CAPTAIN HALL'S EXPEDITION—DEPARTURE FOR THE POLE.

Evening Post, Volume VII, Issue 221, 24 October 1871, Page 2

CAPTAIN HALL'S EXPEDITION—DEPARTURE FOR THE POLE.

St. John's, N.F., 28th August, IS7L — The United States ship Congress has just returned here from Greenland, having made a splendid voyage of 2509 miles to "Disco, latitude 70, in less thaD 13 running days. The Congress left Sfc. Johns 3d August and anchored at Disco on the 10th. On the trip she passed hundreds of immense iceberg 3, bnt encountered no pack ice. The season is very open, not unlike May in New York. As we advanced day became perpetual. The sun sunk below the horizon but for a short time, and the twilight was sufficient to read ky all night. Displays of the aurora borealis were extremely grand, tb? meteoric lights assuming magnificent arches, columns, scrolls, and spiral stairways. "We fuiiuu the Polam at Disco but six days in advance.. Captain Hall, with eight Esquimaux, boarded us a mile from the harbour, and was astonished and delighted at the quickness of our passage. Captain Hall and his men are in good spirits and sure of sue cess. Some trouble had arisen between Captain Hall and his scientific associates as to the special object of the expedition, which threatened to be serious, but by the judicious and (inn interposition of Captain Davenport, who laid down the naval law, and stated that the paramount object "was getting to the North Pole, harmony was restored.

The Polaris sailed on the 17th August, in the afternoon, amid three cheers from the Congress. Captain .Hall, instead of going via Jones' Sound, will keep to the west side of Smith's Sound, as there are ice drifts southwesterly, which embayed Kane's advance. As the season is open he hopes to get through this year. The Congress remained eight days at Disco, and found a regular Summer in Greenland; flowers blooming, brooklets flowing, birds singing babies rollicking on ths grass. In going to the big glacier the perspiration rolled off us like rain drops. Disco is the official residence of the Inspector General of North 'Greenland. His name his Smith. His wife is a charming, educated lady. ' She performed for U3 on the piano, playing "Home, Sweet Home," "Star Spangled Banner,"' and "Yankee Doodle," entertaining us admirably. She is opposed to female suffrage. Captain Davenport was received with a salute of 15 guns, when lie presented Secretary's Robeson's letter, stating the object of his visit and soliciting the co-operation of the Dutch authorities with Captain Hall's expedition, which was cheerfully accorded. The stores which the Polaris could not take were left in In-spector-General Smith's care at Disco. Captain Davenport and Smith have exchanged hospitalities, saluted and dined with'each other in becoming style. The .Congress is the largest ship ever in Disco Bay. The., natives called it "Big Eyak." :The Esquimaux of Disco live comfortably. Their clothing is of sealskins. The women wear breeches and high top boots. Some of them are beautiful. The men are industrious, the children attend school, and all are Lutherans. On Sunday the Inspector and his wife, Captain Hall and his crew, and one hundred Esquimaux in holiday attire, attended diviue service on board the Congress. Dr. Newman preached 'one of his characteristic sermons. All are well. The Danes and natives were favorably

impressed with the competent.and gentle--ttia.tfitf officers' of the Congress, and wished their'retur'ri next y«?ai*. The Congres3 ; da fcnxte t stopped here two days coaling. Captaiu Davenport called on the Governor of Newfoundland, but his Excellency had gone to Antigua to marry/ a young bride. The people of St. Jofo»s prefer annexation to the United States to connection with the Dominion Confederation, being unwilling to, bear .the burdens of Canada without realizing commensurate benefits from such alliance. Newfoundland needs American capital to develope her coal and copper mines and marble quarries, and restore her fisheries to their ancient prosperity. English manufactured cloth aud wearing • apparel ai'e 100 per cent cheaper here than in the States".