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    986 THE LEADER. [Saturday,

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    TWO CHAMPIONS OF "RELIGIOUS * EQUALITY."...

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    The Auct1c Expeditions. Tire Despatches ...

    Cape Bird , crossed a bay of some twenty-five miles in width , when we struck a low-lying beach , and pursued our course on it , over gentle undulations , in a direction due west , to the estimated distance of 10 O deg . west longitude . On the third day we got on flat table land , until the latitude of 73 deg . north , when we turned east , and struck the inlet west of North Somerset . Our course was now generally along the sea coast , until we reached Cape Walker , where our provisions compelled us to retreat to the ship , round North Somerset and Leopold ifdrbour . I cannot

    find words to express my admiration of the conduct of M . Bellofc , who accompanied me throughout this journey , directing at all times the course by his superior scientific attainments , and at the same time taking an equal share with the men in dragging the sledge , and ever encouraging them in their arduous labours by his native cheerful disposition . During- an absence of three months Ave slept in snow houses , having dispensed with tents . With the blessing of God we returned in safety to our ship on the 30 th of May .

    ' ' On the 6 th of August we cut out of winter quarters , and proceeded to Beechy Island as circumstances best directed . I may mention that our first journey was in midwinter , when we had to avail ourselves of the moonlight , in the absence of that of the sun . " I have , in conclusion , the satisfaction to remark that , although our crew suffered somewhat from scurvy , they have all returned to a man in comparative health , which I attribute in a great measure to the strictly teetotal principles on which the expedition was carried out , and the consequent harmony and good conduct of the men

    throughout . It is through the supply of pemmican alone , which the Lords of the Admiralty liberally supplied to the Prince Albert ., that sledge journeys were enabled to be carried out . I left eighteen cases of pemmican at Beachey Island and two at Fury Beach , and four tons of coals I put on board the North Star . During my absence on the extended journey , Mr . Cowie , the medical officer , searched the bottom of Cresswell-bay , to see if any passage existed there , but found none . To this officer I also feel greatly indebted for his care and attention over the health of the crew , and kind and skilful treatment of them .

    " Though every search was made m all parts we have visited , we have found no record or trace of the proceedings of Sir John Franklin ' s expedition . " I have , & c . " William Kennedy . , Commanding Lady Franklin ' s Private Arctic Expedition . " The Secretary of the Admiralty . " We proceed to give some extracts from the despatches and instructions . Sir Edward Belcher thus writes from Beechy Island , on the 14 th of August , to the Secretary of the Admiralty : — " Sir , —I have the honour to acquaint you , for the information of my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty , that I reached this position on the evening of the 11 th , where I had the gratification of finding the Resolute and North Star , the Intrepid having joined me in the Straits and towed me up .

    " I had despatched the Pioneer from Cape Warrcndor to examine Navy Board Inlet for information , and deposit the duplicate of No . 10 , left at Cape Wnrrender ; also to report on the state of the provisions , as in cop } ' of instructions inclosed . " At Cape Wurrendor I found the cairn nnd post erected by Captain Austin ' s expedition , but no document . The tally , having written on if , ' Pull out record , ' was found beside the cairn , deeply impressed by the teeth of some small animal . No trace of the visit of man . "At Cape 1 . 1 urd I found a document deposited by the Intrepid . "On the afternoon of the l . 'Jth the Pioneer returned from JN ' avy Board Inlet , having searched for the provisions deposited by the North Star , hut without success .

    " . Immediately on my arrival here , accompanied by Captain ICelloft , I proceeded with . service parties , under the command of (' oiumundcr . Richards and Lieutenant Cheyne , lo examine closely Beech > ' Island and coasts adjacent " for records of ( lie missing expedition , hut without the . slightest increase of importance . "After a most laborious search , including the lines of direction of the headboards of the graves , and head and foot , as well as at ten feet distances , and throughout the loose earth , no trace , nor even a scratch on the paint work , could l ) i ! traced .

    " Upon very mature consideration , Hided by Captain Kellelt and Commander I'lillcn , I arrived at the conviction that , no hurrv in removing from thrso winter quartern can be traced . KveryI liing licars the stamp of order and regularity ; and although it . is matter of intense surprise anil incomprehensible to all , it is my linn conviction thai , no intention of leaving a record at thin position existed . '' Other reasons occur to me for Hitch determination , the principal of which i . s , that Sir John I ' Yanlvlin would not consider tins as a likely spot for inquiry , and it . is evident .

    that by men ; chance only they happened to fall upon his traces . If I am asked why , my reply i . s that at , Capo Kiley , or any other more prominent , and accessible positions , beyond the discovery of former visitors , Sir John Franklin would place his beacon ; certainly not , hen ; . " It . may next be inquired , why have flic former nearcli - ing parlies failed to lind these imirjis i' My reply again is , look even to the cairns erected last , year by the well orgajiized expedition of my predecessors . They are easily overlooked , passed unnoticed , or destroyed hy animals .

    " Wo have not . been able , even vutli llus \ ery open nea-Non , ( o trace the large supplies left , at Navy Hoard Inlet by tho North Star , and no beacon marks their wherenl > outn . How , then , are the distressed to avail t . liemselven of thin depot \' " Port . Leopold in at present equnlly inaccessible , as reported by Commander . M . 'Cliiitnck , who Nought me in that neighbourhood . It is , therefore , a iiionL serious drawback to any chances of relief that these depdlH should have been placed on tho southern bhoreH of ( ho Wound , when il . is

    well known that the northern are always easily and safely accessible . " The shortness of the remaining season , and the vast importance of taking every advantage to benefit by the present open waters in carrying out the main instructions of their Lordships , by the two great channels , for the objects therein referred to , render it imprudent to risk any delay by further attempts to examine Port Leopold , which may be effected by Commander Pullen during the winter or early in the spring , but a short journey compared with those effected last vear . "

    " Yesterday , accompanied by Captain Kellett and Commander Pullen , I searched Gape Eiley . The result of our examination , viewing it as a possible magnetic station , is most assuredly adverse to arty such conclusion . As a magnetic observer myself ( Keilett and Pullen also ) , I could trace nothing to warrant any such conclusion . Nor do I believe it probable that instruments of such a nature would be carried to a spot totally unprotected in every way , and not possessing any feature to recommend it , when the spot on Beechy Island afforded the best locality . "Another and very important reason adverse to any such selection would be the almost vertical mass of mountains within a few yards , of the position .

    " The circles of stones ' are clearly the remains of Esquimaux habitations , and ^ fiat paved circles in continuation towards the cliff clearly-indicate not a temporary visit . Graves , also , of men and children , wherein the bones appear to have been charred , also indicate the restingplace or fixed encampment of Esquimaux . " The station is also well adapted for a fishing position and for the capture of birds . " It is my firm conviction that had Sir John Franklin been disposed to leave any record of his movements many very prominent points present themselves , and I have great hopes , from the very open season , that we shall yet find them on the shores of Wellington Channel . " Lieutenant Cheyne was sent to examine the summit of Beechy Island , and he reported as follows : —

    " Sir , —In compliance with the above memorandum , I have the honour to report that I proceeded at 9 . 30 a . m ., accompanied by Mr . Lewis , clerk in charge , and three men to the summit of Beechy Island . We repaired immediately to the cairn remains left by the Erebus and Terror , marked a circle round the centre of full 20 feet in diameter , turned out all the stones within that space , and dug up to the depth of one foot , throwing everything carefully out ; a minute search was also j ^ tade under all the large stones near the place , but no trace of any document was found . We left the spot at 2 . 30 p . m . fully convinced that no record is there . " Lieutenant Hamilton , of the Mesohde , gives the following account of an expedition . It is addressed to Captain Kellett , his superior : —

    " Sm , —I have the honour to inform you that on the 11 th inst ., Messrs . Domville , Alston , and myself walked to Caswell's Tower . At the foot of it , facing the south-east , and about 300 yards from the beach , we found the remains of an old Esquimaux encampment , consisting of about 30 ruined huts . One of Edwards' email potato cases attracted our attention , and on searching we discovered several of Goldner ' s preserved moat canisters , seven or eight wine bottles , a fireplace , and a small well ; the bottom of it was

    lined with small stones . A pathway of large flat stones led to the well . No cairns nor documents were found . These articles evidently belonged to some of Sir John Franklin ' s parties ; most probably a shooting party . I then ascended ( he tower , which is about the same height as Beechy Sound , but much steeper . Neither cairns nor documents were found . Five bears were seen during our walk ; one of them was severely wounded by Mr . Domville . The land was very barren ; a little moss and sorrel was the only vegetation seen . "

    After having given instructions to Captain Ivellett of the llcsolnla , to proceed to Melville Island , nnd to Commander Pullen , of the North Star , to remain in depot at Beechy Island , Sir Edward Belcher set out in the Assistance on the 14 th of August , for Wellington Channel . Orders were given for tho sending out of sleighing parties both to Captain Kellelt and Commander Pullen ; and arrangements wen ; made for a meeting between a party from Captain Ivellett nnd one from Sir I'Mward Belcher on the meridian of 105 ° west , and on the parallel of 77 " north . Commander 1 'ullen anticipated a season unusually " open . " lie found the Mary yacht , left by Sir John Ifoss , and launched her for use . She was much out of repair , and he intended to haul her on Heechv Island .

    The Jlloriiinif Herald lias heard " that , intelligence lias been received from the squadron commanded by Sir \<) . Belcher , and led by him up the Wellington Channel , to the died that , from what they have discovered lloating down the channel -remains of whales , bears , and other animal substances— -the party have been led to the conclusion that nut , only i . s there food for mankind in that , direction , but . that , the floating portions of whales and bears form the relics of what

    have been actually consumed by human beings . Sir I ' . Heleher has by thin time , most , probably , explored (¦ lie regions pronounced lo he accessible by Capt . l'eiiny , but injudiciously abandoned , and has thus confirmed the I ruth of 1 'einiy ' s testimony . It is fearful to contemplate I , he consequences of a year'w delay in following Mm track presumed U > have been taken by Franklin , as of course ! hopes of effectual succour must ; he diminished by the year ' s postponement of that ncarch which Penny

    so warmly suggested on the spot , and which he « n nobly volunteered to undertake on his return to Vn land last autumn . " m &

    986 The Leader. [Saturday,

    986 THE LEADER . [ Saturday ,

    Two Champions Of "Religious * Equality."...

    TWO CHAMPIONS OF "RELIGIOUS * EQUALITY . " Sir Culling Eaedley is a well-known advocate of " religious equality , " according to the Exeter Hall pattern ; and no doubt he is a consistent and honest gentleman for the solution of that impracticable problem—religious equality , toith Protestant ascendancy " When at Geneva , the other day , he saw the Tablet and read in its columns the now famous " private and confidential" circular of Mr . Moore , together with the names of the persons leading the movement . Among others he saw that of Mr . Frederick Lucas , editor of the Tablet , and member for Meath , and desirous of testing the reality of the desire for religious equality existent in the committee , he wrote to Mr . Lucas on the subject through a mutual " friend . " Sir Culling was engaged in an effort to release the imprisoned Madiais ; Mr . Lucas was engaged in promoting religious equality in Ireland . Would Mr . Lucas help Sir Culling to release the Madiais ? "A deputation from various countries—the United Kingdom , France , Holland , Switzerland , and Germanyis about to wait upon the Grand Duke of Tuscany , ia order to solicit , in the name of religious freedom , the liberation of the Madiais . I expect to meet these gentlemen at Marseilles , and I take the liberty of asking whether I may inform them that they have your permission to state at Florence that you , whose name and position are well known there , regard with indignation the incarceration of the Madiai in the supposed interests of your faith , and that you wish success to the object of the deputation . "

    This humble but treacherous request did not ensnare Mr . Lucas ; on the contrary , he snubs Sir Culling in the Tablet for asking him to engage in an act which is a " gross impertinence , " and which no one but " very great simpletons" could perform . For what right have the deputation to thrust themselves on the Grand Duke , and criticise the administration of justice in Tuscany . Having convicted Sir Culling of insolence in writing to him at all , Mr . Lucas launches out . into generalities , and lays down his dictum as to when and where Protestantism , or rather not- Catholicism , should be tolerated , and when and where it should be relentlessly put down : —

    " I shall not enter at any length with you into the difference between , on the one side , a Catholic Government in an exclusively Catholic country taking means to prevent the introduction of heresy for the first time among an exclusively Catholic population , and , on the other side , a Government , whether Catholic or Protestant , ruling over a mixed population of Catholic and Protestant subjects , whichever denomination may have the majority . In the former case no native inhabitant of the State can become ^ a Protestant without committing a crime in the sight of God , and without inflicting an injury upon society . ^ If i Avcre the ruler of such a State I would not allow the ' foreign preacher' to sow his noxious weeds among tho good com , tho

    and in the kind of repression to be used for preventing first introduction of heresy I would be guided by the circumstances of the case and considerations of expediency In countries , on the other hand , where heresy is of long standing , has become traditional , and does not necessarily imply guilt on the part of those who , in professing it , udhereonly to the creed in which they have been brought up , J would act differently . If 1 were a member of a constitutional State-, like Belgium or like England , on wlncnem side the majority happened to be , I would advociito ui « strictest impartiality and equality of treatment for « If I were an absolute monarch , under the hk'j ¦ m ;!' '"' stances I would practise the same rigid impartiality .

    Suppose , said Castleraigh , in attempting <<> <* P lflm to Talleyrand the principle of life assurance , " nu ]> i > o «« my life " equal to yours . "—Ah , said the courtly W ' ;^ way of running commentary , " metis e'est une fni > 'J ° supposition . " Suppose , says Mr . Lucas , that 1 wen . an absolute monarch—why that i . s the very position sought hy the Papacy everywhere . Mr . Lucas ronW

    nes : — " Show mo ii ease in which a Protestant mnjorif . y ^ ' ^^ treated b y a usurping , plundering , and op pressive ' ¦ „ .. lie minority , and I will be as forward in expressing " J ^ , donation at , the conduct , of the Catholic ° H j ! ! ^| l (> ll my sympathy with the Protestant oppressed . _ , i ' . ,, y you ( laro to suggest , to mo a similarity between ¦ ^ ami Ireland between the Madiais and Ul <> C lU ' ) 1 ( , ntlus land -between vour souping , swindling , «'" . ¦ ----- -- , t .

    ... I , I d (| H ' ' proselytism , the whole practical nun ol w . ,. , i ; , jn iln to root out the Christian faith , and to plant m "" ^ irlUstead ; to disturb , destroy , disorganize , lin 'J ! ; , ; ' ,,, i ,, fliiasunder an ancient and virtuous society by ' ' . " ^ ( j ^ ng , ences and foreign gold : to make men dcvilH , or j |(| U if it . were poNnibln , that is worse , rather than fixt \ u > r » lo Niive their souls in the pure way in whicli u ^ ^ j )( l , worshipped ( lod : when you dare to nugg <> Hl . ' ()( . Hll ( . | , rallel between resistance to tho first , bcginm ( , . nv | lf ) ;( ,,,, » revolutionary innovations , and of such no * . Ji (| I . ( , (<> from without , and the ellorts of tho Tory «»»/ , () 1 th »> maintain their plunder and their ferocious gin ' t , j , m throatH of a famished people , I turn irom Ui » h ^ tli with u contempt which uHBumlly there is no "' *>

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 16, 1852, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_16101852/page/6/