HISTORIC LETTER

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 150, 21 December 1929, Page 14

HISTORIC LETTER

SIR R. M'CLURE

IN POLAR ICE

NORTH-WEST PASSAGE

A few weeks ago there was published in the "Evening Post" the first portion of a letter, hitherto unpublished, written by Admiral Sir Robert M' Clure, the discoverer of tho North-West Passage. The letter was writton on board H.M.S. Investigation in the Polar Sea. Sir Eobert M'Clure, in addition to seeking the North-West Passage, was also in search of remains of the Sir John Franklin expedition, .and had to abandon his-Bhip in the ice in 1854. The letter, which is supposed to have been addressed to Mr. John Lo Mesurier, was found some time ago amongst the New Zealand Government dispatches, but how it came to New Zealand is unknown. Following is a continuation of the letter:— H.M.S. Investigation, Bay of- Mercy, Polar Sea, 10th April, 1853. jc*rom this until the 24th (August, 1850) we made our way along the coast through dangers, difficulties, and disasters; sufficient to say, we ran on shore, lost a twelve-months' beef by the upsetting of a boat—a great and irreparable calamity, and got crushed about very much by heavy ice. On that day, being off Point Warren, a little to the eastward of the Mackenzie (Biver),' some natives were observed; and, going to communicate, ■we found instead of the usual friendly signals, that; we were accosted with horrible savage yells and gestures, indicative. that we should go away. Nothing alarmed, we "landed, and these simple people retreated with bows in hand and arrows on the string, until hailed by- the interpreter, when they appeared less terrified, and when assured of our friendly intentions, they came to a parley. Not, however, until our guns were taken back to the boat •would they approach; after which they put up their knives, and returned their arrows to the quiver. We found them a very warlike set, and are at enmity ■with all other tribes to the eastward of the Mackenzie. This we ascertained ■ was correct from those we met at Cape Bathurst. A LONELY GRAVE. By aid of a few presents, we soon became friends; got supplied with a large quantity of the pintail duck; but all their valuable skins had been sent across a lake immediately they discovered the ship, not knowing what to make of her. They called it the fast- . moving island—the old chief frequently remarking "that it was very dangerous." ' They do not trade, as I anticipated, with the Hudson Bay Company, but with the tribe we had last parted from—whose chief was named Attowoo. Immediately the/ interpreter mentioned him, they were evidently pleased, clapping their hands and exclaiming: "He is a great chief." They had a legend which we could not exactly fathom, relative to the death of a white man; also of a hut which was built by ■ some Europeans. A post marked the former event, and a very old hut upon the extreme ct the point,-the' other. They said the man was murdered by one of the tribe which had gone away with the skins; but the only answer as to the date of either event was, '/Oh, it might be yesterday or when I was a child." If it over occurred. I should think the latter period the most probable. The white inan'a grave, I should have.opened, only it came' on to blow so**fresh on the shore that I was fearful of not getting off; so it remains a mystery; but the grave was evidently of very old date, as was a flat button which ornamented the old man's «ar. The button was said to have been taken off the wanderer's jacket. We parted most excellent friends, and the promise was given that if any more white men came on, their grounds they should be kindly received. , MEETING THE ESQXTIMEAUX. It is a fact worth knowing that the reason this tribe will not trade with the Mackenzie, but prefer crossing its mouth some distance up to the westward to traffic with our friend Attowoo, is that the white men give some very bad water, "which make Esquimeaux Indians.sick, and they will not have any M it;Vso you see the 'company lose many valuable skins, which would be .avoided by giving useful articles in lieu of bad brandy. On the 31st we anchored under' the Baillan Islands, and went to Cape Bathurst, a distance.of nine, miles, in the cutter to visit an encampment of -Ksquimeaux. Many active young warriors came tunning to the beach, shouting and: brandishing knives. Among them was a venerable, grey-headed enief, who eertawly had great influence, for on my making signs of peace, he _made them all put their weapons up and advanced to the conference. These natives remember Sir J. Richardson; and one young fellow, by way of describing him, imitated his walk, which, as I am not acquainted with Sir John, X did not recognise, but the surgeon, Who was an assistant to him, remarked it instantly. We remained a couple of hours. Upon parting, we made several presents, and gave a gun to the chief as payment for taking my dispatches to the Good Hope—which he promised faithfully to do. The next day we reached the Cape and being nearly calm we had many visitors on board—men and women. We hoisted their boats on board, and aancmg and music was kept up with much spirit until well into the evening when, a breeze springing up, I was anxious to; set sail; but our visitors were so much gratified it was some time .before I could get them out of the ship, and that only by threatening to put them on the ice, which alarmed them, as that part of the ice swarms with bears. They invited us to a banquet.of whale, walrus, blubber, seal, deer, ducks, salmon, wolf, foxes, and mice. I was compelled to refuse the intended honour.