The New York herald., 1851-12-30

u
fate Of our missing countrymen can never be
have the honour to rsman SIR your most
Late Commander Of an Arctic Expe diition.
To the President-of the. Royal
Geographic Society.
The Arctic Expedition.
Prom the London Sun, December
The following interesting correspondence ha, now
for the first time been made public -
MR.. PENNY TO THE LORDS OF THE ADMIRALTY.
SHIP HOTEL, LONDON, Sept. IL, 1851.
My LoRDs-On my return from the Arctic re-
glons beg to lay before my Lords Commissioners
consideration, certain points which are of vital i'm
portance to the search in which and 80 many
others have been engaged; and beg your Lord
ships to excuse any undue freedom Of expression
which may occur in putting before you my oonvic-
tions. First, have, under deep sense of duty, to
express to your Lordships the extreme importance
of the fact, which have learnt only since my re-
turn, that the provisions carried out by the North
Star are lying in Lancaster Sound instead of at
Disco Island. Had this fact been made known to
the fearching squadron, either at the time when
deposited, or this year, must have very materially
whose labor now that the course taken by the mis-
sing ships is known almost TO certainty could not
have been cramped for want of resources t0 fall back
upon. The whole of Captain Austin's squadron are
seen the North Star themselves, that Mr.. saunders
deposited his provisions ct Disco. feel bound to
add that had that officer permitted me 10 see your
Lordship,s instructions, l should have been aware
nifty with the meaning Of your Lordships'
Secondly-Your Lordships are aware that ! have
discovered the course Of Wellington Channel lies
N W., distance OF 20 miles beyond the point
which reached, and about lS0 beyond the entrance
Of the channel from Barrow Straits; and that 1t is
my conviction that the extensive yet unavaiing
Investigations Of the coast Of Barrow Strait west
ward, place beyond doubt that the missing expe-
course should be therein followed with the utmost
energy, determination, and dispatch.
The heavy barrier Of ice which has blocked up
Wellington Channel near its junction with Barrow
year and the present. to the period Of return;
and in my opinion powerful steamer only, to take
advantage Of the short seMon Is fit for the accom-
plishment Of the work. Ii Is not possible to
rate the advantages Of such steamer it would do
with safety what nothing else could accomplish.
Thirdly-My observations convinced me that,
this northern latitude once reached, comparative
oIe water would be found. The climate improves;
and in proof Of this may mention, that within this
channel at Point Surprise, lat. 70 deg min,
long. 20 deg 55 min, we found ducks on the 18th
Msy-full q menth earlier than In the lower lati-
tude while the sea was even then so free from ice
that the water washed our very feet as we stood upon
the point The quantity of drift wood was co npar-
ativey large, and among this was found piece Of
thrown overheard from the Erebus and Terror.
Walrus and seals were also seer and killed. And
from all these circumstances of improved food and
fuel 1t 10 impossible to doubt that Sir John Frank
Inns party may still be living in this most northern
region
In conclusion venture to put before ysus lord
ships the Importance Of immediate steps for the
prosecution OF the search and entreat you to send
up powerful steamer without delay to follow up
the work, which We have failed to accomplish for
want Of fitting means to do so. And on account OF
feeling myself fettered by the terms Of my In
structions i feel bound to state, In further ex-
nj n ms Hon hat NkA Ay AkA tAsA-.
received from your Lordships seemed to leave
me no alternative butt to return home. Had
II not been for these restrictions should net have
dared to have done 30. A. the same time, with my
present means, but crippled by the depots Of pro-
visions which have been left the coast, and With
no known resources to fall back upon, could not
have lasted on another year without great risk TO
my men.
Since my return learn that Captain Mcclure
and Captain Colinson are proceeding eastward from
Behring Strait, intending to reach Melville Island
which have not the slightest doubt Of their &C
Of Captain ksilett, which IS my own also, thss they
would not return westward, ! leave your Lordships
to Judge If such certainty, as / may presume to
call It, does not afford additional necessity for send
ing to meet them at the earliest moment.
II the promptest measures are adopted, and .
steamer prepared with all possible dispatch, she
may easily reach Lancaster Sound before Il Is
closed BY ice for the season; and for the command
Franklin and Sophia, whose officers and crews are
to man willing and eager to return, beg to offer
my services. My officers and men are in perfect
health, and willing to follow wherever may lead
them, Ifthh plan be adopted, the North Star
should be sent up next spring, with provisions,
tsigned) WM PENNY.
My Lords have thought IL proper to request the
attendance of Sir Francis Beaufort, Sir Edward
Parry, and Sir James Ross, Captain Beechey, Sir
George Back, and Sir John Richardson.
Sir Edward Parry, Sir James Ross. and Captain
Beechey, attended here this day; Sir John Rich
ardson and Sir George Back not being within reach.
This letter, No Il, was placed before the above
and having afterwards communicated with their
lordships, my lords, on full confederation Of the
circumstanees, declined acceding to Captain PEN
ny's offer.
W. A. b. H., Sec.
Acknowledge receipt Of this letter, and acquaint
Captain Penny that my lords are much gratifed By
proceed with his two ships and a steamer, to en-
deavor to reach Lancaster Sound this season but
hat on full consideration Of all the circumstances
Of the case, their lordships decline TO accept the
offer w. A. b. IA.
SECRETARY OF TIE ADMIRALTY TO Mr.. PENNY.
ADMIRALTY, Sept. 13, 1851.
SiR-Refcrring 10 dispatch from Captain Aus
Tin, Of her Msestys ship Resolute, dated the 18th
Of August last, in which ne states that, "having
communicated with Captain Penny, and fully con- |
sidersd his official reply TO my letters relative to
Ihe search Of Wellington Strait by the expedition
under his charge, (unhsppily without success,) do
not feel authorized to prosecute (even II practical
ble) q further search In these directions" am |
BY my Lords Commissioners Of the |
Admiralty, to signify their directions TO you to take
he earliest opportunity Of transmitting TO me, for
heir lordships information, q copy Of your Official
stters 10 Captain Austin referred 70.
have, &C,
tSigned) WA. b. EANrLToN.
sR rHrSy TO TIE xcnrrARy OF IHK ADMIRALTY. |