May 23, 1859.] . ARCTIC RESEARCHES. 325 



possess a valuable instalment of contributions towards a better 

 acquaintance with a vast country which is, doubtlessly, destined 

 to play a most important part in the annals of British history.* 



Arctic Researches. — It will be remembered that Captain M'Clintock 

 failed to accomplish the middle passage across Baffin Bay in the 

 season of 1857. The Fox, therefore, was forced to pass the 

 winter in the pack, drifting with it helplessly to the south until set 

 free in April of last year. No evil consequences beyond the irre- 

 parable loss of an entire year were experienced, the efficiency of the 

 expedition being unimpaired, and after a short stay in the ports of 

 Greenland, where supplies of fresh meat, &c., were obtained, as also 

 from several vessels of the whaling fleet, Captain M'Clintock made 

 a successful passage across the middle ice, and entered Pond Bay 

 on the 29th of July. Our latest intelligence is dated from this inlet, 

 whither he had gone for the purpose of investigating some very 

 remarkable reports, which for the last few years have been perse- 

 veringly made by the natives to the whaling ships frequenting this 

 quarter. 



The statements made by the Esquimaux with respect to fugitive 

 parties of white men in distress, point unequivocally to portions of 

 the crew of the Erebus and Terror, and their conjecture is corrobo- 

 rated by the fact, that the sledges of these tribes are found to be 

 constructed of oak and mahogany belonging to British ships, and by 

 the existence of other articles in their possession, which could have 

 been derived only from such a source. When last seen, the Fox was 

 steering into the very centre of the area from which these reports 

 proceeded, and to which Captain M'Clintock attached the utmost 

 importance. Having cleared up this important point, it was his 

 intention to proceed to Beechey Island to examine into the state of 

 provisions there deposited, and then to make his way southerly to- 

 wards the bight of the Back or Great Fish Eiver, where it is earnestly 

 hoped the object of his voyage will be attained. 



Although it would be premature to express any immediate anxiety 

 respecting the safety of this isolated vessel, commanded as she is by 

 an officer of so much ability and experience, with so many dep6ts of 

 provision to fall back upon in the event of any casualty occurring 

 previous to her reaching the American continent, yet it cannot be 

 denied that if the close of the present year should have brought us 



♦ An instructive map of the region lying immediately to the south of British Columbia, 

 and extending southwards to California Proper, and which has been occupied and settled 

 by the American Government, has been recently published by Mr. Trutch. 



