The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-22
From the Philadelphia Bulletin.
The Search for Sir John Franklin.

The belief that Sir John Franklin still lives
WI ch has been 30 long abandoned by the popular
mind, appears to be held more firmly than ever by
men of science, and by Arctic explorers. Not only
ia DR., Kane, IN our own country, firmly CON
WINGED that Franklin survives, but those most em-
inent abroad for knowledge of the Polar sea en-.
terrain similar opinion. We find in the AMe
"eum an account OF the meeting of the Geogra
nhical Society In London on the 22d ultimo, in
which the subject was discussed with great ability,
resulting in a most confident expression of belief
in the probable safety Of Sir John.
The principal speaker at this assemble q was
Captain Inglefeld, who commanded the little
| steamer Ecnt out by Lady Franklin this past sum
Iner. Captain lnglefed was absent but four months
but in that short period he penetrated further
| almost any predecessor; convinced himself that
Franklin's party had not been murdered, as the
| Esquimaux Beck had asserted: and actually en-
tered, as he believes, the famous Polar sea about
which 30 much has been written. His SUCCESS
sho ws what can be done by bold, skilfu and OK
perienccd navi gator, who has steam at his disposal
| and avails himself judiciously of dogs and sedges
| on land travel when he reaches the higher Arctic
regions
1t must not be concealed however, that Sir John
enced judge, is not entirely satisfied that Captain
Ingeheld reached the carn, where the body of the
alleged murdered Franklin was said to lie Beck
| the author of this story had subsequently denied
| that Ominack, the spot which he had originally
pointed out the scene OF the tragedy, and which
Captain Inglefeld accordingly had visited, was
| he real locality. But Sir John, who has never
been a fortunate explorer, has, for several years.
made himself prominent by questioning the value,
or unwillngly admitting the discoveries OF others
His skepticism ia consequently of less nome mt
| than It would otherwise be. But, even admitting
that Beck s to be believed, in this denial of hia
first assertion, it follows. from his prevarcation,
that he cannot be trusted for the original truth OF
| the story The question Of FrankIin's life or
death remains, therefore, where it was before this
idle tale wac told. There is proof of his muir,
der, and consequently a strong Droba blity at he
yet survives, because the mere fury of the ele
ments, or the difficulty of obtaining provisions,
insufficient TO explain his death. Now this is ex-
actiy the inference that Captain Inglefield draws
| from inspecting the cairn at Oninack.
Captain lngleteld's assertion that he had entered
| the great Polar basin was doubted by Captain
Penny and Mr.. P,terman, but seems, notwith.
| standing, to have met with general credence in
the society. II appears that on the 9th OF August
last Captain Inglrfed attained the latitude OF 7so
35 which ia about one hundred and twenty miles
further north than any former voyagers have
gained. He found himself in vast sea. the en-.
trance TO which not less than thirty FIVE miles
across, only partially encountered with ice; and
this he believes to have been the great Polar sea.
He determined, with this conviction, to push ahead
to Behring's Straits, but violent gale which soon
arose and blew directly in his teeth frustrated his
Intention, for the engine of his little steamer
calculated only for Gains, and could not urge for
ward the vessel against an adverse tempest W it'll
great reluctance therefore, he put back. His opin.
ion ia that what ia called Baffin's Bay leads direct
ly into the Polar ocean, and is not a bay, but the
arm OF communication between the Atlantic and
| the Arctic seas. But this idea both Captain Penny
| and Mr.. Peterman question.
| On the whole, however, the chances of rescuing
| Sir John Franklin, if alive, determining ths
suspense respecting his fate, if dead, may be con.
sidered greatly increased by the results Of CAPITA
Inglefield's expedition. 1t lie now settled beyono
| controversy that n steamer can do more in the
Arctic regions in month than a sailing vessel il
years.
The EFFECT OF RAILROADS William C. Inks
| esq, has laid out n town on the Pacific railroad al
the point where the three roads branch--the road
to Kansas to the southwest and TO the Iron mou IN
tain. 1t Is near the line dividing the counties o
st. Louis and Franklin, occupies a beautiful sit.
rise to the upland and ia accessible by roads from
| every direction. The ground is above all rias
metc influences; there is good and pure water
and it is about mile from the branch of tn,
| Merrimac river. In the centre ofthe town the pro
| prietor has given to the Pacific Company egh
&c and also the right of way through it tor thu
three dvcrgng roads. IL eczema to that it lie on,
of the best localities in the vicinity of the city fo
| manufacturing purposes, and the surrounding
country affords many beautiful sites for priv att
residences. 1t will, when the railroad is com
| pieted, not be more than an hours ride from tb,
! city, and with the three roads uniting at tba
point 1t will he accessible from the city at aImos
any hour OF the day The concentration OF bust
ntss from the interior, from kansah, from tn,
southwest, and from the mineral region, give it
posiuon and prospects that no other point on tn,
Pacific :oad can enjoy.
The town is called franklin. II has been laic
OIL in large and commodious lots, wide streets
| alleys. Persons desiring further information car
call upon Mr.. Inks. at his residence the site
OF the town, where he or bis authorized agent will
give all information desircd
81. Louis Republican.