470 Thirty Years 



Sir John Franklin's official instructions directed 

 him to proceed through Barrow's Straits until he 

 reached Cape Walker (lat. 74° 15' N., long. 98° W.) 

 and then to steer S. W. direct for Behrings Straits. 



The story of the search after Sir John Franklin is 

 itself alone worthy of an entire volume, and should 

 the success of the present volume warrant it such a 

 volume may follow it as a sequel. 



The only information respecting trie Expedition, 

 and that is very obscure, is contained in the subjoin- 

 ed letter of Dr. Kae, who prosecuted an overland 

 journey in search of Franklin : 



Repulse Bay, July 29. 



" Sir, — I have the honor to mention, for the information of my 

 Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, that during my journey 

 over the ice and snow this spring, with the view of completing the 

 survey of the west shore of .Boothia, I met with Esquimaux in IVlly 

 Bay, from one of whom I learned that a party of ' white nun' 

 (Kablounans) had perished from want of food some distance to the 

 wi itward, and not far beyond a large river, containing many falls 

 and rapids. Subsequently, further particulars were received, and 

 a number of articles purchased, which places the fate of a portion, 

 if not of all, of the then Burvivers of Sir John Franklin's long- 

 losl party beyond a doubt— a fate terrible as the imagination can 

 ive. 



" The substance of the information obtained al various times and 

 from various soun follows : — 



" in the spring, four winters pa I ( pring, 1850), a party of 



