The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-02
SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.

LADY FRANKLINs REWARD OF TEN THOUSAND
DOLLARS FOR THE RECOVERY OF TIE RECORDS
OF His EXPEDITION.
LONDON. Dec. 10, 1874
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
! am desired by my aunt Lady Franklin
(whose exceedingly weak state OF health for
bids her addressing you with her own hand),
TO bring under your notice the TACT that she has
renewed the reward O e., 00O) offered for the re-
covery Of the records OF her husbands expedition
1t was frst made pubic about three years ago in
England, ana almost simultaneously in America,
where It's PRONUNCIATION Is at least necessary as
at nome and my aunt ventures to hope that you
will secure for the subject the most widely ex-
tended circulation it can receive, by giving orders
that the reward be made known in the pages Of
the New YORK HERALD.
In this hope we Shall place before you the lead.
ing facts to the object in and the still ex.
listing probabilities OF success.
IL is naturally concluded that ON the abandon
ment OF the Erebus and Terror, few miles only
from the mainland the journals, ships' logs
and scientific observations would not be
lett to certain destruction with the
ships, but would be landed for deposit
at the spot whence the survivors started on their
journey to the Fish River. Safe concealment only,
with a view to the future recovery OF valuable
data would be the object. and not the depositing
information In conspicuous positions, as was done
in respect OF the proceedings OF the retreating
parties. 1t Is evident, therefore, that this locality
should be searched when the snow is OF the
ground.
The same condition IS necessary for examination
OF the known line OF retreat toward the Fish River
Sir Leopold McUlintock made this certain to us,
but the track was gone over upon the snow which
only partially, though sufficiently, revealed the
iasal traces OF their passage.
1t is we'll known. by means OF the whalers who
have visited Repulse Bay. that the Esquimaux
have been attracted to the west coast OF King
William Island by the debris OF every description
which would follow the breaking up OF the vessels,
as well as those cast down and abandoned by the
retreating party. 1t Is also known that various
expedients were adopted In their extremity for
conveying news OF themselves; for instance. Mr..
Hall brought home a tin matchbox which had been
carefully sewn up in canvas, and contained
piece OF paper so said the EsQulmauX who gave
up the box. 1t is obvious that personal communi-
cation with these people would almost inevitably
be the means OF recovering some OF these rag.
ments Of later Information.
The way of reaching the area to be searched-now
clearly limited and defned-may he by ship down
Peel sound, or by Regent Inlet and through Bellos
Strait, which would place the searchers at once
within reach OF their work and in the waterway
OF the Northwest Passage into the Pacific, which
need not tell you has never been accomplished.
The other route would be by land, starting as
Mr.. Hall did, from Kepulse Bay. The choice Will
depend probably upon the habits and experience
OF him who undertakes IT,
1t is a quest worthy Of your Mr.. Stanley, and II
he were not engaged In other work my aunt
would venture TO stimulate his enthusiasm III It's
behalf.
In consideration of the dif1cufty Of providing
for the equipment Of such an undertaking my
aunt has added to the reward Of $1,000 on re-
the offer OF some compensation for the outlay,
the adjudication OF tnls, we'll as Of the reward
itself, to be made by three persons approved by
both parties, OF whom two shall be officers OF the
navy VINO have had experience in Arctic service,
and who must therefore be competent for the
duty kindly undertaken by them.
1t is right should add that the payment OF the
sums to be claimed Is made binding upon my
aunt's executors in the contingency OF her death
during the progress Of the work.
You will excuse, my aunt hopes tho lengthy ex-
plan alton with which We have troubled you 1t is
offered rather as q guarantee for the reasonable
ness and hopefulness Of the object, which may
therefore commend itself TO yonr advocacy as
well as your sympathy, OF which. indeed, my aunt
has no doubt
She begs her Kind regards to you, and am,
dear sir, yours very truly, SOPHIA CRACRoFr.