Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-08-21

ship. Il contains the following affecting mar
| raiive:
:. In February last our ships crew partially
abandoned the vessel, and erected LARGE snow
| house on the shore, il being, in many respects
more comfortable than OF board, and better
suited for hunting operations. We had been
at this time five months frozen mp in Lancas-
ter Sound. In one of our excursions we fell
/ in with party of Esquimaux Indians, nine
iE numbers they had slight knowledge q
our language; they inquired whether we were
English or Americans. On being satisfied
on that point, they inquired if we belonged
TO Chief Franklin. The idea now flashed
upon our minds that they knew something of
Sir John Franklin and his crew. and we ans
wered In the affirmative. They then pointed
to the right, TO a towering heap of snowy
mountains, and by their gestures they sieni-
! fed they had gone 10 sleep. We brought
them TO our snow-house. when instantly re-
ported the case to Mr.. Robb our captain, and
1t was agreed that a party of twelve men
would accompany the Indians, and probe their
story to the foundation. The party consisted
/ OF Mr.. Page, our surgeon, j. Brown, carpen-
ter, Wilson, Blair, Hall, Murphy, Agnew,
Crosiey. Jones, Jenknson, Rafferty,, (seamen)
and myself. We had plentiful supply Of
provisions. which were packed into fiat bot
toned boat, which was covered with seal skin
and several rifles, spears, &c.
We started on our dreary journey on March
~ Our route was one of the widest which
can be conjectured We proceeded in a zig
gag course up one hill, down another, then to
the right then to the left again. On the fourth
day, symptoms of discomfort began to be man
ifested by our hardy tars our feet were cut
and wounded hy sharp, projecting fragments
OF Ice /; the thaw was setting in, and we were
of h., f,f1
avalanches of snow, which descend like light
ming down the sides of the mountains On
the 10th day, April 9Th, our guides led us into
a large natural amphitheatre among the noun
ialns. After journey of some miles, we
deserted something waving over the snow
1t was a black silk handkerchief tied to the
top Of a talking 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 few minutes after
we discovered three other bodies. They were
frozen like icicles; 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 was that Of British seamen,
in cold attitudes One man had his name
written or rather engraved, on his arm, - Ii.
Carr. The rest were all more or less mark
ed; some had crosses on their breasts, Others
stars, ships, letters, &c. Our hearts sickened
at the sight. We replaced them in their cold
desolate graves, and set mp the same sad me-
HaeHfO mort. = Poor fellows, | exclaimed,
you have attempted to regain your homes by
an overland journey, but you are left in the
desert
" The Indians could give us no more intel
ligence, so we returned. The most probable
conjecture is, large party had set out from
SirIohn Franklin expedition; four had thus
persisted; in all probability the whole of them
are now dead
Extracts from the letter of Mr.. G. Doug
lass to Mr.. John Douglass, Aberdeen,o n board
the Flora.
By inserting the letter, you will oblige
Yours, respectfully.
Thomas REID.