The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-11-26
The Fate OF Sir John Franklin.

The Fate OF Sir John Franklin.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE LONDON TMBs.
SR-The question has frequently been asked Of
me, How can account for so few of the unfortu-
nate party forming the expedition under Sir John
Franklin being seen by the Esqumaux, and Tor all
these being found dead at or near one spo.?"
Is my duty, as well as my desire, 70 give every
Information on TIL. distressing subject, not only TO
the relatives and friends Of the Lost men, but also
TO the public at large; and the best medium of
doing so 10 through the columns of your far aud
wide spread Journal, should you consider the follow
ing remarks worthy OF place therein.
As have no. the blue-books on the subjec. of
Arctic discovery by me, may make some error in
my statements; but, as far az my memory serves
me, the last news we bad from Sir John Franklin,
in 1916, was that he had provisions for three, or
somewhat more than three years, which he could
make last for four. Again, the captain of whaler,
those name forget, says that ..the crews Of the
passage westward, were killing and sailing down
great numbers of waterfo vi, AZ q resource in case
Of necessity"
The Information obtained by me from the Esqui-
stood, and in which they were induced to explain
the different places where they had passed the
winter seasons since the year 1s4o) was, consider,
perfectly conclusive as to the spring Of 1850
which refer. This will make the time elapsed
Hince Sir j. Franklin was last seen in Bafius 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 no doubt the crews of the vessels
would be much reduced IN numbers, and those that
survived greatly debilitated) the party would be
xhGlly THROWN on the greasy, rancid, saltsd @ater
fowl, which believe most persons will agree with
me IN thinking would increase the fatality Of scurvy,
It already existed, or came that dread disease If
hnsd not previously made it's appearance,
This may account ration sliy for SO few white men
having been seen by the natives.
Again, las to ali the deal being found at or near
the same place.
Nothing is more natural or more easily accounted
Tor by person Of experience in the Arctic Seas,
and VIII Sc mind is properly constructed.
Let us for moment picture to ourselves party
OF gallant men redus ed by want, and perhaps dis.
ease TO great extre uity, pushing Their way to the
mouth Of large river such as the Back the ice on
which they expected would break no in q short
time and permit them to embark in their boat.
Having arrived near such river the strength Of ome
unattached to the sisdge, and tae Others were M.
able to drag them. What step would brave men
take in such diff uty Ny reply would bs--cling
togetherstop and let the stronger endesvor to XII
gene for the support Of themselves and the weaker
until the ice broke up, then embark, turn by ura,
In the boat and thus travel with much greater eass
and speed than when on foot.
To show that this opinion Is not mere fancy or
fiction or my art, may mention thst M first
feeiiI on hearing the mournful tidings one Of
regret that had not cen with the suffering party
"a feeling difficult to analyze, bu. which must
have arisen instsntaneously and ~i.hout reflection
travelling and huntiog mil ht have been useful to
those in extremity and danger.
state tnis not as anything praisew 1rthy or com
mendab'e on my Uart. hut to explain what / think
would be the sentiments OF aoy man having the
ordinary amount Of courage and love for his fellow
man.
Another point to which would for moment
advert is the tragic event connected with the last
DAYS II our count try men,
The Esquimaux whom saw at Pelly Bay preced
ed me to Repulse Bay snd, when I returned, were
living in the most friendly terms with the three
men lefs in arge Of our property there. None Of
these men understood word OF the Esquimaux
language, yet was informed by them, before had
communicated any Of my news, that they believed
. party Of volts msn had died OF starvation far to
the west yard, and that they had been redu ,ed to
very dreadful! alternative before death. On my ask
ing my iBformaoys how they hs1 discovered tlis
they replied by tae signs mad de them b. tie natives
II may be demanded why did not give sll'these
report to the Az miralty? The answer is simple:
kept such 70. my detailed report to the Hon.
HudeoD's Say Company, which circumstances, to
which have alluded in previous communication
that sppearad in your paper, have prevented me
from com letting.
may add, 10 support Of what stated few days
ago regarding men carrying with the useless ART
cles on having TO abandon taeir ship la the Arctic
Sea- that have SINE learned from the best aushori
ty- Sir John Ross bimself-that in effscting HIS
wonderful, escsae, after three years deteutou in
Prince Regents loet he distributed bis silver plate
thus brought most of Il 70 England with h m.
Should you tpink these remarks WORTHY or your
notice, you would oblige me much by giving than
insertion. have the honor to be, SIR, you- very
Cbedieoi servant, JOHN RAE.
1svistcck Hotel, Nov.G.
The Maine Law In the United States and
Canada.
from the london Chronicle, Nov. 10.1
It s stated that the new Canadian Parliament has
sisDalsed Itself by passing bill, by the enor-
NOUS majority of 80 70 s, for prohibiting the ma
nufsctue and sale Of Intoxicating li1nors. And
tbe fact Is MOI improbable, since, 10 the las Par
lament, a similar measure was only def-atei by
. narrow majority, and il is well koown tnas
lac teeto'si psrty made o great effort at The
recent elections. Canada ia the SC ,oni English
colony which has given Ia her adhesion to the prin
cipIe Of the Maine Liquor law of 1861; and it Is
significant tnat she has gone be, oDd New Bruins
wick IN the severity of her penal prohibitions The
New brunswick lay OF lS52 pernits the sale OF
malt liquors and cider; but the Canada law.
by inseIdicting, in the most general terms.
both tie manufacture and sale OF all intox,ca,.