Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-12-23
Correspondence.
FRANKLIN Co. INp1ANA.l


North West Passage-sir John
Franktin--The Pacific RaiIrond. .
Friend Goodcia: Within the last
few weeks the newspapers have an
nounced the intelligence of the dis
covery Of a northwest passage around
the American Continent, but have thus
far given us very few particulars. The
discovery Of such a passage has long
been considered matter Of great i'm.
portance TO the commercial world
Several expensive expeditions by land
and sea, all having reference, ultimate
ly, 10 the same object. have been sent
out during the last third Of a century.
Those of Sir John Franklin have been
most celebrated both from the good
success Of the early ones, and the mel
ancholy issue of the last. He made
two expeditions by land, in 1919 and
1895. to the North Western coast. du-
ring which he assisted in exploring the
coast from near Behering's Strait to q
point East of the mouth Of the Copper
mine River. -
He afterwards made an exploring
expedition to the South Seas. His last
ill-fated voyage was commenced in
May, l845, and all hope Of ever learn
ing its fate is now gone forever. Much
interest has been felt in sending him
relief, ifstill living. or in learning his
fate, il he has perIshed, but no reliable
tidings have been for several years re-
ceived. ltwas one Of the expeditions
sent out in search of him that was sue
cessful in discovering the long-sought
passage.
The only Ineligible account OF this
discovery that have seen is from a
late No. Of the New York Times, but
even this swas notso full as could have
desired. The discovery seems to have
been made under the superintendent
of Capt. Robert Nc Clure. of the Brit
ish Navy. On setting out he was or
dered by his superior officer to re-
turn, but he ''took his own response
bility." and went forward, and has
thus been rewarded.
Although he is announced as having
made the discovery of passage, yet,
last spring. when the last dispatches
came from him, he had not sailed fully
through it. but had been fast in the ice
for nearly two years. He passed thro'
Behering's Strait in 1850, then kept
close along the American coast until
he reached point nearly South of the
Melville Island, a little South West Of
which was the farthest that any ship
had penetrated their position slightly,
when they were again firmly fixed, !"
where they still remained, April 10th,
1858. Their position is "a deg. min.
North Latitude. and III deg. 81 min.
West Longitude. ''In April. 1859, a
party crossed the ice toMelville Island,
and deposited document there giving
an account of their proceedings and
of the position of their vessel" This
was discovered, and their position thus
made known to Capt. Nc Clure. supe.
rior officer, who Immediately took
measures for their relief. Strange co.
incidencel This was the same officer
who attempted to recall them at Be-
hering's Strait. when they determined
to take the responsibility" and now
he and his crew were the first Of their
countrymen whom they met from the
other side Of the globe.
The dispatches state that they were
awaiting the approach Of another sum
mer, in the hope that they might yet
be able to release their vessel, and
speedily complete their hazardous yoy-
age. II they did not succeed in this,
they had fully resolved to abandon
their vessel, and seek some other mode
Of return. so that we may expect soon
to hear IL they still survive, that they
have reached their homes again.
Their condition is greatly allcviated,
since they have had communication
with their countrymen, and their po'
sition and calamities are known. They
have at least an increased hope Of es.
Gaping with their lives. and being re,
stored 10 the society Of their friends.
i How horrible must have been theil
situation, in a latitude OF "a degrees
70 behold their vessel bound in by IN,
ice, without shadow Of hope OF be
ing able 10 rescue IL for Dor 10 month";
TO come, having no communication
with anyother human being, not know
ing that they should ever again see O
hear OF their friends, or make know
10 them their own sad calamities an,
impending fatc;-to be thus situated