The Shasta courier., 1853-12-03
{ rom the Arctic Expedition---The North
west Passaye.
From the London Globe, Oct. Z.

from the London Globe, Oct7.
Dispatches have been received at the Admi-
ratlty from Commander Mcclure who sailed in
December, I849, in search of Sir John Franklin,
In H. M. s. Investigator, and from Captain Kel-
lett. who sailed in the spring of 1852, in II. NJ
s. ReSofute ON the same mission. We regret to
say that no traces towards success in the main
object OF their mission have been discovered
but we have been favored with communication
OF letter from Commander Mcclure, dated Fl
M. S. Investigator, Bay of Mercy, Barring Island
April 1858, which announces his success in ac
complishing the long problematcal enterprise
OF the Northwestern passage. The gallant wri-
ter states that, during the winter of 1850, his
vessel wintered IN pack, without sustaining any
damage, (and, surprising to say, he had to report
the same result at the end of the third winter
and without the loss Of single man of her crew.
in the frozen waters called Prince of Wales
Strait and communicating with Rarrow's, as he
ascertained on Goth October of that year. In Ju-
ly, 1851, he states such body of ice came
down upon Us With a strong east wind, and set
the vessel so far TO the south, that we determined
to attempt passage by the east end of the cliffs
of Banks Land, forming the north entrance of
the large island under which we now are."-1
The difficulties and dangers of the passage may
be estimated from his statement that the ice
foes encountered measured from 46 to 70 feet
beneath the water, and only or above. We,
must refer for the details, of which we cannot
now make even hurried transcript to the dis
patches, which of course will be Immediately
published.
1t is interesting to learn that inhabitants have
been discovered further northward than known
previously at Wollaston and Victoria Lands and
northward still, on the tract designated
Prince Alberts Lands. These were fOur d
ceedingy kind and friendly and great quanti-
| ties of copper were found, apparently in a very
pure state This metal is used by the natives
or edging their weapons, &C., but they ap
peared TO be amused at seeing pieces of it picked
up by the crews, as possessing value.
In April, 1852, Commander Mcclure went to
Melville Island on sledges, expecting to find
there one of Capt. Austns vessels, or, at all
events, a store of provisions; but was disap-
pointed to find only notice left by Lieut.. Nc
Clintock, saying where provisions were, and.
giving the position of their ships. 1t was in
| ferred that the search supposed to be aban-
doned, and no other vessels expected to have
come thus far
| Since October, 1851. the crew OF the Incesti-
eato, is stated to have been put on two-thirds
| allowance--half pound of meat per diem. in
climate where their commander states they could
| readily have consumed four. On the hills ada
| cent to the bay from which the letter is dated,
| large numbers of deer and other game have been
| found, which must have contributed welcome,
relief from the short-commons OF the previous
polar sojourn
| The only portion of Capt. Kelletts letters with
which we are at present acquainted, is the brief
notice dated Melville Island 9TH May, that Me
Clure had joined about fortnig ight, all well, but
half starved From Capt. McClure's own let
ters, it appears that he has already detached
some of his crew to return home by Baffin's
Bay, and small party by the Mackenzie.