The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-07

disclosed no traces of the missing ships Being APP
prehensive that the boats left on the coast would
be broken up by the Esquimaux, and being, more
over. of opinion that the examination Of the open
ing in question might be safely and efficiently per-
formed in the only remaining boat had lit Tor
transport from Bear lake to the Coppermine, de-
termined to entrust this important service TO Mr..
Rae, who volunteered, and whose ability and zeal
in the cause cannot too highly commend He Sc
lected an excellent crew, all OF them experienced
uoyaget1s, and capable offndng their way back TO
Bear lake without guides, should any unforeseen ac
cident deprive them of their leader. In the month
of March (lS49) sufficient supply OF pemican and
other necessary stores, with the equipments OF the
boat, transported over the snow on dog
sledges, 70 navigable part OF the Kendall river,
and left there under the charge of two men. As
soon as the Dease broke up in June, Mr.. Rae would
follow with the boat, the rest of the crew, and
party of Indian hunters, and would descend the
Coppcrmine river about the middle OF July, at
which time the sea generally begins TO break up.
He would then, soon possible, cross from Cape
Krusenstern To Wolaston Land, and endeayor
to penetrate to the northward, erecting signal
columns and making deposits on conspicuous head
lands, and especially the north shore OF Bankss
Land, should he be fortunate enough to attain that
coast. He was further instructed not TO hazard the
safety of his party by remaining too long on the
north side of the Dolphin and Union Strait, and to
be guided in his movements by the season, the state
of the ice, and such intelligence he might obtain
from the Esquimaux. He was, moreover, directed
to report his proceedings to their lordships imme-
diately ON his return and should his dispatches ex
perience no delay on the route, they may be ex-
ppected in England in April or May next He was
also requested to engage one or more families OF
Indian hunters, to pass the summer OF 1900 on the
banks of the Coppermine river, to be ready to as
s any ns. % Of
ditfonal measures in furtherancc OF the humane
views of their lordships, it is necessary to take IN
to account the time for which the discovery ships
were provsioned. Deer migrate over the ice in the
main ahore IN Victoria and VOL
laston Lands in large herds, and return in the au-
tumn The lands are also the breeding places of
vast hocks OF snow geese; so that with ordinary
skill in hunting, large supply OF iood might be
w, and August Seals are also numerous in those
seas and are easily shot, their curiosity rendering
them a ready prey to boat party. In these ways
and by fishing, the stock OF provisions might be
greatly augmented And We have the recent ex-
ample of Mr.. Rae, who passed severe winter ON
the very barren shores of Repulse Bay, with no
other fuel than the withcred turfs Of herbaceous
andromeda and maintained numerous party ON
the spoils of the chase alone for whole year Such
instances forbid us to lose hope. Should Sir John
Franklin's provisions become 80 far reduced as to
be inadequate to a winters consumption, II Is not
likely that he would remain longer by his ships,
but rather that in body, in several, the OIL
GERS and crews, with boats cut down 80 as to be
light enough to drag the ice, or built expressly
for that purpose would endeavor to make their way
eastward to Lancaster Sound, or southwards to the
ships were arrested. would here beg leave to sug
gest that the Hudson's Bay Company be authorized
and requested to promise liberal rewards to Indians
and Esquimaux who may relieve white men entering
their lands. Some parties of Esquimaux frequent
ing the coast to the westward of the Mackenzie
in the habit of passing the winter in the vicinity OF
the Hudson's Bay Companys post on the Rat river,
Ca tributary of the Peel,) and might be interested
in the cause by judicious promises. The Russian
Fur Company have post on the Yucon or Coville,
which falls into the Arctic Sea about midway be-
tween the Mackenzie and Behring's Straits, and
through their officers similar offers might be made
to the western Esquimaux. We know from the
narrative of Sir John Franklin's discovery of that
coast, and also from the subsequent voyage OF
Messrs. Dease and Simpson, that the Esquimaux
who frequent the estuary Of the Mackenzie meet
those from Point Barrow, at an intermediate point,
for the purposes of barter; and in this way intelli
gence of any interesting occurrence Is conveyed
along the coast. The Russian post on the Colvile
receives its supplies from post in Norton Sound,
where it would be easy for any vessel bound to
Behring's Straits to land a communication. Mr..
Rae, having been appointed to the charge OF the
Mackenzie river fur district, will give proper d.
recon to the efforts Of Indian hunters in that quar-
ter. As tits thoughtby some, whose opinion highly
value that the discovery ships may have penetrated
to the westward in high latitude not to come
within sight of the main land, ! may further sug-
gest the disturbances of the examination OF the
western coasts of Bankss and Parry's Islands; but
as this would require ship expedition by way OF
Behring's Straits, must leave the discussion Of the
practicability Of such scheme to the able execu-
tive officers who have navgated the northern seas
have only to add, that after the return OF MI Rae
and myself from the coast in September, Is4s, we
devoted our leisure during the winter to observa
tons the magnetic intensity and force with the
uniplar magnetomcter, and DR.. Lloyd's inclinome-
ter and kept hourly registers for fourteen hours
each day Of the declinometer, barometer, Their
mometcr, and wind vane. In the beginning of
May, 1s49, Mr.. Bell and taking all the Europeans
the party then remaining at the FORT and such Of
the Canadians as were not to be employed with
| Mr.. Rae on his summer expedition, crossed Great
| Bear lake on the ice, and when the navigation
opened in June, assembled the Mackenzie, and re-
traced my outward route.