Washington sentinel., 1854-01-11
open sea, and northward of the continent of

open sea, and northward of the continent of
North America and Asia.
The men of Captain Mcclure passed on the
ice over to Melyilles island, and left at Winter
Harbor note stating where they were. A
party of Captain Kelletts men found it, and
they went Immediately to Captain McClure's
vessel. Sir John Franklin, had he been in
Captain McClure's position, might have had
communication with Winter Harbor, as it is
but one hundred and sixty miles distant but if
he were twice the distance off he would be
greatly embarrassed in making the journey.
The more recent navigators provide them
selves with description of food, pemmican,
which, from its compactness, may be carried
long distances with great ease; and they use
description of boats and sleds altogether SUI
perior to those formerly used. Pemmican is
made of beef subjected to drying process, in
which seyenty-fve per cent. of the raw mate
rial passes off in evaporation. The boats Of
Captain Mcclure are spoken of as weighing
but eighteen pounds.
The Advance is well supplied with food and
boats suitable for very long expeditions on land.
The evidence presented by Captain Mcclure
and others as to the quantity Of food supplied
by those regions, is very conclusive to show that
an expedition locked upon the ice as his is may
subsist for years without difficulty.
Renewed confidence has been impaired to all
those who are familiar with Arctic discoveries
as to the chance Of the safety of Sir John
Franklin. The chances of his being discovered
are also greatly increased. There are now en-
gagged in this service the Advance, already
mentioned, which is probably sailing in the
open sea seen by Captain Inglefeld along the
edge of its numerous bays.
Sir Edward Belcher, with his ship and pro.
peller, was in Wellington's inlet on the Goth
of July last, on his return to Beechy Island,
there to wait further orders from his govern
ment He will probably receive orders to con-
ship and propeller, is at Melville's island He
has sent out several sledge expeditions to the
west and north. They are close upon the
supposed track of Franklin
Captain McClure's ship, imbedded in the ice,
may be converted into storeship to aid future
expeditions. The North Star storeship lies at
Beechey island, on the north side of Yelling
tons inlet. There is also storeship at Point
Barrow, on the northwest coast Of North
America. Captain Collinson, who went up
Behring's straits, and was last heard of in Au-
gust, 1851, is prosecuting the search.
The propeller Isabel is now at Valparaiso,
whence she will proceed next spring through
Behring's Straits to explore the coast along the
north Of Asia, in the hope Of getting round the
pack ice which has always been found north
Of Behring's Straits. This expedition was fit
ed out by the private means Of Lady Franklin.
Part Of the American exploring expedition,
under the command of Com. Ringgold, con-
sisting of five vessels, will undoubtedly aid in
this object. This feet was at the Cape of Good
Hope by the last accounts, received in Septem-
ber. Some of the vessels viii attempt to pass
through Behring's Straits.
The propeller Phoenix, which bore Captain
McClure's dispatches to England, has been or
dered by the british government to leave Eng
land in the spring, bound to the Arctic re-
gions by new route, between Spitzsbergen
and Nova zembla. The activity thus impaired
to this great humane object gives confidence
that it will eventuate in success.
-@1S 5' Journal of Commerce.