Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-04-28
From The New York Daily Timer.
Search for Sir John Franlxlin---Dr.
Kanes Expedition


/ Kane's Expedition.
BY reference TO our special Telegraph
di.patch from Washington, It will be seen
that Z. x. Kane, having just completed
his arrangements and received his final in
s,ructions from the Navy Department, ex.
poets 10 sail for the Alciic Ocean again, on
or before the LIST of May, in search Of Sir
John Franklin, and his company Of long
lost na'igaiols. The enterprise in which
this intrepid officer and his gallant band
have engaged with such SOULFUL ardor. COM
mends itself with especial interest to every
American heart and no statement of their
hopes and plans, OF the provision for their
own comfort and safety (if there can be
comfort or safety in any degree on such an
occaSion,) no matter how detailed, can fail
to he read with surprising interest. The
name and fame OF the great Navigator,
whose fate is now sealed up in the cy con.
fines Of the far north the touching and
elegant efforts and sacrifices made and en-.
dured, sought, by his noble vile, who, with
woman's heart, still hopes against hope,
that he may yet again be restored to her
aud the quite recent Grinnell Expedition,
which shed SO much honor upon its projec.
tor, and those who carried on, his benevo.
lent designs, have all contributed TO make
the history Of Sir John Franklin as familiar
10 u all as a household word bat the
dreadful doubt still impends, aud only adds
hourly tn our interest in even the least
point oi any project for its solution.
DIR. Kane Is expected 10 proceed nj once
TO the head waters Of Bailiu'S Bay, taking
in ~ his way, several dog teams from vuri-
Gus points on the coast OF Greenland. 1t
is also in anticipation 10 St. cue the services
OF several | squmaux, the friendly officers
OF the Danish Government at Copenhagen
having been Obtained 10 facilitate that OBJ.
ject u pon reaching the ultima Thule oil
Navigation, sort of "forlorn hope" of mol
more than twelve men, will leave the brig,
take two sIedges drawn by the dog teams
and continue their journey over the great
frozen ocean, pursuing due northern line
in search OF tina. mysterious water, the
open Polar Sea.
The sledges, in addition to their scanty
cargo Of food, will carry an India rubber
boat, spread upon baskei or wicker work
a valuable suggestion by Mr.. Bennett, agent
Of the Stanton Life. Boats. Dogs will be
used free y 10 carry out depots Of food for
the little party. Once reaching the Polar
Sea, if they should be so fortunate MS to
find such n water this side Of dreamand,
the search of Sir John Franklin will be
guided 10y the terms Of his instructions from
the British Admiralty, and be pursued until
his book Of fate is unSeaied, or the ashes oil
tope shall have become the blackness OF
despair. DR.. Kane has been strongly urged
10 attempt ihe solution Of some vexed
questions Of Geography in relation TO the
continuity of Greenland; but he regards il
incumbent upon himself to Gonfne his eff.
forts 20 the great object of search.
We have already said the little band OF
dalng spirits will sail within few days on
their mission Of mercy. But when will
they return The query brings before Us
most wildly all that must be met and en-
dured, ere home is seen again. The vessels
are provisioned for three years, but the ex-
perence of all Polar travellers seem TO show,
that after the first winter in that region,
the adventurer's effective energies are so
Subdued as 10 render him practically worth
less. DR.. Kane, therefore, though untram-
melIed by instructions, is strongly advised
to return in eighteen months. And should
two winters pass over the party ere we hail
their return TO receive the reward which is
their due, our people will not fall into the
English error of waiting four years in
doubt rs TO their conditiDn-but will send
at once party TO determine their fate
God speed them, and give them that sue,
cess they covet, as above all other reward:
of their adventurous tolls.