The New York herald., 1851-12-30


give nae one Of the steamers, and would take the
Sophia and act as pilot, and 20 up the channel,
and requesting me to explain clearly whether there
was not a barrier of ice at the entrance Of Well
lington Channel which would have prevented these
vessels proceeding in that direction, beg to state
in reply that there was undoubtedly Q barrier of
ice at the time made the application; but never
theless was anxiously desrous to 60 up to it with
the vessels have named, and re main there for the
chance Of its opening until the setting in Of the
frost at the close of the season; it being then
derstood that had the wind remained from the
west, az it then was could not expect any change
but shift to the eastward would have made . ra-
pid alteration in the ice.
1t is my conviction that to such o sudden change
is to be attributed the signs of Sir John Frank
Inns precipitate departure from his winter encamp-
ment. For this reason was most anxious to be
watching at the edge OF the ice. have, &c.
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY TO MR. PENNY.
ADMIRALTY, Sept 10, 1851.
SIR-With reference to the first paragraph of
your letter of the 18th April last, addressed to the
Secretary ss Of the Admiralty in which you state
were apparently those of q retreating party" am
commended by my Lords Commissioners Of the
Admiralty to call upon you to define more particu-
have, &C., (signed), W. A. B. HS; HAMILTON.
MR.. PENNY TO THE sEcP ETARY OF TIE ADMIRALTY
4S7 STRAND, Sept. IL, 1851.
SIR--In refsrt nee to the expression used by me
in my despatch of April 18th, that the traces found
Of the Franklin expedition were apparently those
Of retreatiDg party, of which you call upon me to
define more particularly my meaning, / have to
state that formed my opinion entirely from Capt:
despatch, I was sfterwards led to = very different
cenclusion on landing, and finding undoubtsd
traces Of winter station Of the Ersbus and Terror
in lS45 and 1886 of which the date upon the graves
is positive evidence. Captain Ommanney had not
seen these evidences Of prolonged stay when he
formed the opinion to which / have alluded, and
which was afterwards rejected By the whole Of the
travelling party to explore all the way to Cape
Hurd, without 6nding anything which could justify
the idea Of . retreating party.
Had 1t been q retreating party, traces would
way from 1t, in some quarter or another, whereas
the whole country has been secured without dis
covering any. have, &C.,
(Signed), VIM. PENNY.
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY TO AR. PENNY.
ADMIRALTY, Sept. 2, 1851.
SlR-With reference to Jour letters Of the 18th
April and Sth September last, and your report Of
the jealous assistance afforded to you by the seve-
raj officers, and Others therein named as well as to
the general good conduct Of your men, i am COM
marded by my Lords Commissioners Of the Ad-
miralty to acquaint you that my Lords desire to
express to y9u and to the officers and crews Of the
tain Of their praiseworthy conduct throughout the
service they have been employed upon; and the
satisfaction of my Lords at the untirng and praise
evinced in the space traversed by them, and the
geographical discoveries they have made.
Ny Lords are further of opinion that great credit
is due to yeu and Captain Stewart, and to the
officers under your orders, for the state Of health
maintained on board your respective ships.
You will assure MIR. Peterson that the value Of
his services is fully by their LordshPs
(SigneG w. A. B. HAMILTON.
MR rENNY TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY.
437 STRAND, Oct 10, 1851.
SRI have read in the Tunes the correspondence
between Captain Austin and myself, which their
Lordships have been pleased to send to the ncwspA-
persj without meaning any disrespect to their
Lordshpe, hope may be allowed to say that
think this 10 not fair to myself. as had no opportu-
nifty Of making any explanation Of the circumstance,
oft.
1fthe object is to show that thought aothing
more could be done than the complete search had
made OF Wellington Channel, 1t Is answered By my
having asked Captain Austin for the help Of q
steamer, which would pilot up. Captain Austin's
own despatch shows that on previous. occasion he
did not afford me the assistance which might have
expected from him In getting my boat up TO The
open water. But when Captain Austin seemed to
wish to throw upon me, after had done all that
man could do, the responsibility Of his going there
that he had got my chart, and that had also told
him my convictions that Sir John Franklin had
gone up that channel, in clear water, and begged
him to Judge for himself. My last words to Cap
tain Austin, when he was going to Jones Sound,
wsre-"Go up Wellington Channel, cir, and you
will do good service to the cause.
Their Lerdships know that have not been doing
By Captain Austin in his absence what he appears
to have done by me, but now that he 10 on the spot
do not hesitate to say that have received from
bim very unkind and, rs think, very unfair treat
ment and am sure some Of his own officers could
bear out my assertions. have always endesvored
to behave to Captain Austin with the respect that
is due TO an officer holding so high q command in
her Majestys service, and think his ohisers have
teen witness to this; disdained to say anything
a in h il ah
Their Lordships know that my training has not
cen to write official letters, and am free TO con-
ess that felt much hurt and offended that Captain
Austin should think II necessary TO write TO me as
all l had been saying to him beforehand had gone
for nothing.
left London for my home at Aberdeen on Sat-
To ,se O
such personal explanation as their Lordshirs may
give me an opportunity. have, &C.,
(Signed) Wg. PENNY.
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY TO sR: rENNY.A
ADMIRALTY, Oct. 10, 1851.
SiR-Having laid before their .Lordships your let.
ter Of the 10th instant, desired to acquaint you
that opportunity Of making such explanations as
municate further with you on the subject Il am Sc,
(Signed) w. A. B. HAMILTON.
MR. PENNY TO THS SECRETARY OF TIE ADMIRALTY.
437 STRAND, Oct. IL, 1851.
SR-I hope there will be no objection on the part
Of their Lordships my having returned 10 me the
reports and journals Of my officers and myself, aI
am anxious that some account of what has been
dsne should appear in print as soon as possible.
am, &c,
(Signed) WM PENNY.
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY TO NR. PENNY.
ADMIRALTY, Oct Is, 1851.
SIR-In return 10 your letter Of the l4th instant,
proceedings, and those Of the ofcsr. under your your
command, In the Lady Franklin and Sophia, mag
be returned 10 you, am commanded BY my Lords
Commissioners Of the Admiralty 10 acquaint you
public fsrvice viii admit. II an, &e,,
(sigrsd) WA B.HAwnrox