The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-07-01
From the Liverpool Times, June ii.
Recent Traces of SIR. John Franklin


The report that cairn of stones, raised by Sir
John Franklins expedition had been discover ed in
Joness Sound in iS43, by the Prince of Wales
whaler, has received within these few days very
distinct confirmation, rendering the statement ny
far the most mportant-presulnptlye or otherwlse-
which has yet reached as respecting the missing
expedition.
From the voluntary testimony of one of the sea-
men engaged at Stromness for the Prince Albert,
we have the following facts elected and taken down
In the presence Of Mr. Kennedy, the commander OF
that expedition, and others and the statement Is
attested by the seaman in question, William Mil
lar, who declares that, if required, he would make
the same oath he states that he was on board
the Prince of Wales in lS4S, when, early in Sep,
TENDER, during very thick weather, they entered
(aa they beeved) Lancaster Sound, and 5teered
west, advancing slowly. The fog CONTINUES very
heavy for some days, when it suddenly lifted, and
high land was the larboard side, over the
mast head. The captain being at fret doubtful IT
it were the loom of icebergs or of land, sent of
boat to ascertain the fact, and OF this party Will
liam Nillar formed one.
He states that landing the marks of shoe
prints were distinctly visible in the mud, above
high water mark; close by was small cooking
place blackened by fire, and a little further on
well-built cairn about four or five feet high, OF
which the party pulled away few stones, but
being recalled bya signal from the ship, which
being driven III shore by the current, were
csmpelfnd TO return on board Immediately.
1t was believed by the master OF the Prince of
Wales, the veteran Lee, of Hull, that he had ad
vanced in westerly course up this sound, dis
lance of nearly one hundred and fifty miles, under
the impression that he was in Lancaster Sound;
bUtthis beliefwas removed ON making bis way out
ward, and the doubt confirmed by passing Ito the
southwark the wide opening, and well known
hcadlands of Lancaster Sound. 1t became evident
that he had been in the hitherto unexplored and
northern sound, named after Alderman
Jones, passage which, it has long been believed,
leads directly into the north of the Parry
Islands. William Millar further declares that, at
this point, the passage widened, and that an open
with islands lay before them.
il 10 impossible to entertain any doubt that thls
cairn indicated the fact that some of Sir John
,Franklins party have visited the spot in question;
and we can have no hesitation in asserting that be-
meath the pile carefully raised ia deposited dis
tinct information of his past progress and future
intention. AS to the period of the visit, we may
either of two CONCLUSIONS that during
the detention of the vessels OFF Cape Riley (evi-
denced by the relics brought home last autumn by
the Prince Albert) boat party was sent TO explore
Wellington channel, and thus would arrive at the
point in question, lying as it would appear at the
northeast extremity of that channel-this supposi
ton not impugping orr belief that Sir John Frank
lin then on his way TO the southwest, according
to the first part of his instructions. Secondly, we
may Suppose that having failed in attempting to
proceed In the southwest direction Sir John Frank
lin had attempted the northwesterly, prescribed to
min az the alternative, and had gone up yelling
ton channel, with the view OF passing westward,
leaving notice of his intention at the point in qucs
ton. The latter suppostion gives more recent
date to the shoe prints, though assured by
Arctic travellers THAI Elffpar marks endure win
.distinctness during successive seasons.
We may look for farther and positive intelligence
of Sir John franklin, and we trOst that vessel
specially directed thither will be forthwith des
patched The point lies entirely out of the beat OF
any of those now employed upon the search, and
will most likely not be approached by any of them;
for although Sir John Franklin, being upon an ex-
plorng expedition, might detach boat-party out
of his direct course, those gone to seek him would
naturally confne their search for traces Of him to
the route he ordered to pursue, and thus ncces
sarily be ignorant Of the existence OF those OF
which write.
Whatever motives may have influenced the Ad-
miralty in the abandonment of their intention to
send a steamer to the Arctic sea this summcr-and
we will do them the justice to believe that some
other than those presented by Admiral Berkeley
to the House of Commons have influenced them
whatever motives, we say, have lain at the bottom
OF their unfortunate change Of intention, the time
has arrived for revising that decision and happily
IT 10 not too late TO do II they need such sup
port, tho aid and council OF such men as Parry
Richardson, Sabine, Becchey and Scoresby. can
be obtained at n momenps notice and 10 these
men can look with confidence that thew will
advise no means to be rejected which can throw
any light upon question in which our national
honor, we'll as deepest feelings of humanity
are involved