THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 33, 17 January 1846, Page 4

THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION.

The Barelto Junioi transport, which vessel, laden with stores for Captain John Franklin's expedition, accompanied the Erebus and Terror, Captain Crozier, to the edge of the ice, had returned, and by her several letters had been received from officers ou board. The following is from one of ttte principals: —

Whale Fish Islands, June 11, 1845. " Here we aie, laden and moored in a snug lutle cove among the Whale Fish Islands, east coast of Greenland, lat. 699, long. 5310 W. One would have hardly thought it possible for two such ships as the Erebus and Terror, to have taken on board all the provisions, &c , that were on board the transport, but with very little exception, such is the case. I certainly never saw any ships so deep before, and I felt anxious, like the boy with the walnut shell, in a basin of water, to see if the vessels could bear it. One thing is certain, our fellows, who aie in high spirits, arid in robust health, will make a large hole in the comestibles every day, and therefore we shall ' improve our sailing qualities as we lighten,' as they say of the sui veyor's ships. "The weather here is delightful. We have the sun all the 24 hours, and the middle of the day is really very warm, notwithstanding from the top of the island, you can count, speaking within bounds, at least a thousand icebeigs. " The transport leaves to moirow, and we pursue our voyage on Monday. We have received accounts from the Danes that the state of the ice to the northward is very favourable to our enterprise. This is very gratifying, and will be an additional incentive to our gallant chief, to push on, though with all the zeal and freshness of youth, he hastheabihty, prudence,and caution of the sexagenarian; and while considering the gloiions advantages which he would reap from complete success, he nevertheless calculates the sacrifice he must inevitably risk. But who knows ? We may get through this year. Then how delighted I should be to pitch an upper deck load overboard, consisting of forty tons, and nearly 100 casks. "We are working away here from fo f:r in the morning until six. Wo have then some shooting until noon. Theie are quantities of eider duck here ; they resort to this latitude in the breeding season. As yet we have seen no ice except bergs, winch are considered as such by the whaleis. For two da)s previous to our reaching her<», we were threading our way through them. It is a giand sight to witness one of the icebergs capsize; they come over with the reverberating noise of thunder, and generally speaking, gradually fall to pieces l! P.S.—I have w litten this hasty letter by the midnight sun.''

General Order.—The following general order relative to the Aictic expedition, had been promulgated arnonirst the officers and men of the American navy. " General Order :—lnfoimation has been leceived at this department that Her Britannic Majesty's ships Erebus and Terror, are pioceeding to make a further attempt for the accomplishment of a north-west passage by sea irom the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. In compliance with the request of the British government, communicated by Her Majesty's Minister til Washington, and to the end that the government of the United States may manifest its interest in the effort to advance the bounds of human knowledge, all officeis in the naval service of the United States, are hereby authorised and dnected to afford every assistance in their power, in case of need, to the commanders of these vessels, in promotion of the object of the expedition."— Gkorge Bancroft. — Naval Depaitment, Jiy»e 11.