The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-12-29

Ascertafmed.


The Death Of SIR John Prankiin
Ascertained.
We find in the Minnesota Pioneer and De-
mocrat, says the Statesman, report Of The
discoveries of an exploring party sent out
BY the British Government, to obtain addi-
tional information, u possible, Of the fate Of
Sir JoHx FRANKLTN's parry, to that brought
back by DR.. RAE. The party was under
the charge of JAMES GREEN STEWART, a
chief trader Of the Hudson Bay Company,
and M. JAMES ANDERSON, another employee
of the Company. The party started from
the Carlton House, in 81 deg. North lati-
tude, on the 7th Of January, 1866, and pro-
ceeded to Fort Chipewyau, at the head Of
Lake Athabssea, in latitude So deg, where
they arrived on the 9th of March. Here they
remained until the 26th of May, making
boats and preparing togo to the Arctic sea
by water, when they resumed their journey
down the Peace river, and on the s0th OF
May arrived at Fort Resolution, which is
situated on an island in Slave Lake about
latitude l6'deg. North
At Fort Resolution the party was joined
by Mr.. Anderson, who, with Mr.. Stewart,
had been appointed to the command Of the
expedition. Here another delay was made
for the purpose Of reorganization, and max
ing the last preparations, before attempting
to penetrate the interminable frozen North.
These arrangements completed, the party
started out on the 22d of June for the head
of Great Fish river, or as il is known on the
map, Back river, in latitude about "a deg.
North. Thence they followed the course Of
the stream to the Arctic ocean. Mr. Stew
art represents the navigation Of this river as
exceedingly dangerous-being obstructed by
over one hundred difficult rapids. Over all
these, however, with nothing more substan-
tial than birch bark canoes, they passed in
safety, and arrived at its mouth on the 3oth
of July.
Here they met with Esquimaux, who cor
roboratcd the reports OF DR.. Rae, and direct
ed them to Montreal Island, a short distance
from the mouth of Back river, as the spot
where, according to their instructions,
they were to commence minute explora'
tons. From this time until the 9th Of Au-
gust. the party were industrously engaged
in searches on the island, and on the main
land, between 81 deg. and SO deg. north lat
itude. We cannot recapitulate the perils es-
capped, and privations endured, by the brave
band while seeking TO find traces of their
countrymen who had periShed on those des-
olate shores. Three times they providen-
tally escaped being "npped," as Mr.. Stew
art expressed it, or crushed between NOV ing
mountains Of ice.
At last, on Montreal Island, where their
explorations commenced, they found snow
shoes, known to be of English make, with
the name of DR.. Stanley, who was Surgeon
of Sir. John Fraklin's ship, the Erebus, Gu,
| in them by knife. Afterwards they found
on the same island boat belonging to the
franklin expedition; with the name of"Ter-
ror" still distinctly visible. A piece of this
boat containing this name was brought along
with him by Mr.. Stuart. Among the Esqui-
maux were found iron kettles corresponding
in shape and size with those furnished the
franklin expedition, and bearing the mark
ofthe British Government. Other articles
known to have belonged to the expedition,
were obtained from the Esquimaux, and
brought. by the party for deposit with the Eng
lish Government. No bodies, however; were
found, or traces of any. The report of the
Esqumaux was, that one man, died ca Mon
treal Island, and the balance of the party
wandered on the beach of the main land op-
poste, until worn out with fatigue and star
vation, they one by one, laid themselves
down and died too.
The Esquimaux reported further that In
dams far to the north Of them, who had seer
the ships of Franklin's party, and visited
them. stated tina, they had both been crushed
!, between the icebergs. Mr.. Stewart tool
especial pains to- ascertain whether the par
ty had come to their death by fair mean
or foul. But TO every inquiry, the Esqdi
maux protested that they had died of star
vation.
The party began their return journey oil
the 9th of August, and reachd st. Paul OF
the / lth inst which place Mr.. Stewart lei
on the 18th from the Hudson Bay head quar-
ters at Lucheve, Canaday to make his re
: port.
!: The Pioneer says "no traces were foun
:. by the Esquimaux to Indicate that even
their last extremity they had forgotten the
!; manhood, and peyed on one another"