The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-22


 offer of the gift of the Resolute.'
 The table was presented to President Hayes November 29, 1880, and forms the last chapter in a story of more than 25 years duration in which American citi- zens and officials were closely interested.
 The story begins with the sending out of four vessels, including the Resolute, by the British government in 1852, under Sir Edward Belcher. in search of Sir John Franklin, the noted English ex- plorer, and his party The Resolute was commanded by Captain Kelett, and dur ing the winter of 1S52-53 was held fast in the pack at Melville Island. In tine autumn, while on a sledge ride, one Of the Resolute's party found trace of an- other ship, which was also fast in :he ice. A rescue party was dispatcheS from the Resolute, the ship located and those on board transferred to the Resolate. The following winter the Resoiute was also forced to winter in the pack, and the following year, fearing a similar oc- currence, Sir Edward Belcher ordered that the ship be abandoned. The officers and crew were taken to England on the North Star, while the Resolute was be- lieved to be ineXtricably embedded in the ice This rescue on the part of the Reso- lute made the ship of added value to England.
 It was the following year, 1s55 that Captain Burlington of New. London, Conn, in command of the American whaler George Kenney, while on whaling roy- age sighted the Resolute, about 70 miles from Cape Mercy in Davis strait, and about 1900 miles from her original loca- tion whom abandoned Captain Buding- ton took possession of her, and dividing I, ,tr lute, and abandoning his cruise returned to the United States with her. The Brit ish government when notified of the res cue, generously waived all claims 70 re- cover and reposscs her in favor of those by whom she had been found.
 The vessel was taken to New Lond 1n, Conn.,. and 1t was in June 1856, hat Senator Foster of that state offered Il resolution inquirng into the expediency of issuing an American register to the Resolute. This was dropped, however, at the suggestion of Senator Mason Of Virginia, who stated that he intended 10 offer resolutions for the restoration of the vessel to England. This he did in the same month. proposing that s40,000 be appropriated for the purchase of the ship from her present owners and for repair ing, her. This resolution was passed unanimously, sent to the House. but Con- gress adjourned without taking action.
 At the extra session called that year by President Pierce, Representative Cling ham called uc the resolution in the House and said that English papers were complimenting America for her liberality and that he hoped there would be no ob- jection, and moved that the resolution be put upon it's passage. The resolution passed and was signed by the President the same day, August 2S. 1856.
 The vessel was purchased and fully re- paired at the New York navy yard, Com mander Henry J. Hartstene being placed in command Of her on the return trip to England On November IS. 1856. the Resolute sailed from New York. and after a bad voyage reached Spithead on De- cember 12. with the United States and British ensisns flying al her peak. Con were sent Commander Hart stene by Vice Admiral Sir George Sey- mour. and the next morning he proceeded to Porthmouth. in government steamer.