The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-03

Fiorin Of Austria. .............. AL
l'ucat or Naples. 80
Ounce or oicily. ................ 40
! nei OF Cltnh. a.
Legh0rn Livres. .............. l6 we
------------------ e4i,t0
The following are extracts from Lady Frank
Inns letter: 6a e
81 BEDFORD PLACE, LONDON, Sept. IL, 1851
Ny DEAR Mr. GRIsEELL:--
write to you in much agitation and eonfu-
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 Austn's 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 il the oxly 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
them. 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 been made to get
into Behring Straits. The barrier of ice in
Wellington Channel did not break up last year,
nor had done 80 this, when Penny left; but his
explorations which extended to $50 miles from
the entrance, were made beyond it, in boat
sledges; so miles beyond this he saw water,
with land standing to the northwest | ran
hardly conceive how he could resist following
the open water which he saw beyond him, and
which he is convinced leads into the 80 much
talked of Polar basin. lie is also convinced,
with DR.. Kane, that there il better climate in
those more northern attitudes, 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 10 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 10 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 Eachey Island, &C., of their having left
it suddenly; and that the summer of 1916,
though extremely unfavorable 10 the whalers,
who, on account of the prevailing winds. could
not cross over TO the west side of Baffin's Bay,
must have been quite the reverse to our naviga-
tors. You may imagine in what state 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 F. 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 MS our resource.
To you will belong all the virtue and credit Of
continuing the search, when our own county
men fail, and to you will belong the honor and
glory of suceorng the distressed, and Of settling
| forever that vexed question which for centuries
it has been the ambition of Europe and Of Ene-
land, in particular, to solve. | cannot abandon
my husband and my couptrymen to their fate
just at the very moment when the pathway 70
them has been found; and, if need be, and my
coming to the United States would help in en-
gagiug the active and energetic sympathes OF
your countrymen; painful, in many respects, IA
THE trial would he, would brace up my cour-
age to the proof. But my head is growing
weak, and. ny health il sinking. and then
have beloved sister. mot to mention an aged
father, wio is not now in state to be concous
of my absence,) whom IL would almost break
my heart TO leave. ] nm sure you will tell me,
with all your accustomed TRUTH and c&ndor and
Kindness what Is your view of this point, in
case the admiralty fail me.
IL appears that it was Capt Austin's inten ion
to look into Wellington Channel himself. and
also into Jones' Sound, before he returns home ;
but "a to the former, Penny says, he will find
the ice impossible, so that he will be sure not to
be able, IN an eye witness, TO see the opening
Noting, perhaps, could penetrate it in its pre-
sent state, but the 400 horse power steamer
and that cannot be done this year, though Penny
says, if the steamer could be ready to sail in
three weeks or month from hence, he thinks
he could still get her mp TO Lancaster SQUAD
this season, or, at any rate, to some convenient
locality, which wonld enable him to commence
enrly operations next spring intended writ
ing much more TO you about your own two
gallant ships, and their winter Of almost nm
paralleled anxiety but as with to address
few lines to Judge Kane, believe must for
bear, and refer you to my note to 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 orr brave
and generous allies in your ships ! arm greatly
pressed for time, having more writing than /
can possibly get through Believe me, dear
Mr.. Grinnell, ever, most truly and respectfully,
yours. JANE FRANKLIN
The FIRST cargo Of new rice, consisting Of $500