Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-05-13
Sir John Franklin.

Sir John franklin.
Years upon years have rolled past since this gal
liant Englishman and his brave companions sailed on
the expedition from which they have never return
ed an Arctic exploring expedition, believe, with
q view of discovering Northwest passage between
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. How many years
have transpired since he was last heard of we do
not accurately remember--some five or six, we
think-not less such length of time certainly as
would have caused all hope Of his still surviving to
have faded away from the thoughts and judgments
of mankind, had it not been kept alive by the
zeal and exertions of his faithful wfe-Lady Frank
lin. With the constancy of devoted woman she
has kept alive her own hope and stimulated the
ertions of others, TO point far beyond that from
which cool judgment could have led to the expecta-
ton of any favourable result, when every reasona-
bic and unreasonable chance of his surviving be-
ing recovered had ceased.
How many composed the expedition under
Sir John Franklin we cannot say-not more, GER
tainly, than sailed in any of the several expeditions
which have been sent out for his assistance
and whose lives have been equally risked with his
For every man who may have persisted with Sir
john at least six have been placed in equal eopar
dy in hunting for him. 1t noble and praise
worthy object, and the instance one in which
mere calculation properly gave way to more gen
erous impulses. But in truth and sincerity, all who
look candidly at the matter must confess to them
selves that the time has come when such expedi
tons mere chimeras-when not generosity, but
Quixotsm, must be their excuse. and when the fur
Their exposure of human life in vague and hopeless
enterprise must rather be sensured criminal reck-
lessness, than praised as selfsacrifcing magma
nimity.
An expedition Of this character is to leave New
York this season. Some discoveries of scientific in
terest may possibly be made least we hope so
for in the high ATTITUDES in which the field of ex-
ploration is situated little of practical utility can
be hoped for, and without miracle such as the
world does not look foz in these latter ages no news
of Sir John can be even dreamed of.
We have been led into this train of thought and
consequently into these remarks by meeting with
notice of DR.. Kane who is to 60 out with the expe-
dition from New York. It has been our duty so Of
ten-and we might say unceasingly-to chronicle
losses of life by all sorts of carelessness on Steam
boats and Railroads. that the loss of life in Sir Johns
party sinks into utter insignfcance compared with
it; but while we find brave, adventurous and liberal
men riskng existence and property upon efforts for
the recovery of the latter, when hardly CLEAN of
hope can subsist in the breast even of the most
guine, we see Legislatures, Legal tribunals and
whole communities rest supine and satisfied under
the first; occasional burst elected by some such
murder that at Norwalk, breaks through the
monoonous submission, but, before tardy justice
reaches the case, it is forgotten and there is either
nobody to bame'-or, if there is anybody to
blame there is nobody to blame him, and so the evil
grows and multipes.
Arrival of the Daniel Wsbster-One Week Later
from California.
New ORLEANS, May 9th, 10 P. M.--The steamer
Daniel Webster has arrived, bringing San Francis
co dates of April Is, being week later.
The steamer S. S. Lewis. from San Juan for San
Francisco got ashore the former port and prov
ed total loss Her passengers 400 in number with
their baggage, were all saved, but the cargo was
lost with the vessel. The total loss is estimated at
100000. ~
The steamer Jenny Lind had exploded near San
Francisco, by which 20 persons were killed. and 60
terribly scalded
The San Francisco papers say that it is believed
that there was no insurance on the steamer s s
Lewis.
Among the passengers lost on the steamer JENNY
Lind was one whole family, Noah Ripley with his
wife and three children.
The California market was more active than noted
by previous advices but the tendency of nr.es was
| still downward Sales of Gallego and Haxall Aour
at $40 62 for inspected superfne Clear pork quoted
$50, and contracts concluded for delivery within a
few days at $40 Mess beef $27 $50 with sales.
Butter 81 to 40 cents per ID. Lard Is cents Gro.
ceres generally without much change. The money
market easier.
OaoJosiah c. Bryan. Esq. has been appointed Post
master at Fayetteville. Mr. B. will accept The Office
n. T..