The true Democrat., 1854-11-15

scrptlon and that of the low shore in the neigh borhood of Point Ogle and Montreal Island agree exactly with that of Sir George Back Some of the bodies had been buried (probably those of the first victims of famine) some were Tn tent or tents, others under boat that had been turned over to form a shelter, and several lay scattered about in different directions Of those found on the island, one was supposed to have been an officer, as he had telescope strap ped over his shoulder and his double barreled gun lay underneath him.
 From the mutlated state of many of the corpses and the contents of the kettles, it is evident that our miserable countrymen had been driven to the resource-ca balism--as a means of prolonging life
 There appears to have been an abundant stock of ammunition, as the powder was emptied in heap on the ground by the natives, out of the kegs or cases containing it, and a quantity of ball and shot was found below high water mark, having been left on the ice close to the beach. There must have been number of watches telescopes, compasses, guns, Several double barreled,) etc., all of which appear to have been brooken up, as l saw pieces of these different articles with the Esquimaux, and, to- gether with some silver spoons and forks, pur- chased as many as 1 could obtain. A list of the most Important of these enclose, with a rough pen-and-nk sketch of the crests and initials on the forks and spoons. The articles themselves shall be handed over to the Secretary of the Hon. Il. $. & Co.,, on my arrival in London.
 None of the Esquimaux with whom l con- versed had seen the "whites," nor had they ever been at the place where the dead were found, but had their information from those who had been there, and those who had seen>the party when alive.
 From the head of Pelly Bay-which is bay, in spite of Sir H. Beaufort's opinion to the con. trary-I crossed sixty miles of land in wester- ly direction, traced the west shore from Castor and Pollux river to Cape Horter of Sir James Ross, and could have got within thirty or forty miles of Bellot Strait, but thought t useless proceeding further as 1 could not complete the whole.
 Never in my former Arctic journeys had met with such an accumulation of obstacles Fogs, storms, rough ice and deep snow we had to light agalnst. On one occasion we were four and half days unable to get glimpse of the sun, or even to make out his position in the heavens. This, on level coast, where the con- pass was ot little or no use was perplexing in the extreme
 The weather was much finer on our return journey than when outward bound, and our load being lighter, our days marches were nealy double the distance, and we arrived at Repulsed Bay on the 26th of May, without accident, ex- cept in one instance in which one of the party lost toe from frost bite
 The commencement of spring was very fine, but June and July were colder We were una ble to get out of the bay until the 9th August. Our progress along the coast as far as Cape Fullerton much impeded by ice; but on getting to the southward of the cape we had clear water, and saw no ice afterwards.
 The conduct of the men, l am happy to say, was, generally speaking, good and we had not single case af slkness all the time of our ab- Sence
 Being anxious to send this to Red river by the first boats, l write in haste and briefly, but shall have the pleasure of sending more de- tailed account by some further opportunity.
 With the utmost respect, 1 have the honor to be your very obedent servant
 JOHN RAE.
 Llst enclosed in Dr. Rae's Letter.
 CHESTS:
 No. Head of (apparently) awalrus or sea horse, with dragoons wings.
 No2--A griffin, with wings and forked tongue and tail
 No. 3-A grifin's head, with wings
 No. "A dove, with olive branch in its bill surrounded by a scroll, with the motto, Spsrc metfora.
 No. 5- A fsh's head with (apparently) coral branches on either side.
 List ot articles purchased Jrona the Esqu5naaun said to have been tound to the west, or rattle, northeast of Back' river, at the place aoaere th pa'ty of men starvea to death in Me Spring Q 1850:
 l silver table fork, Crest No.