Thibodaux minerva., 1856-03-15
[Reported for the Journal Of Commerce
DR.. Kane on Arctic Explorations.

[Reported for the Journal Of Commercel
DR.. Kane on Arctic Explorations.
The Geographical and Statistical Society met at
the University, at the usual hour, last evening
Rev. DR.. Hawks President) in the chair Henry
Grinnell, Esq, and Hon. George Bancroft sat upon
the platform. Dr. Kane, contrary to expectation,
was not present. He is now in Philadelphia, at
tending to the publication of his book.
Dr. Hawks stated that the paper which he had
been requested to read by Dr. Kane, was Report
to the Secretary of the Navy, who had given his
consent to its use upon this occasion 1t is tech
nical account Of the Doctors last expedition to the
Arctic region Many Of the facts stated already
familiar to the public Several fresh and interest
ing disclosures were, however, made. The Doctor
reports that the island named "Louis Napoleon"
on DR.. Inglefelds chart, does not exist. The coast
Of Greenland was traced l25 miles to the north
and east During one winter the sun was l20 days
below the horizon, and there was little light even
at noon-day. The process Of freezing in certain
places was uninterrupted during the first winter.
Chloroform, essence of sassafras wintergrcen and
caloric ether (the latter in one stance) were con-
gealed. The observatory was stationed at 1887
and 7O.4O degs. The principal malady during the
season was a spasmodic disease, which affected
most of the party, and extended to the dogs, many
of which died from it. The party was too small
for field operations large scale, and the only
hope left excursion over the ice to the north.
All of the party but one were frozen in the ex-
tremities, and compelled to return to the brig.
The tendency to sleep could only be overcome by
physical violence, and when they we're brought
back, their minds were found to be temporarily
affected. The Doctor, however, made several
other journeys at times but without any remarkable
results At last by the corporations Of the Es-
quimaux and their dogs, he was more successful.
The Doctor travelled one thousand seven hundred
miles with this assistance, and made careful sur
vcy of the western coast Of Greenland He will
make separate report of the discoveries made to
the Department.
The open sea Ito which the Doctor referred on
a previous occasion) was again alluded to. At
height Of 24O feet above this it still presented
an unbroken expanse of water. This sea ap-
preached by channel free from ice The coast
ice had been destroyed by the action Of the water
A gale from the northeast Of over 80 hours dura-
ton brought no ice with it. Flocks of migratory
birds thronged the waters. To the northwest the
coast became mountainous, rising in truncated
cones. The Doctor suggested no theory to explain
these facts By the charts prepared by DR.. Kane,
the survey of the Strait and Bay, known Smiths
Sound, is completed from the point where the ex-
plorations Of Captain Inglefeld ended. During the
second winter the physical energies of the party
had declined. They had only small quantity of
provisions The dried fruit seemed to have lost its
nutritious quality They relied for their daily sup
plies on the success of organized hunting parties.
They and the Esquimaux were of mutual service to
each other. Bear meat, SEAL walrus, and ptarmi-
gan, were interchanged. The cold during the sea-
son was sometimes (-) 81. The whole party were
at length disabled. Only two members Of the
company (Dr Kane and Mr.. BonsalD were free
from scurvy. Routine-painfully enforced-was
the only means of their ultimate safety. The sun
came back on the 2lst Of February. At this time
it was found necessary to abandon the brig The
greater part of the wood work had already been
used for fuel The party started on their retreat
in three whale boats mounted on skates-with
sledges drawn by dogs, for the transport of their
sick. The cooking utensils were made from the
old stovepipe. The provisions consisted of melted
fat and powdered biscuit with the exception of tea
and few deicacies. The bedding was very COM
fortable-and that the DR.. regarded as one of the
most important requirements for safety. Nearly all
the instruments, excepting the chronometers, were
left behind During the first portion Of the journey,
dropsical swelings began to manifest themselves
among the men, In the first eight days they made
only fifteen miles-and the average afterwards was
only three and a half miles day. Continuing
their southern progress they first reached Little
toms Island. The Doctor gives graphic account
of the sufferings of the journey. He expresses
his gratitude for the continued kindness and assist
ance of the Esquimaux In 81 days the party had
walked 3l5 miles, and transported their boats over
81 miles Of ice. Here they met alternate strips of
ice and water. At that time daylight was perpet-
ual-but the usual hours Of sleep were rigidly OBJ
served. Their food at this period was eggs from
Old md mild foul Tho daily ollDwan 80
of birds at one time, was IL to man, to which
was added liberal amount of bread. On the Sd
Of August they reached the northern coast Of
Greenland, and arrived at upper Navick SO days
after leaving the Advance. They were Hospitality
welcomed by the Danish settlement. At upper
Navick they took passage in the brig Mary Ann
for the Shetland Isles, and at Disco they met the
Arctic, under Lieut.. Hartstein, which the Govern
ment had sent to their rescue.
DR.. Kane attributes the safety of the party in
many perls to the direct interposon Of Providence.
The report was received with applause.
----
The GREY EYED MAN.-The Ell Nicaraguense
has the following:
In an English work published in London in 1850,
called the Gospel in Central America, there is re-
corded singular fact This work is the only re-
liable authority this country. The author, Fred
erick Grove, was an exemplary preacher of the
Gospel, Of the Baptist persuasion. and he has re-
corded 50 many facts that the work has been sup
pressed by the British Government. He states
that there exists among the Indians an old tradi-
tionary prophecy that they would be delivered
from oppression and cruelty by the Grey-Eyed Man.
Mr. Grove, in note, adds this prophetic remark:
We would remind those who are disposed to attach
any importance to the prognostic that grey eyes
are common to the entire Angio-Saxon race, and
that the fulfment Of this prophecy may be reserved
to transatlantic descendants (the Yankees) who are
now even taking avely interest in Central America.
(See Crowe's Central American, page 248.)
This tradition is well known to many residents
now in Nicaragua to exist among the Indians, and
is religiousy believed by taem. 1t has been mar
rated by many to u.s.
If we were disposed to believe that the race Of
prophets did not die with " Isaiah and Jeremiah"
land why should they ?? We would say that this ira
dictionary prophecy has been fulfilled to the letter.
"The Grey-Eyed Man" has come. He has come
not as "Atilla, or "Guardioia," but as friend
to the oppressed and protector to the helpless aud
unoffending The prophecy is deemed by the In
dams as fulfilled; for last week we saw in Grenada
delegation of them who rarely visit this city, who
oha