Washington telegraph., 1853-11-16
GREENE c. BRONSON, Esq, New York.
Tssa Eoyts, West Passage,

1t will be seen by reference TO the foreign news
that the great problem Of passage from one ocean
20 the other through the Arctic Ocean has been
solved by Commander MCCLURE, of the British
ship investigator, who had accomplished the
North west passage, having passed through Behr-
ings Straits into the Arctic Sea, and returned
home by Davis Straits Inhabitants had been
discovered further Northward than known prev-
oasly. The were very friendly. Large quantities
of very pure copper was discovered.
The London Globe SAYS:
'-No traces toward success in the main object
of their mission have been discovered. but we
have been favored with communication of a letter
from Commander Mcclure. dated II. AI. S. lnves-
tigator, Bay of Mercy, Barings Islan April, 1888,
which announces his success in accomplishing the
long problematical enterprise ol the Northwest
ern Passage. The gallant writer states that du-
ring the winter of 1850 his vessel wiHtered in
pack. without sus al ing anydamage and surprising
to say. he has to report the result at the end
of the third winter and without the loss of single
man OF her crew, in the frozen waters called the
Prince of Wales Strait, and communicating with
Barrows, rs he ascertainined on October 2J, OF
that year.
In July, 1851, he states: "Such body of ice
came down upon with strong East wint, and
set the vesscLso far to the the South that we de-
term ined to attempt passage by east end OF the
cliffs OF banks land, forming the northern entrance
ofthe island under which arc.n The diff
cultes and dangers OF this passage may be estima-
ted from his statement that the ice-iotes encoun-
tered measured from ortv-iive to seventy feet be-
meath the water, and only six seven above.
1t is interesting to learn that inhabitants have
been discovered further Northward than known
previously. at WolIaston and Victoria Lands and
Northward still on the tract designated Prince
Albert's Lands. These were found exceedingly
kind and friendly, and great quantities OF copper
were found, apparently in a very pure state. This
metal is used bv the natives for edging their
pous, etc. but they appeared to be amused at see
ing pieces of it picked up by the crew possess
ing value In April, 1852, Commander Mcclure
went to Melville Island on sledges expecting 10
find there one of Captain Austns vessels, or at
all events, store of provisions. but disap-
pointed to find only notice LETT by Lieutenant
McClintock, saying where provisions were, and
giving the position of the ships
1t was inferred that the search was supposed TO
be abandoned, and no other vessels expected 10
have come this far. Since October, 1851, the
crew OF the Investigator is stated TO have been
pui on two-thir1s alowance-hall pound Of meat
per diem in climate where their commander
states they could readily have consumed four. On
the hills adjacent to the bay from which the letter
is dated, large numbers of deer and other game
have been found which must have contributed a
welcome relief from the shert commons of the
previous polar sojourn.
The only portion OF Captain helleti's letters
with which we are, as yet made acquainted, is
the brief notice dated Melville Island. 18th May
that Mcclure had joined about fortnight, all
we'll. but hai-starved From Capt McClure' :
own letters it appears that he had already detach
ed some of his crew to return home by Buiiin
Bay, and a small party by the Mackenzie,