Washington telegraph., 1853-11-30
The Search for Sir John Franklin.

The New York Courier and Enquirer attributes
the surprising Indifference with which the an
nouacement of the discovery OF the North West
Passage has been generally received both in Eng
land and IN this country, to the feeling of disap-
pointment that Commander Mcclure of the In
vestgator, of whom, for the last two years more
has been expected III the work OF discovering fra
ces of Franklin than of any other individual. has
not been able to obtain the least clue to the object
OF his search. There is undoubtedly much truth
in this.
In reference to Commander McClure's discov-
cries the search for Franklin and the prospect vet
remaining that he and his adventurous compan-
ions may still be found, the Courier and Enquirer
has the annexed Interesting remarks:
For years Commander Mcclure has been where
no other snip has been before him. lie has dis
covered new land defined long extent of coast
line that was before uncertain, held intercourse
with people, has verified the existence of
North-West Passage by the discovery of a chan
mel into Barrow Strait from the open sea- so ire-
quently seen by franklin and Others from, tsa
coast OF North America. and. after being frozen
nearly three years in the ice has almost succeed
ed, and doubtless in the end will succeed in push
ing his ship Through. and thus be the first man
who has sailed from the Pacific into the Az
lantlc. And yet all Of his achievements are
hardly heeeed in the disappointment that nothin
has been effected towards settling the business on
which the ship was specially despatched The
discovery of Sir John Franklin would be worth
the discovery of a North West Passage thousand
times over.
But after all we do not regard this Intelligence
from Capt. Mcclure absolutely settling the fate
oi Sir John Franklin. 1t settles only one branch
OF an alternative. The question has long been
whether Sir John, after leaving Bcechy Island
where he built the carn. sailed westward
IN pursuance of his Instructions or pushed
his way north up the newly discovered yelling
ton channel. The opinion of most of the best
Arctic navigators, such as Sir John Ross Captain
Austin, Captain De Haven. Capt Kellett Capt.
Ommaney and DR.. Sir John Richardson is tecd-
edly strong that Sir John Franklin pursued the
Western course; and Lady Franklin has always
directed her efforts with the belief that this was
the truth. But Capt Mcclure by his long voyage
and close search, has etiectualy dispelled all hope
OF finding Sir John in this direction. He has set
tied that either Sir John did not take this course,
or that, if he did, he. with his vessel and all his
crew have been destroyed without leaving YES
tge behind The other question is yet to be deter
mined. Did SIT John after leaving Beechy Island
sail directly north. and find his way into the Polar
from which he has never been able to extricate
himself? This has long been the opinion OF Capt
Penny, of DR.. William Scoresby, and of DIR. Suth-
erland; and though there are some strong reasons
against it. the public will not be satisfied until it
like the other shall be thoroughly tested by an
actual search. But such search is extremely
difficult, il not positively mpract cticable. Weing-
ton Channel is usually obstructel by ice. or.
when free from ice, subject TO fearful tides, that
its navigation is almost impossible Sir Edward
Belcher, who left England last year. has been at
tempting it, but at the last advices, has not made
encouraging progress. Yet he will persevere and
having a large deposit of provisions at Beechy
Island TO fall back upon in case of necessity, will
probably in the end succeed, il success is in the
power OF man. We shall probably not learn any
thing more of the history of his enGeavors, OF
the explorations of the other various parties which
are engaged, before another year, the ateness of
the season suspending further intercourse. The
Grnnei expedition had, at the last accounts,
nearly reached the scene of operations, and will
doubtless prove q servicea5le auxiliary.
But though there are interesting discoveries yet
to be made in these mysterious inhosptabe
gions the hope of ever finding Sir John Franklin
and his gallant companions has almost utterly died
out of human heart. Their restoration to The
world would strike mankind almost like a resur-
rection from the dead. To seek them out after
such.an absence is almost literally like calling
spirits from the vastly deep"
4 Place for a "Strong MiadeF' Coloay.-It is
stated by traveller that most extraordinary
custom prevails among the Wires, powerful
4laa ('al,