The daily union., 1854-11-28
THE FATE OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.


SIR The question has frequently been asked of me- "How
account for few of the unfortunate party forming
the expedition under Sir John Franklin being by the
Esqumaux and for all these being found dead at near
one spot Z"
1t is my duty well my desire, give every infor
nation this distressing subject only to the relatives
and friends of the lost but also to the public at large
and the best medium of doing SO through the columns
your far and widespread Journal should you consider the
following remarks worthy of place therein:
As have not the buebooks the subject of Arctic
discoyeries by me- may make in my state
ments but as far my memory mp, the last news
had from Sir John Franklin in is45 was that he had
provisions for three somewhat more than three years
which he could make last for four Again the captain of
whaer whose forget says that the of the
Erebus and Terror when in Bans bay their passage
westward, were killing and sailing down great numbers Of
Waterfowl as resource in case of necessity"
The information obtained by me from the Esquimaux
by mode of questioning which they understood and in
which they were induced to explain the different places
where they had passed the winter since the
S49) was consider, perfectly conclusive the spring
of 1850 being the period of the melancholy catastrophe
which refer This will make the time elapsed since Sir
D. Franklin was last in Bans bay until the spring
1850, very nearly FIVE years.
Supposng that the provisions carried from England by
the expedition did last four years. by the end Of which
have doubt tine of the vessels would be much
duced in numbers and those that survived greatly debi-
tated the party would be wholly thrown tho greasy,
rancid, salted Waterfowl which believe most persons
viii agree with IN thinking would increase the fatality
of scuryy If already existed that dread disease
if il had not previously made its appearance,
This may account nationally for SO few white men hav
ing been by the natives.
Again, +" as to all the dead being found at the
same place.
Nothing is natural easily accounted for by
person of experience in the Arctic and whose mind
is properly constructed
Let us for moment picture to ourselves party of
gallant reduced by want and perhaps disease great
extremity pushing their way the mouth of large river
such the Back, the ice which they expected would
break up in short time, and permit them to embark in
their boat. Having arrived such river the strength
haya aH fh,{f fhnryn
when unattached to the sedge and the Others unable
to drag them. What step would brave take in such
difficulty? My reply would be, cling together; stop
and let the stronger endeavor to kill game for the support
of themselves and the weaker until the ice broke up then
embark turn by turn, in the boat and thus travel with
much greater and speed than when foot
To show that this opinion is not mere fancy fiction
on M part may mention that my first feeling hear
ing the mournft dings oae Of regret that had not
been with the suffering party afeeng difficult to analyze
but which must have arisen instananeousy and without
reflection from idea that my greater experience of Arc
tic travelling and hunting might have been useful to those
in extremity and danger. lr-I,
state this not anything praiseworthy coinmenda-
bic my part but to explain what think would be the
sentiments of any man having the ordinary amount of
courage and love for his fellow-man.
Anolher point t9 Vheh Wopid for moment advert is
the tragic event connected with the last days of
trymen
The Esqumaux whom at Pelly bay preceded me to
Repulse bay, and when returned living in the
friendly terms with the three left in charge of our
property there None of these understood word of
the Esqumaux language yet was informed by them, be-
fore had communicated any of my news, that they be-
leved party of white had died of starvation far
The westward and that hey had been reduced oa very
dreadful alternative before death On my asking my in
ormants how they had discovered this they replied by the
signs made them by the natives.
may be demanded why did not give all these
confederation of my statements in the report the ad
miralty? The answer is simple kept such for my more
detailed report to the honorable Hudsons Bay Company
which circumstances 70 which have alluded in previous
that appeared in paper have prevent
ed me from completing,
may add in support of what stated few days ago
regarding carrying with them useless articles hav
ing abandon their ship In the Arctic sea- that have
since learned from the best auhorjtyr John Ross him
self-that in c'ecting his wonderful escape after three
years detention in Prince Regents inlet he distributed his
silver plate amoag the men rather than leave it behind
and thus brought most of il TO England with him, /
Shouid you think these remarks worthy Of your notice
You would oblge me much by giving them insertion
have the honor TO be- sir your very obedient servant
JOHN RAE |
IAN Hnrr Nnu e