Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-10-05

little way inland or eastward of Cape Vic
Tory. Knowing, as | now do, the characte
of the Esquimaux in that part Of the coun
try in which King Williams Land is situa
ted, cannot wonder at nor blame the Re
pulse Bay natives for their refusal 20 remaii
there as l desired. It is quite probable tha
had we remained as l wished no one OF u
would ever have got out OF the country alive
How could we expect, il we had got int
straitened circumstances. that we shonlC
have received better treatment from the Es
qu:maux of that country than the 150 soul
who were under the command of the heroic
Crozier, some time after the landing or
King Williams Land? Could 1 and my
party, with reasonable safety, have remained
to make summer search on King William
Land, it is not only probable that we should
have recovered the logs and journals OF Sil
John Franklin's expedition, but have gath
cred up and entombed the remains OF nearly
100 OF his companions, for they lie about the
places where the three boats have been
found, and at the large camping place at thu
head OF Terror Bay, and the three othel
places that have already mentioned. Ia
the Cove, west side of Poiut Richardson,
however, Nature herself has opened hei
bosom and given sepulture to the remains ol
the immortal heroes that died there.
| Wherever the Esquimaux have found the
/ graves of Franklin's companions they have
/ dug them open aud robbed the dead, leaving
them exposed to the ravages of wild beast
4 On Todd's Island the remains OF five mel
were not buried, but, after the sayages had
robbed them of every article that could be
turned TO any account for their use, theil
dogs were allowed to finish the disgusting
work.
Wherever found that Sir John Frank
Inns companions had died l erected monu
menls, then fired salutes, and waved tho
star-spangled banner over them in memory
and respect of the great and true discoverers
of the Northwest Passage. | could have
gathered great quantilies-a very great va.
Iiety-Of relics of Sir John Franklin's eXpe-
dilion for they are now possessed by ma
tives all over the Arctic regions that ylsi-
ted or heard of, from Ponds Bay to Mack
cnzie river. AS il was l had to be satisfied
with taking upon our sledges about l25
pounds total weight of relics from natives
| about King Williams Land. Some of these
| will merate:-First-A portion Of one
side (seVeral planks and ibis fast together)
| of boat, clinker built and cOpper.iastened.
This part of boat is of the one found near
the boat found by McClntock's party. Sec
ond-A small oak sedge runner, reduced
from the sledge on which the boat rested.
Third-PaTt of the mast Of the Northwest
Passage ship. Fourth -Chronometer box,
with its number, name OF maker, ana the
Queens broad arrow engraved upon H..
Finh-TwO long heavy sheets of copper,
three and four inches wide, with counter
sunk holes for screw nails. On these sheets,
as well as on most everything else that came
from the Northwest Passage ship, are nu-
merous stamps of the Queens broad arrow.
Fifth-Mahogany writing desk, elaboraely
finished, and bound in brass. Sixth-Many
pieces of ilverplaie-forks and spoons
bearing crests and initials of the owners.
Seventl-parts of watches. Eightl-Knyes
and very many other things, all of which
you, Mr.. Grinnell, and others interested in
the fate of the Franklin expedition, will take
sad interest in inspecting on their arrival
in the States.
must now tell you Of The heait-rending
iragical part of my expedition before con.
clude this rapid, and, l must add, incom-
plete report; for, after all, it is but a drop in
the bucket to giving you full idea of the
vast amount OF Interesting and important
information l have gained of the natives
about Repulse Bay, Ig.loo-llk, Pelly Bay,
Neitchille, Great Fish or Back River, ant
King Williams Land relative 10 the fate o
Sir John Franklin's expedition.
In the spiibg Ui 1865 started .fcsl Re
pulse Bay on dog sledge journey 10 Kinl
Williams Land. My company was entirely
of natives, and on our getting about tw,
hundred miles on our way we met party o
Pely Bay natives who were fleeing frou
their country on account OF war" raging
there. The effect on my company was tina
on no consideration could they be induced
TO proceed further, and, therefore, terrible
as was the blow 10 my plans, had to turi
back, trusting that / could succeed in get
ling a small band of fiithful white men on
of some whale ships, II they should happily
| alrn nj 10 ri
of 1867 was l able 10 get the desired numbe
of white men to accompany me, besides M
Esquimaux interpreiers--Joe and Hannal
AS an escort of defence, while making thJ
long delayed sledge journey to King vii
liam's Land, and even then 1t was only a
the very last moment-thAt is, while TIN
whaling vessels were weighing anchor ant
starring lor the States-that was successful
The result of my taking seamen that neithe
/ nor their captains knew much about pfovel
as many would expect. One of tue men
Frank Lailer, ever proved during the yea
employed the party of five men mos
faithful, hard working and energetic man
fulfilling every position in which l plaCet
him with ability and honor Two men q
the five would am quite confident hay
proved better men ilan they did had the
not been ill-adyised. None OF the men, eX
cepl noble Frank Lailer, ever accOmpanie,
me on any oil my great sleuge journeys u
the fall OF 1868, during a mutinous atlac
upon me, when my faithful man was absent
about seven miles distant, on business,
was compelled, in self.delenee, to call int
reuuistiOn n revolver. Coleman, the leader
fell and died in fifteen days. AT once th
rebellion ended, and one OF the band cam
and like man acknowledged truly tlat b
and his companions were altogether III
e guilty ones, and hoped that l would iorgly
I him, which did on the instant. | feel th,
! had not taken this last "dread alternative
! my fate would have been quite as snrrowll
J as that of Henry Hudson. G. f. HALL.