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Leader (1850-1860), 4th October 1851, Edition Town of 2, Page 939, Untitled Article

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      send out two or more boat parties , to explore the coast east and west of the Mackenzie Kiyer . Being in charge of the Mackenzie River district , he received the necessary instructions to carry out the above intention ; but as Commander Pullen , in the Plover had received orders about the flame time to return-to- the Arctic coast , proceed along shore eastr ward as far as Cape Bathurst , and thence strike out to sea for Banks ' s Land ; and as the stock of provisions at the stations in the district of Fort Simpion were only sufficient for one party , Dr . Rae s expedition was delayed , and precedence given to Commander Pullen . Ultimately , however , Dr . Rae received provisions , owing to the foresig ht of Sir George Simpson : —

      " It being the belief of those on whose judgment most reliance can be placed , that the missing vessels are shut tip somewhere between the longitude of 103 degrees and 115 degrees west , and latitude 71 degrees north , it is evident that the most direct route thither from the southward is the Coppermine River , and that is the route intend to follow next summer , if I receive no intelligence that the searching parties of this season have been successful . To carry out my intentions I started from Fort Simpson with two boats , Mr . H . M'Keniiie ( an assistant ) and fourteen men , on the 23 rd of August ; owing to the head winds and stormy weather on this large lake I

      did not arrive here until the 10 th ultimo . This is to be our winter quarters , and fortunately the houses were in as good condition as when I left them last autumn , requiring nothing but doors , windows , and a coat of mud to make them habitable . As we could not expect a long continuance of fine weather , no time was lost in establishing fisheries , and procuring venison from the natives , so as to lay up a winter stock , in which we have been more successful than I at one time anticipated , having already on hand about two months' provisions for all our party , amounting to eighteen persons and thirteen dogs . "What I feared would be the most difficult matter to

      accomplish was the building of two boats , light enough to be transported across the Coppermine , as it was very generally thought that the wood in this neighbourhood was not suitable for that purpose ; and the late Mr . Simpson mentions in his narrative that his carpenter had much trouble in finding boards sufficiently good to repair his boats . I am happy to say that we have succeeded much better than was anticipated , one of the boats being already more than half finished , and boards enough sawn to complete both . They are to be twentytwo feet keel , six feet six inches beam , and two feet three inches deep midships , exclusive of keel , and each rigged with two lug-sails .

      " It may be supposed by many that to continue the search for Sir John Franklin beyond the summer of 1850 , if not then found , would be a useless waste of time , labour , and money ; but with this supposition I cannot agree , and my opinion is founded on a personal experience which few persons have had an opportunity of acquiring , find which leads me to believe that a part or all of Sir Jo / m ' s parti / may still exist in 1851 . In 1846-7 1 wintered atltepulse Bay with a party of twelve men , only two of whom , before arriving there , had ever

      practised deer shooting , and two others were fishermen . "We had little or no fuel that could be properly so called ; the mud with which our stone house was plastered never dried but only froze , and it was ho cold inside that a man , our night , got his knee frost-bittrn , although he had one of his companions under the blankets with him . Yet avc suU ' cicd no privation as regarded food , except that during the shortest days we took only one mealier diem as a precautionary measure , not knowing how late it might be- in the spring before the reindeer migrated northward .

      " That we wore not much the worse for our exposure to cold and low diet may be inferred from the fact that , in the spring , we traced about 600 miles of new coast , forming the shores of Committee Hay , in doing which I and one of my men travelled on foot upwards of 1000 miles , and were , on our return ( although rather low in flesh ) as Bound and well as when we started . " When leaving York factory , in June , 1846 , we had not more than four months' provisions with us ; when we returned to that place , after an absence of fourteen months

      ami twenty-three , days , we had still a third of our otiginal stock of provisions on hand , showing that we had by our own ixei tions , in a country previously totally unknown to \ in , obtained the means of subsistence for twelve months . Why rimy not Sir I . Franklin ' d pnrty do the same ? If he has been providentially thrown on or near a part of the count where reindeer and fish are at all nuiik-ioui ; , surely out of bo many oflicers and men sportsmen m ; iy be found , after some practice , expert enough to t . hoot the former , uml fishermen to seize or net the latter , or take them with hook and line net under the ice

      " When 1 began this letter it . was my object to give you as brief un outline us possible of my contemplated operations ; but I have digrcssi d sadly , and must now endeavour to return to the subject . In the spring , should our stock of provisions admit ol it , I purpose proceeding , with a couple << f companions and a nit rtge of three dogs , in the beginning of May , iifteen or twenty days * innrch to the noi tliward , between Yictoi i ; i and Wollaston Lands , iui in ) - ; wbich trip 1 hope to travel , 000 or 600 miU ' s (/ . « ., ' 2 < or ; UK ) miles out and the winu diiitmicu homeward ) , should

      we meet , with no very sciioum obstacle . In the mean lime provisions ( or the summer ' s voyiige will be hauled on il < df . es and deposited at the Kendal Jtiver , to which place tli < - lioutH inn to be lii'ouglit over ns noon as the Dcaiic . River breaks up , which may be about the 6 th or ^ tli of June , whrn 1 shall be nt the Kendnl to meet them , anil prepared to descend the Coppermine us soon i-s M , Income s clear of ice . The direction to be afterwardu followed will depend much upon the Htate of the bcu ice , and the appcunuice and the treading of the lunds that I i'HU viriited in my previouu journey .

      " The winter sets in here rather early , the thermometer having fallen to zero ( Fahr . ) on the 23 rd ultimo . Since then the weather has been mild for the season , with continued easterly winds , which , for the past week , has caused our hunters to be unsuccessful , as it has led the deer ( which invariably travel head to wind ) to a great distance . " . Brave John Kae ! Heartily we wish that success may attend thy persevering and gallant efforts in search of Franklin and his men . John Rae and the Hudson ' s Bay Company shame John Russell and the Lords of the Admiralty !

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      LORD LONDONDERRY AND ABD-EL-KADER . Lord Londonderry , it is well known , has interested himself considerably in favour of the liberation of Abd-el-Kader . The story of the Arab Chief is well known . He surrendered to General Lamonciere in 1847 , on condition that he should be sent to Syria or Egypt . The Due d'Aumale commanded the French army in Algiers , at that time . In violation of all the rules of war , and the express condition on which the brave Emir capitulated , he was taken to France , and has since been detained a close prisoner . General Lamoriciere , when Minister of "War under the Cavaignac Ministry , took no steps to obtain the

      release of the captive . Since that time Lord Londonderry has visited the Chateau of Amboise , in which Abd-el-Kader is confined , and he has written eeveral letters to Louis Napoleon on the subject . The latest comes to us through the medium , of the Morning Post . Lord Londonderry , in writing to the editor of that journal , is hopeful of the speedy release of the gallant Arab . He considers that the reply of Louis Napoleon to the subjoined letter is bo " conclusive , that it liberates him from the firm resolution he had formed , of publishing all the documents and letters in his possession of the Due d'Aumale ' s and General Lamoriciere ' s , relative to the capitulation of the Emir and his brothers . " Lord Londonderry

      further explains : — " My despatch to the President was official , and sent through his Minister of War ; his answer to me may , however , in some degree , bear a private character , and therefore I have omitted , in ^ forwarding it to you , one or two paragraphs not necessary to the fact of the decision he has arrived at . He thinks the honour of France engaged to the liberation of the Emir ' ; and , therefore he declares his belief that , sooner or later , it will be accomplished . If I judge my friend at all right , what his feeling heart has dared to pronounce his courageous soul will dare to acomplish . "

      ( Copy . ) " The Tower of Garron , Co . of Antrim , Ireland , August 23 , J 85 I . " Mon Prince , —A considerable period has now elapsed since I received your princely word , ' Le 29 Mars—Qu ' aujourdhui miSme mon nouvel ambaseadeur a . Constantinople est charge par moi d ' eludier cette question ( la mise en Iibert 6 d' Abd-el-Kader ) . Is it too much , Sire , under our former relations , to solicit information at your hands as to the progress of your Ambassador ' s negotiations , and what has been , or is likely to be , the result ?

      ' Mere phraEes and words do not belong to Louis Napoleon , unless prosperity produces a different nature from adversity . Your Chambers are about to be prorogued , your splendid fetes to the Industry of all Nations are past , there is surely now time to turn a thought on the poor prisoner of Amboise . In the intoxicating fairy land of the Hotel de Ville , Avhen hundreds and thousnnds of souls poured the wide stream of flattery and incense around you , did the thought never occur , ' Where was Abd-el-Kader ? ' In the splendid array of the elite of the warlike and noble army of France , in her Champ de Mars , amidst the enthusiastic cries of ' Vive Napoleon , ' did no pang shoot across your bosom , 1

      Where was Abd-cl-Kader ? In the delicious groves of St . Cloud , surrounded by the Commissioners of the Industry of all Nationfi , with flattery of diplomatists , and ladies hanging on your smiles , while the most conspicuous , from her temporary position , hung upon your aim , did it never occur to you , ' Where is Abd-el-Kader i' In these hours of glory may I not demand of the nephew of the Emperor Napoleon ( to-day the President of the Republic ) whether it may not be reserved for him , and him alone ( if he follow the iriHtinct of his own frank and fearless nature ) , to save the honour of France by observing the capitulation of the LCtnir .

      " Can it be possible , mon Prince , that the miserable warfare of the Kabyleu , much less your own fears , thut the act of liberating AI ) d-el-Ku < ler should arrest , you in the accomplishment of a . just and meritorious action to which your proclaimed opinion has committed you ; and not alone meritorious , but demanded at your hands by those keen /( clings of suspense , agony , ami Hullering which your own breast can better appreciate Mum any oilier living man ? Are mich trifling qualms jih 1 have described to permit , you entirely to Ioho the real point of view of thin gencrouH and just question ? The nephew of Napoleon would , indeed , lie an object of pity , if not of condemnation , were he to be turned from the route of clemency , and to be paralyzed in his ' plus beau elan de generosity . '

      " JJelieve me , the opposition to the Emir ' n deliverance , whether from your army , your Chambers , or your Uovernmi nt , or even the loss of more of your biave army in Algeria , can never hold u moment ' s comparison with removing an historical uml ineiluccublo stain from your country und the French name , with respect to which no remedy would cxint . If Abd-el-Kader was to

      die in Louis Napoleon ' s prison , there would be the blot no waters of Lethe could ever wash out . " If you now longer hesitate , who can pronounce if you will remain with the power for this noble achievement ? Louis Philippe kept Louis Napoleon , notwithstanding his princely parole , in durance vile . Louia Philippe became an exile , and Louis Napoleon was raised to govern France . Can Louis Napoleon imitate the scourge under which he was himself striped ? and can he range hishitherto honourable name with that of a D'Aumale or a * Lamoriciere , in a treacherous and broken promise , contrary to all the rules of war and of civilized nations ? that itulate all

      " It is not , mon Prince , I recap these arguments to force your noble mind to the rectitude of a . proceeding which your declaration before Europe substantiates in your own words even stronger than mine ; but it is for the object of demonstrating the fatal consequences that may accrue to your own magnanimity if further delays intervene or are permitted . Inform me , then , what has La Valette done in his negotiations with the Porte as to affording another residence in the East to the great captive . Inform me of the position in which matters no stand as to the negotiation between General Aupick , your present ambassador , and the Sultan . Inform me , in fact mon Prince , whence the delay in your resoWes . What is your present determination ? For the Iwre of Heaven and your own glorious name

      "' Take the instant way , For Honour travels in a strait so narrow , "Where one but goes abreast : keep then the path-« * * ? * If you give way , Or hedge aside from the direct forthright , Like to an entered tide , they all rush by And leave you hindmost ; Or , like a gallant horse fallen in first rank , Lie there for pavement to the abject rear . ' " Thus you may leave , under timid vacillation and fearful prejudicesto some inglorious successor to

      , supreme power in France the crown of glorious sympathy and liberty to Abd-el-Kader , with which you might now decorate your fair and , I still believe , faultless brow . « ' In conclusion , mon Prince , I do not add ( by way of menace to a aoul like yours , who knows no fear ) the determination that I have arrived at , if this , my last appeal , produces neither result nor positive data of hopes os success , I shall immediately give to the public and to the world the correspondence and letters , copies of which are in my possession , of the Due d'Aumale and General Lamoriciere , as I have pledged myself to do in my place in the House of Lords . . „

      "I would not wish to bear hardly upon the Due d'Aumale , who may require pity and commiseration for princely weakness , and who may have been in the handsof others ; but for General Lamoriciere , who evinced tothe world ( brave soldier f as all declare him to be ) neither generosity nor good faith , in not securing to himself ( when he was Minister of War ) the deliverance of the man whom he had deceived and betrayed in the capitulation with the Emir , I think and feel no public exposition of the transaction can become too notorious . Waiting with great anxiety , mon Prince , your answer to this last appeal , I have the honour to be , ever your sincere friend , Vane Londondeukt . " To the President of the French Republic , &c . &c /* Louis Bonaparte ' s reply was as follows ;—" Elyseu National , Sept . 13 , 1851 .

      " My dear Lord Londonderry , —I have received your lelter of the 25 th of August . You recal to my mind the misfortunes of the Emir Abd-el-Kader—a very natural proceeding on your part ; but you ask me if the possession of power has changed my heart . You should know me well enough to be aware that honours are but a burden in my si ^ , powerless to dazzle my understanding , or to paralyze the noble dispositions of my soul . When , therefore , I do not accomplish all the good 1 desire— -it is that 1 cannot . My intentions with regard to the ttmir are not changed . 1 have found the Ottoman Porte very well disposed to receive him ; but I have also found the obstacles , for the moment at least , very great . * * * * The Minister of War went to see Abd-el-Kader a few days since , and found him very resigned . He made him understand that he must wait some time yet , and he tried to alleviate his situation in every possible way . * * * * * # * *

      " You see , my dear lord , that I Kpeak to you with frankness . 1 know what a noble heart you have . You will understand my position , and the duties which it imposes upon me . Accept the assurance of my peculiar and high CBtcttn , and of my friendship . " Louis Napolkon . "

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      ruiJLic orinion . The Sheffield Free J ' ress has ai capital article called the " Vieturm of Society " preached upon the text , 41 that the competitive principle boin ^ radically wrong , no eircuinstnnccH , however apparently favourable ; , can cause it to work well . " The Voluntary System in Education occupies tho J . ancastcr ( luardmn . The theme \ h that voluntary exertion would be no more eflicacious in education than in religion . The writer regards the voluntary system in education u . s hitherto " » honelenH and ininornblo failure " : — " If the Lancashire ( jongrcgatioiiulints are satisfied with what the voluntary system Iiiih doiin for education , why would they claim » " r « , ual triumph , » f « ' !»<» " lnu , » and no ... ore , for religion ? We have no wish to undervalue their exertions in Hie promotion as well of religion uh of ' education . Hut . »<¦ i » <»« »• " tlwythcy have overrated both what they have done , and what they arc able to do And if we may judge of other people ' s feelings

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      Oct . 4 , 1851 . ] «•* **«»» & 939

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 4, 1851, page 939, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1903/page/7/