The republic., 1851-08-14
the Rumor In regard GO SIR John Fr4nkiin.

The Humor in regard 60 sir John Franklin.
AS every thing relating to the expedition OF this
long missing navigator, which affords the faintest
ray OF hope. is eagerly sought by the public, we
publish the following accounts although our readers
will have perceived that it is discredited by the
London papers received by the Arctic, The state
uient is taken from the Dundee (Scotland) Id
Uetiser of the 25th July, and is made by Mr.. G.
Douglass mate of the whaler Flora, just arrived at
Stromner's, after voyage of one and half years.
Mr.. D. says:
"In February last our ships crew partially
abandoned the vessel. and erected large snow
house the shore, it being in many respects more
comfortable than on board, and better suited for
hunting operations. We had been at that time
five months frozen up in Lancaster Sound. In one
of our excursions We fell in with party OF Esqui-
maux Indians, nine in number they had slight
knowledge oiour language; they inquired whether
were English or American On being satisfied
on that point they inquired If we belonged to Chief
Franklin.
''The idea flashed upon our minds that they
knew something of Sir John and his crew, and we
answered in the affirmative. They then pointed
to the right, to towering heap of snowy noun
tai2s, and by their gestures they signed they had
gone TO sleep.
awe brought them to our snow house, when
instantly reported the case TO Mr.. Robb, our cap
tain, and it was agreed that party Of twelve men
uIanld accompany the Indians, and probe the story
10 the foundation. The party consisted of Mr..
Page, our surgeon, ]. Brown, carpenter, Wilson,
Blair, Hall, Murray, Agnew, Crosley, Jones, Jen-
kinson, Raiferey, (seamen,) } and myself We had
plentiful supply of provisions, which were packed
into fiat bottomed boat, which was covered with
seal. skim and several rifles, spears, sc.
"We started on our dreary journey on March
27th Our route was one of the widest which can
be conjectured. We proceeded in zig gag course
up one hill, down another, then to the right, then
TO the left then to the right again. On the fourth
day symptoms of discomfort began TO be mani
Tested by our hard tars, feet cut and
wounded with the sharp projecting fragments of
ice the thaw was setting in, and VIC were appre
hcnsive of being buried by the falling avalanche
of snow, which descends like lightning down the
side of the mountains.
"0p the 10th day, April 5th, our guides led US
into a large natural amphitheatre among the
mountains. After a journey of some miles we
deserted something waving over the snow-it was
black silk handkerchief tied TO the top of walk
ing-stick. We eagerly drew out the staff, and
commenced operations by digging about two feet
deep. We came on the body of man, and in a
few minutes after discovered three other bo
dies. They were frozen like cicles; decomposition
had not commenced. Their boards were long and
shaggy, while their rigid features and wasted
limbs spoke in the language of nature-they had
died from want.
''Their dress that of British seamen in cold
latitudes. One man had his name written, or
rather engraved, on his arm, H. Carr The rest
were all more or less marked some had crosses on
their breasts, others stars ships, letters, SC Our
hearts sickencd at the sight. We replaced them
in their cold desolate graves, and set up the same
sad memento Poor fellows, exclaimed, you
have attempted to regain your homes by over
land journey, but you are left in the desert.
"The Indians could give us more intelligence,
30 returned The most probable conjecture is,
large party had set out from Sir John Franklin's
expedition; four had thus perished; in all proba-
bility the whole OF them are now dead"