Washington telegraph., 1850-04-17
The AMERICAN ARCTIC Expr,r,ov

Ane eAPeoition 50 uoOiy conceived nv
Mr.. Henry Grinnell. of New York, for IL.
rescue of Sir John franklin and his bravs
men from horrible death, is going fo,
ward with energy. Two vessels have
been procured for the purpose. oae of 14a
tons, the other of 81 tons. and are ittine
up for the perilous enterprise, by such aS.
ditions to their strength and other appli.
ances for the safety and comfort Of off.
GERS and crew as the case admits or. I.
E. 1. DeHsven. who belonged to Caor
Wilkes's Antarctic expedition. has volup.
teered to take command of the presen,
one. and Passed Midshipman S. P. Crit.
fin is TO be second.
On this subject correspondent of the
N. Y. Commercial Advertiser writes ID
that paper as follows:
The same feeling which prompted the
reply of MIR. Clayton to Lady Franklin
awakened in individuals determination
to act, which has neither slumbered nor
slept till two beautiful brigs have been
purchased, and are now fitting up in the
stronges, possible manner, under the com.
mand of U. S. naval officers, who have
volunteered their services Oh the expedi
ton. In arranging for the departure OF
the expedition, 1t is found difficult to plaza
the crews of the two vessels, Lady Frank:
lin. Lieut.. Deaaven, and Rescue, Passed
Midshipmau Griffin, under such restraints
as will insure at all times perfect disci:
pline. unless they are shipped under the
regulations of the U. S. navy.
To secure perfect security under everv
contingency, memorial has been pre-.
sented to Congress. asking permission to
be given to the Secretary of the navy to
allow thirty volunteers from the naval
stations to join the U. S. officers ON board
the Arctic expedition.
The following extract from a letter
dated January 10. written by Lady Frank.
lin to friend OF hers in this city, who
has toiled all winter, under severe sick.
ness. to accomplish the departure of the
expedition, we give with pleasure, as it
will show the high principles of delcacy
which govern that noble lady.
"You are very kind in believing tha,
by presenting myself at Washington it
would secure all that is wanted. Alas!
think you do not realize how little able
| am to bear such a trial-how painful il
would be to me to eXtort, as it were from
the pity Of a nation. at the sight of dis
:ress what they would not grant more
freely; and if, after all. my pilgrimage
were in vain! for Governments are not
tender-hearte.l as you and l are.
81 trust in God mercy that He will
open TO me some other way of accom-:
plish,ng my Object, though there is no
trial am not prepared TO go through if
it becomes necessary Rather, however,
.hau TO go and beg for the necessary money
at Washington, will prefer crossing
over to the United States, with the small
fund am able TO command. aud see how
far it will go to fit me out one or two
small vessels of not more than one hun:
dred tons each. But how should ge,
officers and men? l should be III want Of
great assistance, indeed
The appeal reached the noble Amer:
can heart Of Henry Grinnell, who sub
scribed $50. 1000, aud which feeling, We
I trust, wilt be responded TO by Congress
III granting the thirty seamen required;
which that gentleman has asked for the
expedition. With this aid early in May
il will go forth on its mission of mercy,
bearing the blessing of all, and unfold the
sacred banner Of our glorious Union OIL
that sea where Il has never yet foa,ed
III the winds of heaven. We trust that
the morning sun which has now nsen
may not finish its semi-annual day till the
long lost voyagers from beyond the con-
fines of their icy horizon will behold the
stars and stripes of America bringing de!
liverance TO the captive. through Amer-
can philanthropy and the intrepid officers
Of the American navy, who mutually re!
ject all rewards and pecuniary induce
menrs offered by Lady Franklin and the
British Government.