expeditions left England in the summer
OF 1917, since which time we believe nothing
has been heard from any but the expedition OF
Commander Moore, one OF whose ships at
Panama some months ago from the NORTH and
has been sent from MaZatlan, in the Pacific, to
Behring's Straits, to join its consort, the Plover
AS yet this ship had made no discovery OF Sir
John Franklin.
Recent accounts from England state that as the
period expires during which the hope for the re-
covery of this gallant expedition, may be reason
ably entertained, a deeper interest is felt, and
more extensive exertions made. The Arctic
ocean is open in the summer but six weeks; and
to improve this short space oftme every expense
has been resorted to, and every expedient tried.
We have already seen that Lady Franklin, the
vile OF the fearless but missing navigator, has
offered large sums to induce individual enter
prizes, for the recovery OF her husband.
1t is urged also to offer TO the American whal-
ing ships, of which there SIX hundred, re-
wards for researches along the Arctic seas; and
we presume suggestion eminently practical
has promptly been acted upon by the British
Government Russia has taken deep interest
In the lost expedition, and boat parties will be
sent during the ensuing summer from the Asiat-
ic side OF Behring's Straits.
Let US tervently hope, therefore, that no long
period OF tune will elaPse before definite tidngs
Is obtained of this daring but Inflated enterprise
PhilQ. Penn