Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-09-23
To he Eaito, Of Tho Horninq Herald.

SIR: 1t has often occurred to me to submit through
the medium of the public press to those with whom th9
appointment of attached Arctic discoveries rest
the injustice done in authoritative charts of the far
North, to the claims of Capt De HAVEN of the GrinDe
United States search expedition priority of discovery
of the coast Immediately northward of Wenington
Channel
Two reasons has been suggested may have ayailed
suspend any alteration Of in frstpubsked
charts Of the discoveries Of 1850 and 1851 in favor S
Capt. De Ravens claims which, in the outset, may
briefly notice: frst that the American ship Advance
ndgnedly pushed forward by besetmen in the ice into
position from whence considerable extent of new coast
line beyond Wellington Channel became visible. Bot
this circumstance, however incidental, is surely Of
consequence in regard the claim of discovery and tbs
right Of naming the places discovered Had the Arrange
ments for the voyage been utterly independent of search
discovery the title the results could not pr
cples of common usage and right be denied and far
less where the object of the adventure was the same
as with navigators, who pursued the channel
northwestward and unconscious Of what others had
gave names regions previously discovered. And,
condy, that the American claim was, at all events,
mature the probability being that Sir John Frankls
had passed that way, and matter of course all s
ceeding explorers must yield to his right Of priority But
whilst this reason if the facts and particulars should
be realized, would be unanswerabe against the claims Of
both De Haven aad Penny it could not rghtfuy avail
until the fact of anxously navigator having
passed that way and notified the region referred 10
should be established. Meanwhile the given By
Capt De Haven to the section of coast he discovered
obviously authoritative those given by Captains
original research.
1t is not my intention in this communication to 10 into
the question Of the precise extent and limits Of the visH
of new Arctic lands which Capt De Haven in his high
position in Wellington Channel obtanedfer 40 10
this there may be doubt and uncertantybut merely to
direct attention the general fact that dnds ps
discovered and attached by the discossrer
which, to me it seems claim priority in Arctic
charts ssss aasttset
My attention. personally, has been recalled to this
topic in consequence of my being presented by kis6
and valued friend with copy of DR.. Kanes interesting
narrative of the proceedings Of the United States Gr
nell Expedition" and where the names " Grnnell Landr
and DE Haven Bay" stand (and, think, rghtsnliyf
conspicuous in the illustrative chart -
Why, indeed, the remonstrances from America have
not before this time obtained their object is difficult t0
account for for nation claiming without 9neS
ton the honor of discovery of many thousands of ile
of line and insular CONGREGATIONS from Greenland
Behrng Straits the discovery in question be ofn
moment. But expedition fitted out from another
countryside munfcent offspring of private considers
ton and sympathy for long adventurershc
fruits of the gaantry Of its conductors and the perps
tua memorial to the of GRIyNELL of real i'm
portance, due equally US as just natien and 10
America benevolent one
Whatever may be done in respect to this claim in tbs
official Autographed department. in regard to which,
perhaps few persons have greater of complains
as to Arctic discoveries than myself my impression is
that official photographers and map publishers
will only require have this convncngy broughe
before them carry out in their province what mis-
take not Justly due from towards the Grinnel exp
diton am, sir yours respectfully,
AUGUST %, 1854 WM. SCORESBY-