224 



Judge Kane made a verbal communication relative to the 

 American Expedition in search of Sir John Franklin. 



The American party, after passing the " north water" of Baffin's 

 bay, passed in a violent storm to Lancaster sound, and thence to Wel- 

 lington Inlet — a point nearly in the same latitude in which Sir James 

 Ross thought he had found a magnetic pole. The Americans deter- 

 mined to be frozen into the pack ice, so as to be able to take advan- 

 tage of its breaking up in the spring, to prosecute their expedition 

 northward. The result was, that a iew days after being frozen in, 

 the ice broke loose from the shores and floated northward with the 

 vessels. North oflat. 75° 30' they saw the line of the western coast 

 of Greenland, trending N. and VV. a line of high cliffs, extending be- 

 yond the sight. On the left, the shores of Cornwallis' island were 

 seen. They landed at diiferent points, and found renewed traces of 

 the march of parties of Sir John Franklin's men. While in this lati- 

 tude, the south wind, which had hitherto carried them northward, 

 ceased, and they were slowly drifted with the ice, for nearly nine 

 months, down Wellington channel, and were at last released from the 

 ice in a latitude easily reached by navigators at almost all seasons; 

 proving a southerly current running from N. lat. 75° 30' into the 

 Atlantic, at the rate of at least four miles per day. Judge K. con- 

 cluded by giving reasons for believing that Sir John Franklin had 

 reached this open sea, south of the west coast of Greenland, and that 

 at least some of his party may still survive. 



The Society then proceeded to ballot for candidates for mem- 

 bership. 



The Committee of Finance reported that the accounts of the 

 late Treasurer had been examined and found correct : and that 

 the newly elected Treasurer had given a bond, with sureties, 

 for the faithful performance of the duties of his office. 



All other business having been transacted, the ballot boxes 

 were opened by the presiding officer, and the following named 

 gentlemen declared to be duly elected members of the So- 

 ciety: — 



Hon. George Sharswood, of Philadelphia. 



John Leconte, of New York. 



Edward Hallowell, M.D. of Philadelphia. 



Elisha K. Kane, M-D. of Philadelphia. 



James Dundas, of Philadelphia. 



Isaac R. Davis, of Philadelphia. 



