34e Miscellanea. 
countryman received marked attention from the Court, and from the In- 
perial Geographical Society, and even had an interview with the Emperor. 
And, if this scheme was frustrated, I must assure you that his Imperial 
Majesty has not ceased to desire to afford every countenance to those expe- 
ditions in search of Franklin which, in his opinion, offer any chance of 
success. i 
For example, Captain Macguire, R.N., having been suddenly ordered off 
to take command of the Plover in Behring Strait, and being charged to 
leave a quantity of his supplies at the Russian Fort of Michaelowski, it 
became necessary to have authority to do so, and instantly on application to 
Baron Brunnow, who was well acquainted with the wishes of the Emperor, 
the requisite letters were furnished. Again, when requested to succour the 
private expedition to Behring Strait, which was to have proceeded under 
Mr. Beatson, the Imperial Government cordially responded, and furnished 
passports and recommendations to the Imperial officers on the Asiatic and 
American shores ‘of that sea, for the use of this private expedition. 
I am thus led necessarily to make the painful announcement that this last 
mentioned enterprise, for which many of us have subscribed, has been sus- 
pended, and that the hope of entering with any vessel far into the ice this 
season, between Siberia and the “‘ unknown” north, is atan end. Want of 
adequate means, and the unexpected personal embarrassments of the inge- 
nious commander, to which it is unnecessary here to refer, have prevented 
the departure of the Zsabel, the only screw-vessel which had been prepared 
for service in a quarter where, in the opinion of Captain Kellett and others, 
she was admirably qualified, from her form, build, and fittings, to accom- 
plish the happiest results. 
Up to a late date I entertained a hope that the Board of Admiralty, which, 
with the kind sanction of the Noble Duke at its head, had supplied the 
Isabel with pemmican, certain other provisions, and coals, and had directed 
a steam tug to help her out to sea, might think it desirable to employ this 
good vessel in their own service, by despatching her to Behring Strait. 
But as this plan does not enter into the views of our naval chiefs, let us 
hope that they may yet think fit to employ in some way this ship, if only 
to carry out that additional quantity of provisions, with which she is 
already stored, to the Arctic squadron under Sir E. Belcher. By this plan 
the noble effort of Lady Franklin (who has contributed much more largely 
than all the subscriptions united to the outfit of the Zsabel would be recog- 
nized), and the wishes, I venture to say, of all promoters of the expedition 
satisfied; for every one must know, that the shortcoming of provisions has 
before now been the main cause of Arctic researches being prematurely 
checked. Again, it may be noticed that, if so employed, the Jsabel could, 
after leaving her supplies at Beechey Island, return to England this 
autumn with accounts of our absent explorers, and be ready for a spring 
voyage, if required, to Behring Strait or elsewhere. 
The extraordinary excitement which has been produced by the appear- 
ance of two half-wrecked ships which were said to be seen floating south- 
