Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-11-22
VOL. LXXIV.
LADY FRANKLIN.
=, LETTER ON THE DISCOVERY OF THE NORTE
WEST PASSAGE

4 LETTER ON IHE DlSCOf Eh1 Ot IHE NOhIH-
WEST PASSAGE.
Lady Jane Franklin writes as follows to the
editor of the London Times
SIR-Now that the grave has closed over
the remains Of the great Arctic navigator, Sir
Robert Mcclure, it IS time to dlssipate the
rntu<iOn which seems still to exist in some
quarters as to his claim to be considered the
di,coverer Of the Northwest Passage, set forth
october 22d and 24th | beg of you, there
f,re the favor to permit me, on behalf of the
expedition under command Of my husband, to
state agaio the proven facts of its iucoutrovert.
ibIv prior claim to that distinction.
No one can dispute the great qualities of Sir
Robert Mcclure as a navigator OF the highest
skill and daring. The perilous voyage of the
Investigation. which closed at the Bay Of Mercy.
midway between the Pacific and Atlantic, has
won for him world wide reputation. But un-
fortunately it was prematurely assumed on his
return TO England 10 1854, after his rescue by
the Resolute, that to him belonged also the
honor Of being the first to solve the problem of
he Northwest Passage and, as we all re-
member, rewards we're showered upon him iu
due aud fitting acknowledgment.
But il was felt aud urged by many, in
cludpg ny friend, Sir Roderick Murchisen,
that future search for Frauklin might reveal q
priority of claim which could not be disregard
ed Accordingly on the return to Sir Leo
pod McClntock in the Fox. (September, 1859,
We learned by means Of the official record
which he recovered that in following the
course laid down in his instructions, Frank
lin's vessels, after affecting extensive ex-
ploratious within the Arctic circle, had
actually found the water way between the
Two great oceans precisely where 1t had
been anticipated, and that this discovery
was made at least two years and bali
eate1 than that of Sir Robert Mcclure,
in another quarter The expedition had per-
ished, indeed, for lack of the ueans of rescue,
but it was none the less au act of justice to
these martyrs to duty, that their names should
stand forever in the history Of their country,
lnked with the proud distinction OF being dis
coverers of the Northwest passage.
Accordingly, their claim was prominently ac.
kuowledged and set forth by the Geographical
Society, and by the leading arctic authorities,
who individually felt, as am aware, that JUS
tce to the dead was all the more due to their
memories on account of the premature decision
IN favor of another.
Our deep obligations to Sir Leopold Nc
Cintock and his officers are thus due, not only
h: having ascertained the fate OF my husband
and his party. bat for having also secured to
them the distinction which they died 10 Wln-
hing.
have in my possession from the above high
authorities Including Murcbison, Beatvrt,
Richardson, the late venerable president OF the
Geographical Society of Paris, all now deceas-
edl numerous letters and documents, which
have not yet been made public, testtylng to
this result with the most absolute precision.
Not the least valuable one is letter from Sir
James Ross who had been prominent 10 hon
orug Sir Robert McClure's achievements, but
who, after the return of the Fox, Spontaneous
" communicated to me with noble and touch
inc candor, and in the most uncqulvocal terms,
that the record brought by the Fox proved
that the honor Of the great discovery belonged
to my husband's expedition, and to it alone
The printed and published testimony is al
ready ample, and abounds especially 10 the
presidential addresses of Sir Roderick Murchi-
son to the Geographical Society and the geog-
raphica section of the British Association,
Far be it from me, by anything am now
Aying, to detract from the claims OF Sir Robert
Mcclure, or his widow, upon the gratitude OF
Ills country.
|, would pain me, indeed, if that which |
have been compelled to say 10 hdellty to the
memory of my husband should seem to with
draw from the interest excited for the procur-
lug an adequate provision tor her comfort. 1t
>my earnest hope that the Admiralty may
drd it possible to make her an exceptional
grant of pension, but if this cannot be, who is
there that dares not hope that our benefcent
Queen, who has the glory of her country and
the welfare of her subjects at her lnmost heart
Nay not think fit to place her on the list OF
hose who are distinguished by their eminence
or their belongings?
bave trespassed, sir. thus upon your indul-
sehce, because if iu the columns of the Times
statement seut forth to the extremities OF tie
/ globe it becomes matter of almost unquestion-
stle history, aud it is only through the same
ucdlum that the correction, if required, can be
equally transmitted This is why request the
favor Of your insertion OF this letter written,
an4cr great physical weakness, and only from
lie strong pressure of duty.
q an, sir, your obedient servant.
II UCT ~ JANE FRANKLIN.