﻿1845. LATEST OFFICIAL LETTER. 9 



" The transport will sail for England this clay. I shall 

 instruct the agent, Lieutenant Griffiths, to proceed to 

 Deptford, and report his arrival to the Secretary of the 

 Admiralty. I have much satisfaction in bearing my tes- 

 timony to the careful and zealous manner in which Lieu- 

 tenant Griffiths has performed the service entrusted to 

 him, and would beg to recommend him, as an officer who 

 appears to have seen much service, to the favourable con- 

 sideration of their LordshijDS. 



" It is unnecessary to assure their Lordships of the 

 energy and zeal of Captain Crozier, Commander Fitz- 

 james, and of the officers and men with whom I have the 

 happiness of being employed on this service. 



" I have, &c. 



" John Franklin, 

 " Captain. 

 " The Right Hon. H. L. Gary, M.P. 

 &c. &c. &c." 



The two ships were seen on the 26th of the same 

 month (July) in latitude 74° 48' N., longitude 66° 

 13' W., moored to an iceberg, waiting for a favour- 

 able opportunity of entering or rounding the 

 " middle ice " and crossing to Lancaster Sound, 

 distant in a direct westerly line from their position 

 about 220 geographical miles. On that day a boat 

 from the discovery ships, manned by seven officers, 

 one of whom was Commander Fitzjames, boarded 

 the " Prince of Wales," whaler. Captain Dannett. 

 They were all in high spirits, and invited Captain 

 Dannett to dine with Sir John Franklin on the 



