1 36 Polar Explorations. 



to the success of some more fortunate individual, but most 

 happy should I be, to be selected as that individual/' The 

 uniformly obliging and friendly manners of his associates, 

 and the courage and willing obedience of the men, are 

 themes to w^hich he frequently recurs with pleasure ; and 

 vi^hen it is remembered that this series of service was render- 

 ed in eight successive years, amidst severe trials, dangers, 

 and disappointments, the eulogium forms no common praise. 



Undismayed by former dangers and sufferings, Capt. Frank- 

 hn in 1825, accepted from the government a second appoint- 

 ment, to explore his way to the Polar Sea. 



This party consisted of Capt. Franklin, and three other 

 officers, twenty four Englishmen, two Canadians, and two 

 Esquimaux. 



The officers went by way of New York to Lake Superior, 

 and about four or five days march from Mathye portage, over- 

 took their boats and crews, which had left England eight 

 months before them. 



They proceeded directly to the junction of the Bear Lake 

 river with the McKenzie in 65° N. lat. and 123° W. long. 

 After leaving a sufficient number of men at this place to pre- 

 pare a house (called Fort Franklin,) and other accommoda- 

 tions for the winter, Capt. Franklin with the remainder of the 

 party, in four small boats, proceeded to the sea coast, going 

 down the McKenzie to its mouth, where its numerous branch- 

 es form a large delta of alluvion, enclosing several islands in 

 its various reaches. 



They discovered an island thirty miles north of the Whale 

 Island of McKenzie, which Capt. Franklin named Garry, in N. 

 lat. 69° and 1 35° W. long. On this island were layers of wood 

 coal, beside a bituminous liquid tricking down the cliffs. It 

 was covered with shrubby plants and thin grasses and mosses, 

 and on the beach were pebbles of granite, quartz, and Lydi- 

 an stone. The fibrous structure and the twisted state of the 

 woody layers were easily traced in the coal, and several im- 

 pressions of seed and ferns were observed. 



They hastened to rejoin their companions at winter quar- 

 ters, and arrived at Fort Franklin on the 5th of September. 

 This winter although they were straitened for provisions, was 

 still comparatively comfortable. Divine service was regularly 

 attended on Sundays, and the same attention paid to the 

 comfort and improvement of the men, as was practised on 

 board the ships, commanded by Capt. Parry. Capt. Frank- 



