38 ELISHA KENT KANE. 



when the public interest became painfully excited 

 on the subject. Accordingly, in 1848 the British 

 Government despatched Sir James Ross, in command 

 of the "Enterprise" and "Investigator," in search 

 of the absent wanderers. During successive years fif- 

 teen different expeditions were sent forth from Eng- 

 land, for both the purpose of rescuing those who 

 might yet survive of Franklin's associates, and to 

 obtain some intimation or revelation of their ulti- 

 mate fate. The interest felt in the subject was not 

 confined to the native land of the unfortunate ex- 

 plorers; but it extended also to other countries. On 

 such an occasion the United States would naturally 

 sympathize more deeply with the perils of the gallant 

 sufferers than most other countries ; and hence that 

 first American expedition in search of Sir John 

 Franklin, with which the destiny of Dr. Kane be- 

 came subsequently identified, was planned by the 

 American Government and executed under its aus- 

 pices. Dr. Kane, true to the impulses of his nature, 

 requested permission of the United States Govern- 

 ment to join that expedition ; and his request was 

 readily complied with. 



