The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-10-18
INTERESTING DOCUMENT.

The narration of the expedition of the steamer
Foe to the Arctic Seas in search of Sir John
Franklif has been published, and it possesses 6
most commanding interest. The Foe was fitted
out and dispatched by Lady Franklin in the Spring
and Summer of 1857. Capt F. L. McClintock
commanded the expedition, and proved himself
eminently worthy of the noble trust The nara
ton is from his pen and will form vivid chapter
in the history of the Polar ploratiOns which have
been instituted since the loss of Franklin and his
men.
We regret that the length of this valuable docu.
ment prevents us from inserting it entire in oul
columns We however insert below that portion
of it which possesses the most thrilling interest, in
which is related the discovery of the relics and
record conveying information of the fate of the
gallant Navigator, which it the great object OF
the expedition to obtain. Says Capt. McChntock:
Recrossing the Strait to King Williams Island
continued the examination of its southern shore
without success, until the oath Of May, when about
ten miles eastward of Cape Herschel bleached
skeleton was found, around which lay fragments of
European clothing Upon carefully removing the
snow a small pocket-book was found, containing a
few letters These, although much decayed, may
yet be dcciphered. Judging from the remains of
his dress this unfortunate young man was stew
ard or officers servant, and his position exactly
verified the Esquimaux s assertion that they drop
ped as they walked along.
On the 9th of May Lieutenant Hobson pitched
his tent beside large carn upon Point Victory.
Lying among some loose stones which had fallen
from the top of the cairn, was found small tin
case containing record, the substance of which is
briefly as follows:
"This cairn was built by the Franklin expedi-
ton, upon the assumed site of Sir James Ross pill
lar. which has not been found The Erebus and
Terror spent their first Winter at Beechy Island,
after having assembled Wellington Channel lat II
deg N, and returned by the West side of Cornwall
lis Island. On the 18th of September, 1916, they
were beset in lat. 20 05 N. and long. SO % w
Sir John Franklin died on the 18th of June, 1S47.
On the 22d of April, 1S4s, the ships were aban-
doned five leagues to the N. N. w. of Point Victo-
ry, and the survivors, l05 in number, landed here
under the command of Captain Crozer."
This paper was dated April 25th, 1913, and
upon the following day they intended to start for
the Great Fish River. The total loss by deaths in
expedition up to this date was nine officers and ff
teen men.
vast quantity of clothing and stores of all sorts
lay strewed about, as if there every article was
thrown away which could be possibly dispensed
with; pckaxes, shovels, boats, cooking utensils,
ironwork, rope, blocks, canvas, dip circle, SEX
tant engraved "Frederic Horribly, r. n" small
medicine chest oars, &c.
A few miles southwark, across Black bay, a sec
ond record was found, having been deposited by
Lieutenant Gore and Nj. DIES Veux in May, lS47.
1t afforded no additional information.
When in latitude SO 90 n, and long. SO p W.,
we came to a large boat, discovered by Lieutenant
Hobson few days previously, as his notice inform
ed me. 1t appears that this boat had been intend
ed for the ascent of the Fish River, but was aban
dOned apparently upon a return journey to the
ships, the sledge upon which she mounted be-
ing pointed in that direction. She measured %
feet in length by u feet wide, was most carefully
fitted, and mado light possible, but the sedge
was of solid oak and almost as heavy the boat.
A large quantity of clothing was found within
her, also two human skeletons. One Of these lay
in the after part of the boat, under pile of cloth
ing the other, which was much more disturbed,
probably by animals, was found in the bow. Five
pocket watches, quantity of silver spoons and
forks, and few religious books were also found,
but no journals pocket books, or even names upon
any articles of clothing Two double-barreled guns
stood upright against the boats side precisely
they had been placed eleven years before One
barrel in each was loaded and cooked; there
ammunition in abundance, also so or 10 lbs of
some tea and tobacco. Fuel was not
wanting; drift tree lay within 100 yards of the
boat
Many very interesting relics were brought away
by Lieutenant Hobson and some few by myself.
On the 9Th of June l reached Point Victory with
out having found anything further. The clothing,
&C.. again examined for documents, note books,
&C., without success record placed in the cairn,
and another buried ten feet true north of it.
Nothing worthy of remark occurred upon my
return journey to the ship, which reached on
the 10Th Of Juns( five days after Lieutenant Hob
son.