Washington telegraph., 1853-01-12
From the ~ Y Journal of Commerce, Dec. Is.
Geographical and Statistical So.
ciety.


ciety.
The American Geographical and Statisti-
cal Society held its regular monthly meeting
last evening in the chapel of the University,
Washington square, Hon. Geo. Bancroft in
the chair.
A very large audience was in attendance,
and gleat interest was manifested in the
proceedings. After some preliminary re-
marks by the chairman, Lieut.. (late DRY
Kane, U. S. N read highly interesting
paper on Access to North Polar Sea,
viewed in connexion with the search after
Sir John Franklin"
Down to the present time, said the speak
er, the North Pole has been regarded with
mysterious awe. All investigation seems
shut out and all curiosity repressed by a
barrier of eternal ice. Dr. Kane then pro-
ceedcd to critical examination of the theo-
ries of ancient and modern navigators. re-
specting the Polar Sea, referring frequently
to maps OF his own construction, number
of which were affixed to the walls To
make the Northeast passage has been the
favorite dream of navigators, but to this day
the attempt has always been attended with
failure. Parry. late navigator, with a
daring unequalled, attempted to cross the
ice on sledges, but his attempt was totally
unsuccessful Recent discoveries render it
beyond doubt certain that Sir John Frank
lin wintered at the mouth OF Wellington
Channel This has been ascertained by
recent discoveries, and among others by
Captain Penny, an enterprising whaer
but alas here all trace of him is lost, and
nothing remains but the lonely graves of his
companions. The squadron of Sir Edward
Belcher, which is on voyage of discovery,
may do much, but confess that [ am not
sanguine as to the result The Hon. Hen
ry Grinnell, the president of this society,
has done me the honor of appointing me to
the command of one of his vessels, the Ad-
vance, and 1 have in contemplation new
expedition. My plan of travel is based up
on the extension of Greenland to the far
North, and though this hypothesis is not sus-
tanned by all geographers, yet recent dis
coveries all tend to confirm it. Believing
in this extension, and feeling that the ap-
Proclamation of the meridians would make
access to great Polar Sea far more easy,
I propose this as my plan Of search My
party will consist of thirty picked men,
Our provisions will be composed of penn
naican, preparation of dried deer's flesh.
The brig furnished by Mr.. Grinnell is ad-
mirably fitted for our purpose, and peculiar
ly adapted for the ezigencies of our expedi.
ton. On our route we will take in some Es-
quimaux dogs, together with sledges, and
few natives to manage them.
This is not merely voyage of search
The vast advantages which will accrue to
the cause of science from this expedition
cannot be too highly estimated Dr. X.
concluded the reading of his paper with
complimentary allusion to the course pursued
by the Secretary Of the Navy, with refer
ence to the contemplated expedition
Rev. DIR. Hawks then rose and made
brief but pertinent address. Every one,
said he, must feel an interest in this expedi-
ton. Lieutenant Kane is to embark upon
no holiday voyage; h. is to venture upon an
Inknown sea, encompassed ON every side
with difficulty, danger. and death, and I
know that there is not an American heart
which will not join in prayer, God speed. l
feel proud of my countryman; he has proved
his claim to the respect of his country by his
labors in the great cause of humanity.
DIR. Hawks then read the following reso-
lutions:
ResolUed, That the society regards with
grateful interest the exertions of the Secre-
tary Of the Navy in advancing the know
ledge of physical geography. and that they
especially tender their thanks for the liber-
ality with which he has lent his aid to the
expedition destined for the Arctic Seas
Resotved, That the society appoint
committee of five for the promotion of the
interests of the expedition, and that they be
instructed to confer with the Secretary of
the Navy and the Smithsonian Institution
The above resolutions being seconded and
adopted, the society adjourned, after vote
of thanks to DIR. Kane for his able and inter-
esting paper.