Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-30
From the Washing ton Union.
Navy Department.


The ARcrIc EXPEDITION IN SEARCH FOR DR.
KAsE.--As much interest has been manifested,
and frequent inquiries made at the department as
TO the nature of the instructions to Lieutenant
Hartstene, commanding the Arctic expedition
for the relief of DR.. Kane and his companions,
the Secretary of the Navy has consented to their
publication:
NAVY DEPARTMENT., May IS, 1855.
Sin: A resolution Of Congress approved Feb
ruary B. 1855, authorizes the Secretary Of the
Navy s" to provide and dispatch a suitable naval
or other steamer, and, If necessary, tender, to
the Arctic seas, for the purpose OF rescuing or
atfordng relief to Passed Assistant Surgeon 4. X.
Kane, Of the United States navy, and the officers
and men under his command"
The barque Release and steamer Arctic having
been procured, and especially fitted and equipped
for this service, under your supervision and in
spection, with full rations and extra provisions
for two years, and clothing peculiarly adapted
for the climate of the Arctic regions, and such
officers and men detailed as the department, as
well as yourself, considered necessary and suffi-
cient, and the command of the expedition having
been already assigned to you, you will, SO soon
as the above named vessels are in all respects
ready for sea, proceed with them, by all means,
as early as the LIST of June in the prosecution Of
the object Of the resolution of Congress-, econo-
MIXING as much as possible in the use Of coal.
1t is understood, from reliable sources, that
you renew your supply of coal ut Way-gat
island, at which point it would seem to be advisa
bic that you should touch, unless unforeseen
circumstances admonish you to do otherwise, or
some more practicable point should be ascertain
ed by you. / will endeavor to procure and for
ward to you letters of introduction from the re-
preventative Of Denmark to the governor Of the
Danish settlements at which it may be nseful
and prudent that you should touch for the pur-
pose Of making inquiry and procuring information.
DR.. Kane sailed from New York in the Ad-
vance early in June, 1853, since which the de-
partment has received no information from him.
1t is believed, however, that intelligence was
received Of him at Uppernayick in July, 1853,
by his father Judge Kane, of Philadelphia. The
expedition was then going north, and this is the
last that has been heard from it. The depart
ment, however, learns, and deems-i it proper to
put you in possession Of the information, that it
was the intention of DR.. Kane, after leaving
Uppernavck On his way up, to make depot Of
provisions and erect beacon, &c., at Cape Alex
ander, the east cape of Smiths Sound, or. at
Cape Isabella-most probably the former. The
department further learns that it was then the
intention of DR.. Kane to pass up Smith 8 Sound,
and proceed west, and, in case it was necessary
for him to abandon his vessel, he would make for
Beechy Islanl
Should you fall in with any of Franklin's party,
your own humane feelings will suggest the pro-
priety of extending to them all the relief in your
power.
Before sailing, you will acquaint Lieut. c. c.
Simms, who has been ordered to command the
Arctic, and whom, of course, you will consider
your second in command, fully with all your
plans and intentions, and appoint places of rem
devious, SO that in the two vessels Of the ex
petition may at any time become separated each
may know where to look for the other.
You will seize any opportunity that may offer
of communicating with the Department, inform
ing it of your progress and your future move
ments and you will also take particular care to
avail yourself of every occasion for leaving as you
proceed records and signs to tell Of your condition
and intentions. For this purpose you will erect
hag-stafs, make piles of stone, other marks, in
conspicuous places, burying bottle at the base
containing your letters. Should the two vessels
be separated, you will direct Lieut.. Simms to do
likewise.
The Department has every confidence in your
judgment, and relics implicitly upon your sound
discretion. You aware Of the generous
sderaton which prompted Congress to authorize
this mission of humanity. have determined to
trust you with its execution, untrammelied by
stringent directions, ichich might embarrass you and
conflict iciM the suggestions Of circumstances and
developments of the future.
Judge Kane, the father of the Doctor. is in
possession of much important information left by
his son, to be used in the event of search for
him. This will aid you much. would suggest,
however, that you should, unless constrained by
strong hopes of future success, avoid passing a
winter in the Arctic regions, and on no account
uselessly hazard the safety of the vessels under
your command, or, what is Of more importance,
unnecessarily expose to danger the officers and
men committed to your charge. Your attention
is also especially directed to the care and preser
walton Of their health, for which hygienics have
been abundantly furnished.
transmit herewith for your information and
guidance, a copy Of the instructions to Dr. Kane,
dated November 81, 1852, as, also, copies Of
series of letters from Sir Edw. Parry, Sir Francis
Beaufort, and other Arctic authorities, written by
command Of the British Admiralty, and kindly
furnished to DR.. Kane with the object Of advanc-
ing the interests Of the expedition to which he
had been assigned by the Department.
Sincerely trusting that you may be enabled TO
carry out successfully the objects Of the expedi-
ton under your command, and that a Divine
Providence will protect you in the hazardous
terprise for which you and your companions have
so nobly volunteered
am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. c. DOBBIN.
Lieutenant Henry j. Hartstene,
United States Navy, Commanding Expedi-
ton for relief Of DR.. Kane and Companions,
New York -
The following touching letter was written on
the eve Of battle by Col. Shadforth, of the 57th,
who fell in the attack on the Redan, on the 18th
Of June
BfroRE SEBAsroPoL, !
June l7-9, p. M.
My orn beloved Wife and dearly beloved children:
AT o'clock tomorrow morning head the
57th to storm the Redan. II is, as feel, an
awfully perilous moment to me, but place my
self in the hands of our gracious God, with
out whose will a sparrow cannot fall to the
ground. place my whole trust in Him. Should
! fall in the performance Of my duty, fully re-
ly in the precious blood of our Saviour shed for
sinners, that may be saved through Him. Par
don and forgive me, my beloved ones, for any
thing may have said done to cause you one
moments unhappiness. Unto God can COM
mend my body and soul which are His and,
should il be his win that fall in the performance
of my duty, in the defence of my Queen and
my country, most humbly say, "Thy will be
done" God bless and protect you: and my
last prayer will be, that He, of His infinite good
ness, may preserve me to you. God ever bless
you, my beloved Eliza, and dearest children and
If we meet again in this world, may we all meet
in the mansion Of our Heavenly father, through
Jesus Christ. God bless and protect you; and
ever helieve me.