Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-09-25
GRINNELL LAND.

The reputation OF the American Flag is the common
property Of the nation Its victory its defeat is felt
by every one of us. In time of peace its glory
shame Should shame dscoor of its stripes or
diminish the lustre Of of its stars is the glory
the shame of the American people In can protect
and defend ITSELF In peace it is duty to watch it
with jealous care, and protect it against any attempt
made by friendly nation to rob it of its honors.
When the American Exploring Expedition in ls40 dis
covered the Southern Polar Continent "a discovery that
had bafed the efforts of Europe for century, the dis
coyery repudated by the commander Of English
expedition, and excluded from English maps. The peo
pie and the press Of this country submitted TO the injury
in silence, leaving to time to do the discoverer justice
But this forbearance has only invited repetition of the
wrong. England has repudiated the American dis
covery in the North in 1850.
How this has been done il the object Of these remarks
TO show.
The long absence of the expedition under the command
Of Capt Franklin, who sent to discover the north
west passage the Pacific in 1885, and the unsuccessful
efforts made from England to ascertain the fate Of that
expedition, induced Lady Franklin appeal to America
for aid in seeking for her husband and his companions
Her appeal responded to by HENRY GRNSELL. He
purchased vessels which, with the countenance and aid
Of the United States Government, assist in
the search
This munfcent act Of Mr. Grinne is without prece-
dent. 1t was undertaking by private citizen of
country seek and their homes possible
the officers and Of the absent ships of another
None Of Sir John Franklins countrymen for
ward 10 do much. Not man was found in England,
from prince peasant who able and willing 10 send
his expense expedition to search for the English
ships and their crews such was projected and carried
out by this great hearted American.
The American searching vessels placed under the
of yyho I'D
ice service in the expedition that discovered
Wilkess Land on the Antarctic Continent
Without dwelling upon the arctic voyage Of Lieutenant
De HAVEN, Of his and his companions suterings and
provGentis preservation from destruction during the
extraordinary cedrift record one fact highly
credabe the skill and perseverance Of the officers
and the determination and indomitabe spirit Of the sea-
men Of navy, may be noticed 1t is this: The Res
cue foremost vessel of the American Expedition en-
tered Wellington channel in company with Assistance
the foremost vessel Of all the English Expeditions the
Oath Of August 1850; and when the close Of the
son. became apparent that further progress could be
made the American vessels tout The aid Of steam were
at tie urhes point that made by any vessel of the
three English Expeditions then engaged in the search
all of which had been assisted by their outward
voyage, when in and while crossing, Bafin's Bay
The English Expeditions of Ross Austin, and Penny
made harbors. The Americans afoat the whole of
long arctic winter, at the mercy Of the winds the
rents and the ice On the 18th Of September De Haven
was north Of Cape Bownen the northern point
by Parry in 1919, and further north within Lancaster
Sound than has been attained to this day by any vessel
Of all the English exploring and searching expeditions
His discoveries began Cape Bowden on the 18th Of
September BY the end Of the month he was at 75o 25l
N. Here he hitherto unknown land to the east and
west and far of TO the north beyond the land on the
maps. OF this new-discovered land he gave names to
Maury Channel, Grnnen Land, Mount Franklin, and
other places around De Ravens Bay which names none
that came after him had right to alter. he says:
To the channel which appeared lead into the open
sea- which the cloud Of frost-smoke hung sign
gave the Of Maury, after the distinguished gentle
the head Of National Observatory whose theory
with regard open the north is likely be re-
allied through this channel
To the large mass Of land visible between N W. and
NNE gave the Of Grinne in honor Of the head
and heart Of the in whose phanthropic mind orgi
mated the idea Of this expedition and 10 whose munf-
cence it owes It's existence
ITO a remarkable peak bearing E. from US,
distant about forty miles, was given the name Of Mount
Franklin
IAN inlet or barbor Immediately to the north Of Cape
Bowden discovered by MIR Griffin in his land ex-
curon from Point lines the 9th of August and has
received the Of Griffin Inlet
:" The small island mentioned before was called MUIR
daughs Island after the acting Of the Advance
The eastern shore Of Wellington Channel appeared to
parallel with the western, but il became quite low
and being covered with snow could be distinguished
with certainty, that its continuity with the high land
TO the north was not ascertained"
The exclusion Of the discoveries Of Capt Wilkes in the
Antarctic Ocean from the charts of Capt Ross with all
the Circumstances relating to this exclusion
bered but it supposed that attempt of like
character could be made to set aside the American dis
ooveries in the Arctic Regions for that Of and
party from the English Expeditions was in $780,
any position from which Grinne Land could be SEEN
unquetonaby established by their own reports of
their proceedings.
Yet il has been attempted. In England, on their maps,
il has been accomplished. There the authority Of
the Lords Of the Admiralty, De Ravens discoveries Of
1850 have been set aside The name Of Grinne" has
there been erased, TO make for that of Prince
Albert
In May, 1881, eight months after the discovery by
Lieutenant De Haven the land was seen by Captain
Penny and his parties As their observations do not
agree with De Havens it is proper to inquire how far
they we're qualified 10 correct him or why theirs should
be taken in preference to his.
In answer to questions of the Arctic Committee Cant
Penny said: " The observations for longitude were rem
dered useless in consequence Of pieces not keep
ing equal rate" The longitude by dead reckon
ing, and could not have been far OUT Being young
travellers, all oyerestimated distances and had
TO reduce them, some nearly eighty miles"
Being inquired Of about discrepancy in ATTITUDES
Penny answered II can explain that was deceived
myself at the time 1t low shingly sthmus cover
ed with which the best surveyor have taken