Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-10-28
SECOND GRINNELL EXPEDITIONS,


vance to friend in New York. 1t is the latest
intelligence from the Expedition
SECOND GRIssELL Expedition.
Brig Advance Bo1fns Bay, July IA, 1853.
After passage which only abounded with the usual
incidents of ocean life arrived upon the coast Of Green
one, owing to the universal head winds and Gains
encountered
The barrenness Of Greenands icy mountains " has
long held place in my imagination, but was unpre-
pared for the absolute desoaton which greeted Peak
after peak rose abruptly from the very waters edge and
the interior seemed TO be continued waste of
capped submits Not single foot of level land soil
was to be seen, and the rocks told mournful tale Of
sterity. Although water poured plentfully from the
hills even the usual surface vegetation which follows
streams at home seemed entirely wanting Why should
have received the of Greenland is puzzle to me-
Such as itis however, with its verna cognomen, it
doubtless early discovered and occupied the Iceanders
and Norwegians, and when the suspended intercourse
with the Old World gave rise to the fable of lost
Greenland its discovery due to Frobisher Cabot
those ndomitabe Arctic pioneers. To the efforts of
single man, Hans Egede, the Greenland Apostle"
he is termed by the Lutheran Church. the Greenland of
the present century whatever possesses cvza
ton and christianity We made the coast near Godsha
lar the Of his early abors and write from point
nearly opposite that neates aud most fourshng of its
settlements, Egedisminde, "the Nunnery of Egedi"
On the 10Th, being becalmed off Fiskemaes, we dis
patched boat up the Fiord look out for the town.
Returning soon with pilot boat and crew from the Gov
ernor stood in, and in short time in sight of
the first Greenland town had yet 1t was in keep
ing with the scenery around In the midst of Esqumaux
huts the only mansion, the residence of the Cover
nor, most kind hearted old gentleman full Of Scandi-
navian hospitality and fond of his wife, his children and
his pipe. The courteses of his humble mansion were
cordially extended US and after breaking bread with
his Exceency we felt quite as much OF home board
our little brig from the cramped quarters of which we
were by means sorry to be for short time relieved
The official letters brought by commander from the
Court of Denmark were anticipated by the cordial kind
feeling OF the authorities Every care was extended
the expedition, and we departed with goodly supply of
Goldfish and Esqumaux hunter whose rayaek and lance
are expected by DR.. Kane to keep his dog in food.
Sukkertoppen was our next port quiet little glen,
shut in by rocks and looking its barren solitude Here
in single hour we laid in reindeer fars dogs harness
and moccasins filed water casks stood out to sea-
PROVEN, July 20, 1858,
Proven is not unlike the settlements previously visited
except that in being farther to the NORTH its inhabitants
are proportonatey more poor and wretched 1t is with
exception, the most northern of the Danish settle
ments the threshold Of the great barrier of Melville
Bay The scenery around presents the barren pic
uresqueness characteristic Of the Greenland Here
resides the royal Inspector clever old Dane possessing
small fortune obtained through his Office an Eseuimaux
wife, and good beer His one-story mansion, looking
almost old as the hills presented grand appearance
besides the miserable huts of the natives Built they
are of stones covered with sod for winter and
seal skins for summer they look like the houses of
burrowing animals than any thing human. Poor crea-
lures! their only pasture ground the sea, affords them
their condition is truly deplorable 4
1t is the custom of the coast brought from the father
land to set before the stranger the welcoming cup Of
coffee after partakng which, like the salt Of the Arabs
he may consider himself at home. This custom extends
from the Governors house to the natives hut good
coffee do they make AT the inspectors signal credit is
due good Esqumaux hostess for her skill in coffee
making and the natural with which she did the
honors of the house.
We have here procured some fifteen or twenty Esuui
dogs, but as the number is less than half supply
we will be obliged to stop at Appernavik, twenty miles
further TO the northward These dogs necessary
part Of an Esquimaux settlement, and seem to minge
with the natives in about equal numbers and of
the greatest familiarity living in many in the
game hut. 5aiG
Proven and the c vilized world at our backs
we shall in hour be pushing forward to the Of
explorations This is you aware Smith Sound
How far shall be able penetrate with vessel into
this unknown region will depend upon the point which
nature has thrown up her mpenerable ice barrier It's
waters have only yet been sighted by previous
of the REGION and have every hope that
be able to conduct exploration into this unknown
and mysterious quarter of planet Once arrived at
the terminus of voyage winter quarters will be Sc
ected point protected the northward and westward
by prominent headland against the floating ice in
the early spring In this selection great experience
Judgment are required but in our commanders sagacity
we have every confidence. Here shall be frozen in
during the long nine winter months during which period
the search for franklin will be made
For this search the most active preparations going
Once AT ancn0T, hours Will expire before
boat and sleigh party will out to continue that which
could be accomplished with the vessel This party
will consist of nne all of whom have believe been
leced all hands have volunteered but the Doctor is
not very communicative to his Intentions and we are
in ignorance to who will be its fortunate members
They take with them of the light India rubber boats
constructed by Mr.. Bennett and dogs.
The great object Of this expedition will be pave the
way for future operations in the spring For this pur
pose they carry with them stock of provisions consist
ing of pemcan, preserved meats meat biscuit &c., with
few luxures, to be left at different pointson the way
The boat, the Forlorn Hope for she is called is SO
constructed to propel either ice wateron ice by
eight operating against wooden bars dashed athwart
the boat while the Doctor will lead off in advance to ex
plore the track The stern is covered with India rub
Der cloth tent to protection by night and cook
ing apartment by day.
Since leaving Fskemaes we have lived almost exclu
syey upon the products of the region little animal food
being used but birds and fish, species of Goldfish is
almost constant food and, although most delicate
morse has often shown itself table as to have
become very unpopular The elder, with several of the
uria, of the lorno, the little aux, Greenland
dove, the black guillemo and others becoming
every day dsh and most decided Improvement over
salt beef Yesterday, while excursion to settle
ment twenty miles to the southwark for the purpose of
procuring dogs, we stopped at little island and in
few minutes procured several fine elders and large
number Of eggs In few hours could have shot hun
dreds if not thousands and obtained many eggs as
would have laden boat. fire, made upon the sand
from the fragments Of broken oar roasted for
rich repast Of ducks and eggs ever mortal need
wish With water and the other Deccssares which
good steward had the precauton and kindness put
aboard boat made teddy and tea and enjoyed our
feast In short time win make it business to
lay in large supply Of the different birds that abound
as one principal articles of food and luxury