The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-08
VOL. III


The following are extracts from Lady Frank
Inns letter:
81 BEDFORD PLACE, LONDON, Sept IL, 1851
MY DEAR Mr.. GRIsNELL:-
| write to you in much agitation and confu-
sion Of mind, which you will not wonder at
when you hear that Capt. Penny, with his two
ships, has returned, and announces the approach
ing return OF Capt Austins squadron, after
being out for only half the period for which they
were equipped.
Capt Penny's letter is to-day before the
Board of Admiralty, urging them in the
strongest terms to despatch instantly power
full steamer to Wellington Channel, in which
quarter, to the northwest, he has discovered
the passage which there can be scarcely doubt
the ships have taken, since it Is the only opening
they have found any where, and hundreds Of
miles of coast have been explored in the lower
western direction, to Cape Walker, Banks
Land, and Melville Island, without trace Of
TEN. Drift wood in considerable quantities
has come .out Of this northwest channel, and
also small bit Of rather fresh English elm,
which Penny pronounces must have belonged
to our ships, and was probably thrown over
board. Thus the right track of the northwest
passage and the course of the missing ships are
| identical; and can only regret that our squad
ron was not told they might attempt the making
of the passage If they could, for in that case we
should have had no abandoning Of the search
| till many more struggles had ben made to get
into Behring Straits The barrier of ice in
Wellington Channel did not break up last year.
/ nor had done SO this, when Penny LETT but his
explorations, which extended to $50 miles from
the entrance, were made beyond it, in boat
sledges; 60 miles beyond this he saw water,
with land standing to the northwest can
h .rdly conceive how he could resist following
| the open water which he saw beyond him, and
which he is convinced leads into the SO much
talked of Polar basin. He is also convinced,
with Dr. Kane, that there Is better climate in
those more northern latitudes, with more natu-
| raj resources of food and fuel; some proofs Of
which he brings forward. We have every rea-
son, then, to hope that some of our lost friends
and countrymen may yet be able to support life
| in this region, though unable TO return by the
way which they came; and the absence of any
| traces of them north of Cape Innes, on the east
side of Wellington Channel, proves nothing at
all against it, since they were not likely to lin
ger on their way to examine shores and islands,
but would push on as fast as possible while the
opportunity favored them and the next traces
to be found would probably be their second
winter quarters.
In confirmation of this view, Penny tells me
that there are signs of their first winter encamp-
ment at Bachey Island, &c., Of their having LETT
| il suddenly; and that the summer OF 1916,
though extremely unfavorable 10 the whaers,
who, on account of the prevailing winds, could
not cross over to the west side of Bafin's Bay,
must have been quite the reverse to our naviga-
tors. You may imagine in what slate OF
anxiety and agitation we are, till we learn the
decision of the admiralty on the appeal now
| made to them. have written strong letter
also, and | know that Sir 7. Beaufort, Capt
Hamilton, and Mr.. Barron, who are all at their
posts, will alege the necessity of prompt meas
ures with all their powers. Should we fail, we
must look TO America alone as our resource
To you will belong all the virtue and credit OF
continuing tire search, when our own country.
men fail, and TO you will belong the honor and
glory of succoring the distressed, and ofsettllng
forever that yexed question, WHICH Tor centuries
il has been the ambition Of Europe and cf Eng
land, in particular, to solve. ] cannot abandon
my husband and my countrymen to their late
Just nj the very moment when the pathway 10
them has been found; and, II need be, and my
coming 10 the United States would help in en-
capinp the active and energetic sympathics OF
your countrymen; painful, in many respects, as
this trial would be, / would brace mp my couI-
age TO the proof. But my head 10 growing
weak, and NY health Is sinking, and then
have a beloved sister, mot TO mention an aged
father, who is not now in n state to be concious
of nv sbsence,) whom il would almost break
nv heart to leave. am sure you will tell me,
with all your accustomed truth, and candor and
kindness, what Is your view Of this point, In
case the admiralty fail me.
Il appears that twas Capt Austin's intention
10 look into Wellington Channel himself, and
lao in'o Jones' Sound. before he returns home;
bnt M &c the FORMER, Penny says, he will find
the Ice impossible, so that he will be sure not TO
be able, M an eye witness, TO see the opening
Nothing, perhaps, could penetrate u IN its pre-.
scnt state, but the 400 horsepower steamer,
and that cannot be done this year, though Penny
says. IL the steamer could be ready TO sail in
three weeks or month from hence, he thinks
he could still get her up TO Lancaster Sound
this season, or, at any rate, TO some convenient
locality. which would enable him 10 commence
early operations next spring intended writ
inc much more TO YOU about your own two
gallant ships and their winter Of almost I'M
paraIleled anxiety, hut as ! with 10 address
few lines TO Judge Kane, I believe must for.
bear. and refer you TO my note 10 him, which
shall enclose and leave open. Capt. Penny has
studded the northern part Of Wellington Chan
mel with your names, and the names Of our brave
and generous allies IN your ships. ] am greatly
pressed for time, having more writing than
can possibly get through. Believe me, dear