Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-03-09
SEARCH FOR SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.

SEARCH FOR SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.
Apetition was recently presented 10 Congress
on behalf Of Commodore Wilkes, asking that
body to appropriate half million of dollars and
to send part of the Navy to prosecute the
search for Sir John Franklin. Congress, of
course, will never sanction any such preposter-
Gus scheme. The country would never approve
any such expenditure for such purpose. The
recovery of Sir John Franklin and his CON-
panions, or the solution Of their fate, is mat
ter OF deep interest, not only to their families
and countrymen, but to the world at large. But
our Government never will expend 100000 for
the chance of saving hundred lives--as its in
difference to the safety of domestic travel sufi-
GENTLY shows. The honor of England is d.
rectly concerned in using every possible effort
to rescue those of her own officers whom she
sent abroad upon this perilous service. And
vet, even England shows no disposition to ex-
pend any such sum of money as this upon that
errand.
But the proposition of Commodore Wilkes
will do serious mischief to the cause. 1t will
discourage other Efforts less pretentious in their
shape, but more intelligent in their means. Mr.
Grinnell has again offered his two vessels for
the SERVICE and the leading agents in the recent
expedition are ready to renew their abors-
1t needs very little reflection to show that far
more can be accomplished by them than by all
the fleets in the world. The search among the
Arctic seas is not to be made on ship board, but
by land journeys on foot A ship is needed
simply to convey the explorers to the scene of
their labors,-to carry provisions for their sup
port, and when one spot has been examined, to
take them to another. Large ships are utterly
out of place in those regions of perpetual ice,
and could accomplish comparatively nothing,
simply because they could not make their way
through the ice half as well as smaller vessels.
The little Rescue and Adrance could 60 twice
as far and three times as easily, on such jour
ney, as any ships in the American Navy 1t is
the unanimous decision of all who have been
concerned in the recent search,-English and
American and especially of Capt De Haven and
Surgeon Kane, that small vessels only can be
efficient in this work, because they alone CON-
bine the essential qualifications of great strength
and great facility of navigation.
Equally absurd is the proposition to make this
exploration naval expedition. Epaulettes and
buttons will avail little on such SERVICE
There is no chance to awe admiring nations by
brilliant displays of the stars and stripes. The
main things wanted for such service are zeal
intelligence, and perseverance and these are the
very qualities in which the Yankees have the adj
vantage over other people. The men connect
ed with the last expedition were equal to any in
the world, in toughness and capacity of endur-
ance,--in energy and willingness to endure ia
tigue and all kinds of privations for the sake OF
accomplishing their purpose.
The officers of that Expedition are anxious to
renew the search. They have declared their be.
lief, after very thorough study, that Sir John
Franklin may be vet alive and that the problem
of his fate is at all events one of great interest
for the whole civilized world. They are entire
ly willing to renew their labors. Mr.. Grnnel
has most generously offered the use of his two
vessels again, and all that is needed more is q
propeller to convey them to the scene of search
and the means of living while engaged in it.
We trust so feasible and so modset a request
will not be prejudced by any absurd schemes
like that which now awaits the decision of Con
gress. N. Y. Times.