AN ARCTIC COLONY.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 755, 9 July 1853, Page 3

AN ARCTIC COLONY.

[Fiom tbe “ Briitania.” Feb. 2(>.]

The name of Captain Penny as an intrepid Arctic navigator, has become as well-known to us in England by his services in search of our lost friends, as his successful exertions as a skilful whaling master have been for years appreciated in the ports of Scotland. The serviceswhich he so lately rendered to the country were warmly appreciated by the Cabinet of Lord Derby, and by the grant of a field of action for his intelligence in those regions with the climate, products and resources of which his life- had made him familiar, they appear to have desired to reward him in such a form as was best suited to his previous life, and most likely to develope his knowledge and experience as a mariner. About ton years ago, when prosecuting the hard life of a whaler, Captain Penny discovered a large inlet on the west coast of Davis Straits, on the shore ot Cumberland Island, a little to the northward of the Hudson and Frobisher’s Straits, and of the parallel of Archangel. In this inland sea lie found, from repeated visits in following years, as well as from the reports of the natives, that the whales, which have been gradually fleeing from their old hunting grounds, had found refuge, and abounded in vast numbers in those spring and autumn months when the closing of the barrier ice in Davis Straits rendered the coasts inaccessible to whaling vessels. During a portion of this period the water in the inlet remained open, and it at once became evident to the practical mind of its discoverer that a fishing colony on the shore of the inlet could easily, by its whale boats, capture those monsters of the deep which otherwise escaped the skill and science of the whalers. These views of Captain Penny received a sudden and unexpected confirmation in the course of 1851, when, with three boats and only twelve seamen accidentally left in the inlet by an American whaler, with the aid of the Esquimaux at least sixteen" whales were killed in the spring months, though the men were but ill supplied with the proper and usual appliances for prosecuting their hazardous occupation. With this practical confirmation of his previous expectations Captain Penny’s course was clear for opening to British enterprise his valuable discovery” and the more so as he had found abundance of mineral wealth on the shores ot the inlet, and many a position within its waters where the iDour of its winter could be borne without risk or danger. Supported and aided by practical men of business, our active navigator at once solicited from the Crown a grant of land around the inlet, where he might place his fishing settle-

ment, and work by native aid the numerous resources of the country. Ever alive to the interests of our colonies, Sir John Pakington did not delay to investigate the case, and rapidly recognising its commercial advantages, sanctioned a lease of the inlet and its adjacent shores to its energetic discoverer and his friends, incorporating the adventurers by charter as the Royal Arctic Company. The resignation of the Derby Cabinet before steps could be completed for the concession of the charter, has thrown on the new President, of the Board Trade the responsibility which was naturally intended for his predecessor. We cannot, however for a moment suppose that Mr. Cardwell, would peril so practical and henefical a scheme by the refusal of the charter, which is necessary for its full completion and successful progress. Were the Arctic Company, by which these objects are to he carried out, a mere whaling partnership, with a fishing station on the scene of its operations, the precedents of the charters granted to the Southern Whale Fishery in 1847, and to the Falkland Island Company in 1851, would seem decisive in its favour. The Company however embraces other objects, and as a mining and colonising association, in a new and almost unknown land, and under a trying climate, it may justly claim the same privileges conceded, in early days to the Hudson’s Bay Corporation, and so very lately extended to th*e mining companies of Australia. With the commercial prospects of the project this is not the place to debate. It is sufficient for us that such a scheme lias mot with liberal support in the whaling ports of the north and is brought hefoie the public under the sanction of men of influence and practical acquaintance with the duties it must discharge. It is difficult to overrate file advantages the whalers of the north must derive from the impetus given by this project in general, and from the creation of a settlement so far north, where they will ever he welcome, and may find a sure refuge in difficulty, distress, or danger. There is, however, a view of this adventure on which we must say a few words. We regard this settlement in Northumberland inlet as the first movement towards the civilising and Christianising the tribes of Esquimaux that abound in its vicinity, and thus, by God’s aid, extending the blessings of religion and knowledge among these truly amiable and peaceful people. All who have visited these natives agree in representing them as peculiarly open to good influences, and especially adapted by their amiable tempers and happy dispositions, to receive instructions with gladneas and appreciate the blessings of religion. For their own settlers the company will naturally provide a spiritual instructor, and we cannot doubt that they will hesitate to give every aid and support in their power to promoting Christian missions among the Esquimaux. The Royal sanction to their labours implied in a charter will not be without its good effect on the simple natives whilst it would give confidence to those of the religious public who would gladly join in supporting sneh missionary exertions, and especially, promote a cordial co-operation with the present great missionary societies of the English Church.