News of Sir John Franklin's Expedition
The New York Herald.
Morning Edition - Saturday, october 20, 1849
[From the London Chronicle, Oct. 5.]
The following gratifying communication from the Secretary of the Admiralty, has been made public, from which it will be seen that no doubt is entrtained in the highest official quarters, as to the authenticity of intelligence received by the  Shipping and Mercantile Gazette, which we append below: -
 
ADMIRALTY, Oct. 4, 1849
From the Communications made this day to the Lords of the Admiralty, by the editor fof the Mercantile and Shipping Gazette, evening newspaper, some fopes are entrtained that the news brought by Captain Parker, of the Truelove, arriver at Hull, from Davis Straights, of Sir John Franklin's ships having been seen by the Natives as late as March last, beset by the ice in Prince Regent's Inlet, is not without foundation.
 
From the same source reports have been received that Sir James (John) Ross's ships are  on the the south side of Prince Regent's Inlet, and that the vessels of both expeditions are safe.
 
 This hope is somewhat strengthened by a telegraphic message to the Admiralty since received from the Mayor of Hull, where the Truelove arrived last night.
 
[From the Mercantile Gazette of last night]
 
 We have the pleasure in publishing the following most important intelligence, which has reached us this morning from our agents. It leads us to hope that the expedition of Sir John Franklin was all safe, beset in the ice, in March last: -
 
LONGHOPE,Orkney, Sept. 29, 1849.
Put in Truelove, Parker, from Davis's Straights, for Hull.  He penetrated the ice as far as Prince Regent's Inlet, in search of Sir John Franklin's Expedition; but could get no further than the entrance, on account of solid ice. But from accounts received from natives, Sir John Franklin is still in Prince Regent's inlet, beset, and Sir James Ross on the south side of Prince Regent's Inlet, with all four vessels safe, being seen by natives, in the month of March last. He has also a drawing of the four vessels, made by a native. He has no account of the North Star.
 
The above information was furnished to our Longhope correspondent, by Capt. Parker. The Truelove arrived at Hull last night, and we have, this day, received from Hull the following confirmation of the statement: -
 
[ BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH ]
 
Hull, Oct. 4, 1849 - 11 A.M.
News has just reached here, by the Truelove, Parker, from Davis's Straits, of Sir John Franklin's Expedition. They are said to have been  in Prince Regent's Inlet, all well, in March last. This account was obtained from the natives.
 
We have been favored with the following copy of a letter from the commander of H.M.S. North Star, which, from her position, will account for this vessel not being seen by the Truelove: -
 
TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY.
 
H.M.S. NORTH STAR, July 19, 1849
Lat 74 03 N., lon 59 40 W
Sir - Iaddressed a letter to their lordships on the 18th ult., when in lat. 73 30 N., and lon. 56 53 W., detailing the particulars of my proceedings up to that date, which latter was sent by a boat from the Lady Jane, whaler, which vessel was wrecked, and whose boats were proceeding to the Danish settlements. Since then, I regret to state, our progress has been  almost entirely stopped, owing to the ice being so placed across Melville Bay as to render it  perfectly impassable.
 
On the 6th inst., finding it imposible to make any progress, I deemed it advisable to run as far S. as 72 deg., examining  the pack as we went along. At 72 deg. 2 min. the pack appeared slacker, and we entered it, and after proceeding about  twelve miles, found ourselves copletely stopped by large floes of ice. We accordingly put back, and steered again for the northward.
 
Having this day reached the latitude of 74 deg. 3 min. N., and long. 59 deg. 40 min. W., the ice appeared more open, and we stood in towards the land, when we observed two boats approaching, and  which afterwards, on coming alongside, were found to belong to the Prince of Wales whaler, which vessel was nipped by the ice, on 12th instant, in Melville Bay.
 
By the captain of the Prince of Wales I forward this letter to their lordships, he intending to proceed in his boats to the Danish settlements. I have the honor to be, & c.,
 
J. SAUNDERS, Master and Commander.
 
P.S.  - Crew all well on board.
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