National Republican., 1875-07-23
WRANGELL LAND AMERICAN ENTER.
PRISE.

In publishing an account of visit to DR.
Bessels yesterday, brief reference was mad,
to the fact that it was part of the duty o
the iIl-fated Saranac 10 visit Wrangell Land
and to take possession of it in the name o
the United States. Information concerning
this unknown, and beyond all doubt unin
habited country will be read with avidity
however meagre and unsatisfactory it may
be. The first account of it is from Baron
Wrangell, who was cruising in the Polal
seas in 1928. On the 9Th of March he
reached Cape Chelayskoi. There he came
in contact, for the first time, with the
Tchutski, who told him that the native
name for the cape was Erri, and the name
of Cape North, Irkaipi, and "that between
those capes, from the top of some cliffs
"Dear the mouth ofthe river, one might, on a
"clear summers day, descry snow-covered
mountains at a great distance to the north,
"but that in winter it was impossible to see
$50 far" This is the first mention of the
land subsequently discovered by Captain
KelIett, in II. N. s. Herald. The Tchutski
told, the Baron that he had been told by his
father that native had once gone there in
baidar," and he thought this Northern
land was uninhabited.
Nothing more was learned of this region
until the English expeditions were sent
out in search of Sir John Franklinin in 1649- so,
the Herald, Captain Kellett, and the
Plover, Captain Moore, and the Nancy
Dawson, Captain Shedden, with other
vessels. The Herald reached her norther-
most latituee 72o 81 north, in longitude
1880 49, west July 90, and August II an
island was discovered, having behind it a
long range of high land. This island was
taken possession of in the name of Her
Majesty. 1t is only about four and q half
miles east and west, and two and a half
north and south. Speaking of the range
of land beyond and to the north, Captain
Kellett says: "It becomes nervous thing
"to report a discovery of land in these
regions, without actually landing on it,
CATER the unfortunate mistake to the
southwark; but as far as man can be GER
"tain, who has one hundred and thirty
"pairs Of eyes to assist him, and all
agreeing, am certain we have discov-
"ered an extensive land" This region is
now put down on some maps as "Kellett
Land" but 1t is best known as Wrangen.
How large it is no one knows, but it is
already certain that it is Of vast extent,
trsyersed by high ranges Of mountains, and
covered with extensive verdure, for the
outlines of trees can be distinctly seen.
As stated before, the Secretary of the
Navy. with keen foresight Of the import
ance and possible advantages of this vast
and unknown region, made 1t part of the,
duty of the Saranac to coast along its
shores, and to take possession Of it in the
name of the United States. With the loss
Of the steamer, all was lost but all may be
recovered by quick repetition of the en-.
terprise, and before any other nation is
stimulated to make similar attempt. This
great fact of the Saranac's expedition is,
among a thousand others, in prominent
proof that the Administration is constantly
laboring for the honor and glory of our
nation, quite remindful of the small and
ignorant men who seek, by the suppression
of truth and the invention of lies, its dis
credit.