The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-01-17
SIR JOHN PARRY's OPINION OF THE FATE OF
FRANKLIN


At Lynn, few days ago, Sir John Parry
said: 81 can form but single idea as 10 the
probable fate Of Franklin. do not agree with
our friend Gurnoy Crosswoll about the ptoba-
bility of both ships having gone down, and
nothing been seen of them, because, although
it is true that nothing might be seon of the
ships themselves, do not believe tho crows
would have all porished at one moment,
think there is that stuff and stamina in l20
Englishmen, that somehow or other they would
have maintained themselves as we'll as parcel
of Esquimaux would. They would have found
the Esqumanx. and thero would have been
something like n trace of them if they had been
on earth. The only thing which can sug-
gest is this:
"Welngton Strait was discovered by myself
on tho expedition l spoke Of 1t is u large
opening from Lancaster Sound. Whom was
going up westward from Melville Island, we
saw Wellington Strait perfectly free from ice,
and so marked it on my chart. 1t was not
my business to go north as long as | could get
west, and therefore We ran pasi and did not
examine it. But it has always been favorite
idea of those who imagined the northwest pas
sage was to DO easily mado by going north
That wo know was tho favorito idea OF Frank
lin, and we know no did intend, If no could get
westward, TO go up Wellington Channel. We
have it from his own lips. My belief is still
that after tho first winter no did go up that
channel, and that, having stoam power, (Which
| had not in my timo,) it is possible ho may
have gono up in favorable season.
"You cannot imagine anything moro differ
ent than favorable and unfavorablo season
in those regions. You cannot imagine the
changes that take place in tho ice there.
have been myself sometimes besot for two OF
threo DAYS together by tho ice in such n way
| from tho masthead | could not SEQ sufficient
water to float bottle in, and in twenty -four
hours thcro was not bit of leo to DO seen
nobody could tell why; and yon might have
called about rs you may in your own river. as
far as ice is concerned. Therefore, in favor
able soasoa, may have gono up that inlet
and may, by the power of steam and favorable
circumstances, have got so far TO the northwest
that in an ordinary season he could not col
back again. And those who know Franklin
know this--that ho would push on year after
year so long as his provisions lasted. Nothing
could stop him. lIo was not a man to look
back if ho beloved tho thing possible. lie
may have got beyond tho reach of our search
ing parties, for Sir Edward Delcher has moi
been able to get far up. and wo have not beor
able to get the investigation completed. Ii
speaking of Franklin, evjry ono will foel sor
row Tor his probable fate. My dear frlenC
Franklin was sixty years old when he loft th
country, and shall never forget the zeal, tn,
almost youthful enthusiasm, with which tha
man entorod upon that expedition. Lord Had
dington, who was then first Lord of the Admi
rality, sent for me, and said 81 500 by look
ing at the list, that Franklin is now about sixt,
years old Do you think we ought to lot hin
90: said, "Ife is filter man to go than an,
know, and if you don't let him go, tho mar
will dio of disappointment" Ho did 60, ant
has boon gone these eight years; and therefore
loavo i, TO yourselves to consider what is tn,
probability of the life of that excellent an
valuable man. In tho whole course of my ex
perence l never knew q man like Franklin
4 do not say it because he is dead-upon th
principle, de'mortuis nil nisi bonum; but neve
knew man in whom different qualities wer
more remarkably combined.-- In my dea
friend Franklin. with all the tenderness of hear
of simple child, there was all tho greatnes
and magnanimity of hero. IL is recorded o
that man that no would not oven kill a mosquit
that was singing him. But whether that b
true or not it is true type of the tenderness o
his heart.