The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-11-10
The last Earthly Resting Place OF sIi
.TOlan Franklin. .sEa....

he recent ana HiOIf1tDtOuS
John Franklin has naturally awakened a CURIOSITY
to know something more OF its sponsors and OF
The character OF the climate and country IN which
Sir John Franklin seems to have persisted 3
Mr. Rae, the author Of the despatch, has been
in the employ of The Hudson's Bay Company lor
more than twenty years, and has long enjoyed the
reputation OF being one Of its boldest and most
capable officers. In l846-7 he was appointed by
the company 10 the command OF an expedition q"
explore and survey the unknown portion oil the
northeast angle OF the American continent The
expedition, consisting of thirteen persons, started
from Fort Churchill in July, 1916, and after en-
during almost unparalleled hardships and over
coming incredible difficulties accomplished the OBJ
feet for which it undertaken, having traced
the coast OF America between Lord Mayors Bay
to within eight or ten miles of Fury and Hecla
strait, and proving Boothio Felix to be pcninsuar
The London Times of November /. l047, con-
tains very unassuming but highly satisfactory
despatch from Mr.. Rae TO the governor Of The COM
pany, setting forth the nature and extent of his
discoveries He and his party arrived again III
safety at York Factory-the place where The last
traces of Sir John Franklin were discovered-in
September, 1S47, after an absence Of only htlle
over year.
Sir George Simpson has been Governor Of the
Uudson's Bay Company for twenty years and up
wards He is the author 'sof Simpsons Overland
Journey around The World IN lS4l-2," published
in London in IS47, which contains more iniorna-
ton about the population, geography and physical
condition O.! that portion of our globe ing north
Of the telh parallel Of latitude than be found
in any other book. In that expedition he displayed
all the most desirable qualities of hero traveller
and geographer.
For desert ption Of the country and climate
about Y ork Fort, where the last traces of Sir John
Franklin were seen in 1850, we have referred 10
the pages of work entitled THE fIudsons Bay
Territories and Vancouver's Island, with an Ex.
position Of the Chartered Rights, Conduct and
Policy ofthe Honorable HudsoH's Bay Corporation,
by r. M. Martin, Author of the History of the
British Colonies, &C." published in I849, from
which we quote the following;
s.The northern territory, which was very imper-
fecy explored until the recent Journeys Of Dease,
Simpson and Rae, from 1887 10 l847, is inter-
sected with lakes, marshes and rivers TO a greater
extent than any part of the known globe; and it
would seem as if the inner springs of the earth
there burst forth. Some parts investigated are
truly regions Of desolation vegetation ceases in
the latitude OF sixty degrees north-no. land is
seen capable OF cultivation the whole surface is
rugged and uneven, and the open valleys nearly
devoid Of all vegetable productions. The soil at
Churchill Fori, Zone of the Hudson's Bay Compa.
ny's Stations in latitude ffy-nine degrees north)
on the shores of the bay, is extremely barren,
rocky, dry, and without woods for several miles
inland; a few arden vegetables are with difficulty
reared. At York Fort in latitude fifty seven de.
grees, two minutes, longitude ninety three degrees
west, the soil is low and marshy, and equally un
productive and, though the trees are larger than
those inland OF Fort Churchill They are still knotty
and dwarfsh. The country around the factory,
although elevated above the river, is one entire
swamp, covered with low stunted pine, and per-
lec1ly impenetrable, even in July, when it is in
tested by clouds of mosquitoes. The land seems
10 have been thrown up by the sea, anG is never
thawed during the hottest summer, with the ther
momcter at ninety degrees TO one hundred degrees
in The shade, more than ten or twelve inches, and
then the soil is of the consislence Of cammy mud;
even in the centre Of the factory il is necessary
keep OF the platforms to avoid sinking the
ankles. About Albany Fort, in ffty.tNo degrees
north, and Moose Fort in fiGy. one degrees twenty.
eight minutes, the climate more temperate, the
soil better, and potatoes and garden produce are
reared, but with difficulty.
"Proceedlng further west, the temperature i'm,
proves, but all around Hudson's Bay, PARTICULAR
at Fort Churchill, the climate is extremely severe;
and from the middle Of October to the middle of
Mag the country is buried under snow. The ice
does not break up generally until July, and at
York Fort, TWO degrees south of Churchill, tho
thermometer in January has been al fifty degrees
pSto" LCIO. 4IftH III IDOIlS dt TIE Wnefe
q fire is perpetuaIly kept up, brandy freezes into
solid substance The rivers and lakes ten or twelve
feet deep, are frozen 10 the bottom, aud the Hud
sons Bay Company's European servants are OBJ
lged to observe the greatest caution against the I
effects Of cold air, which is frequently filed with |
small particles OF angular ice, and driven By the
wind against The face or hands, raises the skin in
" bite bisters, which break out ih thin watery is
sues. As soon as room is thoroughly heated |
and the cmbers burnt down, the top oil the chin.
ney is closed as to exclude The air, yet the walls
of the apartments are found covered with ice two
% three inches thick.* The Europeans in The
service oi the Hudson's Bay Company, notwith.
standing their precautions, and the use of a large
quantity owoollens and furs, are fcqnenlly FROST.
oltIen, and many Of the natives fall victims 10 the
severity Of the climate. = W. ,sa-Faz sa |
The sun is often obscured for weeks by thick
ogs, which caused by watery vapors ascend.
hg from the sea, which, being condensed by cold,
lang all around The coast, and extend inland to |
considerable Distance The mock suns and
moons, called paralIeiIa aud paraseiene, appear
very frequently IN the coolest months The lem.
oeraiure Of the air is subject TO the most capri.
cious variations; rain sometimes falls abundantIyt
With serene sky, the vii! burst forth in
he midst of The heaVies: showers Such is the
-eglon in which several of the Hudson's Bay com.
oany's establishments are sifuaied, and which
,ouJ not be maintained but for The possession OF
'ome more temperate regions, from whence food
5 procurable." E-sz