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The following memorandum was brought home by Commander Forsyth, of the Prince Albert :

(General Memorandum.)

Her Majesty's ship Resolute, at sea, July 25th, 1850.
Lat. 75' 25° N., Long. 61' 34° W.

In the hope that the expedition is now not far distant from the North Water, and although the nature and movements of the ice are so varied in different seasons as to prevent any determination of plan until the moment foracting arrives, it becomes desirable that what is contemplated in the prosecution of the charge assigned to me, the accomplishment of which we all have so much at heart, should be made known.

I, therefore, here promulgate it, and it is to be received as an addenda to the instructions issued by the Lords Commissiouers of the Admiralty, and carried out with all the earnestness and zeal that so highly-important a service demands.

The circumstance of a tender being attached to each ship establishes in a great measure the security and confidence necessary in the prosecution of this service, which would not be felt by one vessel alone, and admits of a partial separation for the season, to enable a more extended search being made.

When maturely considering the most probable route of the missing expedition in its return by way of Lancaster Sound, or of any of the crews that might have left their vessels, it appears that they would have attempted to reach Pond Bay, either during the late autumn of last year or the earliest moment this spring, with the hopes of meeting the whalers in the present

season.

Therefore, the Resolute and her tender will proceed to Pond Bay, and, if it can be done, communicate with the natives there; then, as circumstances admit, search along that shore on her way to Whaler Point.

The Assistance and her tender will commence the search at Cape Warrender, continuing it along the north shore to Wellington Strait, examine its shores and neighbourhood, and proceed as far up it as is practicable and sufficient to fully satisfy that it has not been the course of the missing ships. As Mr. Penny, in his Success, will traverse the northern part of this strait, there is good reason to hope that so very important a doubt will be set at rest.

Should any record be found of Sir John Franklin having proceeded in that direction, then it is to be made known to the Resolute by depositing a notice thereof at either Cape Reilly or Cape Hotham, and the search proceeded with most vigorously, in which the Resolute will hasten to join at the earliest moment.

But in the event of no record being found there, and it is most desirable and important that the ships should meet, or at least communicate results of labours to this point, then the rendezvous to be between Capes Rennell, Hotham, and Riley; the Resolute standing to the northward from midnight to noon, and to the southward from noon to midnight, in the meridian of Cape Hotham.

But should the examination of Wellington Strait be speedily accomplished without traces being found, and the Resolute not having reached the rendezvous, then, in order to save time, the Assistance will take up the search to Cape Walker, examining its neighbourhood thoroughly as far as is practicable; and failing to obtain any information there, or to meet the Resolute, will then continue it on the north shore of the Parry Islands.

And with a view to have a fixed place, where there is good reason to

expect that vessels may reach, should the rendezvous, on account of time, fail for communication, then a full account of proceedings, with any change of plans called for from circumstances not anticipated here, must be deposited at the southern extremity of Griffith Island.

In the event of the Resolute first reaching the rendezvous between Capes Rennell, Hotham, and Riley, then all endeavours will be made to prosecute to the entrance of Wellington Strait, touching at Cape Riley and Cape Hotham, in order, according to circumstances; and failing to meet there with information of the Assistance, or traces of the missing expedition, will then proceed towards Capes Rennell and Walker; and not finding traces in that direction, will continue the search in the south-west, towards Melville Island, where it would be expected to take up winter quarters. But if, on the contrary, traces are found, then the object of reaching Melville Island would be abandoned, and winter quarters taken in the southwest, according to circumstances.

Should Assistance, on reaching Cape Hotham, discover that Resolute has has preceded her, and gone on without finding any traces, she will make the best of her way in the direction of Cape Walker; and, failing to meet with Resolute in that neighbourhood, or any record, will, without delay, carry on the search along the north shore of the Parry Islands.

The Resolute, failing to reach Melville Island to winter, will endeavour to communicate in early spring with Winter IIarbour; and, should Assistance similarly fail, she must do the same, independently of other searching parties that may be despatched, as it is most important that the results of the several examinations made up to this period should be communicated.

On every occasion of visiting the shore a record must be deposited, comprising every necessary particular, taking as a guide my minute of the 3rd instant, and being careful to note that a considerable supply of provisions and fuel is deposited at Whaler Point, on the western entrance of Prince Regent Inlet.

With a view to attract the attention of any of the missing persons, care must be taken that, during the periods of darkness, and when fogs prevail, periodical signals are made,-rockets, blue lights, guns, muskets, maroons, drums, gongs, bells, and whistles, being employed as most suitable, according to circumstances.

When in open water a document is to be occasionally thrown overboard, containing the necessary particulars as detailed in the printed papers supplied.

The substance and spirit of their lordships' orders under which I am acting must be the guide for any point not herein provided for, or wherever doubt arises-as they will govern all the operations of the Resolute.

(Signed) HORATIO T. AUSTIN, Captain, and in charge of the Expedition.

To Captain Erasmus Ommanney. her Majesty's
ship Assistance, and the Lieutenants commanding
her Majesty's screw tenders Pioneer and Intrepid.

Extract of a Letter from John Rae, Esq., Chief Factor, Hudson's Bay Company, to Sir John Richardson.

Portage La Locke, 30th July, 1850. My dear Sir John.-I have now the pleasure to acknowledge your several kind and interesting favours of 15th August, from Norway House; of 18th and 19th, from Lake Winipeg; and 6th September, from Rainy Lake, all

of which reached me on the 5th of April, by our usual winter express. By the government express I received three other letters from you on the 25th of June, and two more by the Esperance, on the 25th inst.—the latest being dated on the 3rd of April.

A list of all the articles brought from Fort Confidence to Fort Simpson was made, out, and credited to the expedition; but finding that all, or greater part would be again required for the contemplated expeditions, I do not send out any accounts of them.

The quantity of dry meat remaining at Fort Confidence before I left was 2,200 pounds, the best of which, amounting to 1,600 pounds, was brought away by us, and the remainder being poor stuff, was given to the Indians, as our boat could contain no more. Of the 1,600 pounds 850 were used on the voyage to Fort Simpson and Slave Lake, leaving 750 available.

You are aware that I was, if possible, to resume my search'this summer for the unfortunate missing navigators. A government express, conveying instructions to this effect, met me on the 25th ult., one day 's journey below Slave Lake. Commander Pullen being in company with his party received orders to the same effect, the route pointed out for him being to the westward of the Coppermine, as far as Cape Bathurst, and from thence out to sea in the direction of Banks Land-rather a hazardous experiment with open boats. As the stock of provisions would not admit of two expeditions being equipped, Pullen (who is much better fitted for such an undertaking in almost all respects than I am) had the preference, and will take with him pemmican and dry meat to the amount of about 4,500 pounds, which is to be stowed in one of our large batteaux, and in one of the Plover's boats. So small a quantity of provisions is left at Fort Simpson that I do not know how our fall business is to be carried on. Two of the government men who were unfit for active duty returned to England, and three of the Company's men, including Niel M'Leod, have been engaged in their place.

In order, therefore, that the expenses incurred may not be entirely thrown away, I have determined to return to Bear Lake, and pass the winter at Fort Confidence; to build two boats there, similar to those of Dease and Simpson, and with them attempt, next summer, to reach Wollaston or Victoria Land, via the Coppermine. That the time should not be unprofitably spent, I shall, with two or three men, visit the mouth of the Coppermine this fall, and probably go as far as the bay where your boats were left in 1848, to see whether a "cache" of pemmican, deposited there last year, is still safe. This I doubt, as the stony nature of the ground was unfavourable to perfect concealment. Should we be fortunate in procuring provisions during the winter, and our party be healthy in the spring, I shall endeavour to proceed twelve or fourteen days' journey to the northward, over the ice, in the month of May next; and in the event of being unsuccessful, as in all probability we shall be, the boats will be ordered to meet me at the Kendall; and should the ice permit, I shall, with them, endeavour to blot out the memory of my last year's failure. In forming this plan, I have been actuated by but one feeling-namely, the desire of pursuing the route in which there is the greatest probability of gaining some information, or finding traces of the_gallant navigators or their vessels. To facilitate this I have requested Mr. Hargrave to procure an Esquimaux interpreter from Churchill, to replace poor Albert, and to forward him by winter to Mackenzie River; also to send the Halkett's boat that I had, with one at Repulse Bay. Capt. Pullen requested me to make over all the instruments of your expedition to him, as soon as he was aware of his returning to the coast. This Î at once agreed to do, as he may want most of them at winter quarters.

I cannot say much in favour of the men that have been engaged for me.

They are all, without exception, either Indians or half-breeds from Red River-good enough men in their way, but not well fitted for what we have to do.

I omitted to mention in the proper place that when the winter packet arrived, and I received your instructions respecting the establishment of an Indian party on the Coppermine, the Martin Lake chief, "Tecoon-ne-betah," with his party was at Fort Simpson, and I had no difficulty in engaging them to pass the summer at certain stations in the route between the Kendall and the Bear Lake. The leader received three notes, which were to be delivered to any Europeans they might meet, in which the strangers were requested to put themselves wholly in the hands of the Indians, who would guide them by the best roads to the nearest post, and feed them by the way. In the event of not seeing any parties, other notes, with a rough chart of the best route, were supplied, well wrapped in oil-cloths, which were to be placed on poles in conspicuous stations.

Having arrived here long before Esperance, and there being ten cargoes to take over the Portage, our provisions would have been done 'ere this, had I not, fortunately, brought two nets, with which we catch as many fish in the lake as feed half our party.

My companion at Bear Lake will be Mr. Mackenzie, whom you saw at Fort Norman. He is a fine active fellow, and a good shot. I have promised him £130. per annum, which I do not think too much.

I am, yours, most respectfully and truly,

(Signed)

JOHN RAE.

ARCTIC VOYAGE of the PrincE ALBERT.-Com. Forsyth, R.N.

[In our August number the departure of the Prince Albert on this voyage is recorded along with some interesting particulars relating to her crew, officers, and equipment. The intention of Lady Franklin in sending her was to fill up the last place remaining unexplored in a north-west direction from where Sir John Ross left the Victory in the Gulf of Boothia. Her track in Barrow Strait is shewn on the little chart attached to this number, as well as her attempt to get down Prince Regent Inlet and her course over to Cape Riley where the "traces," of Sir John Franklin's party were found. It also shews the Wellington Channel and Cape Hotham to which Capt. Ominaney was hastening for further accounts when the Prince Albert came away.]

THE Prince Albert, ketch of 89 tons, C. C. Forsyth, R.N., Commander, has just returned from Barrow Straits and Prince Regent Inlet, bringing accounts of the whole of the Arctic fleet, up to the 25th of August. She has not been successful in the main object of her voyage; but has, nevertheless, brought some tidings which may, eventually, be found leading to the issue so much desired. She has had a most remarkable run home from Wellington Channel, not having been once delayed by ice, and seeing scarcely any but bergs since leaving Prince Regent Inlet. The following are the particulars of her voyage.

On Wednesday, June 5th, the Prince Albert left Aberdeen, and put

into Long Hope on Friday the 7th, where she remained during a heavy gale from the westward, until Sunday morning the 9th. From this date, only a slow progress was made towards Cape Farewell in consequence of calms, foul winds, and heavy gales. During one entire week, when about 300 miles from the coast of Greenland, the wind blew incessantly against her with such fury, and accompanied by a very high sea and snow storms, that she was driven back some distance. Again when near Cape Farewell, another tremendous gale was experienced, the sea running fearfully high. For the third time the ship had to be hove to, and proved herself, throughout the whole passage a most admirable sea boat.

On the 2nd July, the first iceberg was passed, and in the same morning the land on the south coast of Greenland was observed, at a distance of about 60 miles. The 6th brought a fair wind, and enabled her to run better than on any previous day. The latitude was then 61° 02', and longitude 52° 13'. Calms and foul winds succeeded, during which slow progress was made along the coast of Greenland, its lofty and magnificent mountains occasionally presenting a near view. Several bergs were passed, but no large body of ice, until, with a strong and favorable breeze, and thick weather, the ship suddenly, on the 11th at 8h. 30m. A.M. came upon a heavy stream of ice. It was blowing hard, with sleet and rain, but it was necessary to run through it at once, and this was accomplished in an admirable manner. A course was then shaped by Capt. Forsyth for Whale Fish Islands, but the gale increasing, with heavy snow storms, and a high sea, the vessel was again hove to. During that night great caution was necessary in consequence of the many icebergs which every now and then were seen looming suddenly through the thickness of the weather. The next morning the high land of Disco was observed, and the Albert had to wear off several times to avoid too close an approach. When the gale abated it was found that the ship had been driven to leeward of Whale Fish Islands, and as the wind continued fair it was determined not to delay, but proceed at once to Upernavick.

The 13th was calm and clear, the sun being observed above the horizon at midnight. An altitude was taken, which showed 3° 12' as the height of the sun, and the latitude 71° 18' N.

On the 15th the Truelove, Mr. Parker, and the Anna were spoken off Black Hook. From Mr. Parker, Capt. Forsyth learned news of the other vessels in the ice, and that the whalers were all returning to the south, being unable to get through Melville Bay.

Wednesday, July 17th, letters were landed at Upernavick; and on the following day with light winds and thick weather, streams of loose ice were entered. On the 20th, the Prince Albert was completely beset for a few hours, but the floes opening into a lead she found clearer water, sailing among numerous bergs and sconce pieces, without however, entering anything like a broad channel. The next day, while threading through the various intricate passages which were visible, she came up with Sir John Ross in the Felix, and made fast to the ice close to him.

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