The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-11-09
SIR JOHN FRANKLIN.

blh OVuN u N Linz
A Seaman from Hudson's Bay Receivers
Articles Bearing Evidence of Having
belonged to the Brave Explorer.
From the New York world.l
Thos. A. Barry, second mate OF the
bark A. Houghton, which was cast away,
on the 10Th of June, upon the coast of
Hudson bay, few miles southwest of
Cape Fullerton, has brought to this city
some interesting relics of the Franklin
Expedition, which he obtained from a
native tribe near whose homes the last of
the brave explorers are said to have per-
ished. Barry appears to be an honest
sailor, and the relics which he has in his
possession confirm the correctness of his
story as told to World reporter. Just
q year ago, while the bark was laid up
ut Marble island, well-known station
in Rankin's bay. they were visited by a
large party of Esquimaux from the Ma
chile settlement, near Cape Inglefield,
who told of the mounds which marked
the graves of the white mer who had
come among them many years before.
Two old men of the tribe remembered
distinctly the appearance Of the stran-
gers, but none of the other natives
could speak except in regard to the
mounds, and the relics which were still
in their possession. The old Esguimaux
told Barry that long time ago a large
party of white men had come to their
settlement and lived for long time
among them. The old men told how
cold the winter was which followed the
arrival of the whites. No game of any
kind was to be had, and the settlement
was reduced before long TO the last ex-
tremity of restitution. The natives
crouched in their huts without fire or
food, except some miserable seal skins,
pieces of which they chewed. The
white men were unable to endure the
miseries of winter. The natives were
Injured to hunger and cold, but many of
their tribe persisted. One after the
other, the remnant of the English ex-
petition died, until all the men had per-
ished in the huts of the Esquimaux set
tlemeut. The Esquimaux wrapped the
bodies of the dead in skins, and buried
them near the settlement, under little
heaps of stones. Before all the expe-
dition had starved to death, cairn was
erected among the huts, and the
books and papers belonging to
the explorers were carefully placed
within it. Other valuables were
stored in the cairn also. which the ma
tives told Barry had been left untouched.
They looked on the deposit as sacred,
and feared to break into the mound or
disturb the relics. They had number
of articles in their settlement, however,
belonging to the expedition, made of
silver, copper, and iron, and many
pieces of wood which had been used to
construct boats or sledges. Some of
these articles they brought with them to
the ship, and Barry was able to procure
three large silver spoons, which were un-
mistakably the property OF the Franklin
expedition. One of the spoons he has
now in his possession. The other two
were given to the American Consul at
st. John, Newfoundland. The spoun
now belonging to Barry is heavy silver
tablespoon, engraved with the Franklin
crest, a fishs head surrounded by
wreath. The natives were willing to
guide the crew of the whaler to their
settlement, but, as the journey was near
ly 1000 miles in length and the crew
were whalemen and not professed ex-
plorers, the offer was not accepted. 1t
is proposed by Morrison & Brown, ship
ping agents at No. 100 South street, to
make an attempt to recover the relics of
the Franklin expedition next spring.
Mr.. Morrison was the agent who fitted
out the Polaris. He estimates the cost
of fitting ont vessel for cruise of
eighteen months at S15, 200, and If this
sum can be raised he will endeavor to
provide what is necessary. 1t Is under
stood that the British Government have
offered standing reward of EGO, 900 for
the recovery of the books and other
records of the expedition, and if this
offer is still open Messrs. Morrison &
Brown are prepared to defray the cost
of the expedition, which will probably
be under the charge of Mr.. Barry. He |
proposes to enter Hudson bay aud land |
at Repulse bay, on its western coast.
From thence the journey to Inglefield,
about 500 miles, can be made with sleds |
and dogs, which can be procured at the
point of landing. Travelling at the rate
Of forty miles per day, the settlements
of Hacheli can be reached in about two |
weeks. Here Barry expects to find the
cairn untouched, and to bring back the
relics of Franklin's memorable expe-
dition.