Greenland, the Innuit of North America, and the Tchuktches of Behring's Straits. It is probable, therefore, that these people first reached the American continent from the east of Asia. The Tchuktches are the only tribe of Siberia who have maintained their independence; and have defied, assisted by the horrid rigors of nature, the overwhelming power of Russia. The other tribes of Siberia narrate how one of the races called by them the Omoki, whose homes. were as numerous on the banks of the Lena as the stars of an Arctic night, did formally remove to unknown regions; supposed by them to be in a north-eastern direction. They also tell of another tribe, termed the Onkillon, who, having been attacked by the Tchuktches, took shelter in a distant land to the northward from Cape Jakan. This land has now been found actually to exist in that direction.

These people eventually reached the shores of Davis' Straits and the Atlantic Ocean; and some of them even advanced as far as Lancaster Sound, along the Parry Group. Compelled by the necessities of food, and attracted by the products of fishing and hunting, they eventually reached Behring's Straits; and thus this unfortunate race extended over a vast proportion of those inhospitable but habitable realms which lie nearest to the Pole. Among the proofs of this fact furnished by the researches of Captain Osborn's expedition, may be mentioned the following: Ruins of the description already mentioned, were found between Bathurst and Cornwallis Land, on the whole southern shore of Cornwallis Island, on Capes Spencer and Riley, on Radstock Bay, Ommaney Harbor, Cape Warrender, and on the shores of Jones' Sound. Formerly, also, many Esquimaux lived even at the head of Baffin's Bay. On the coast northward of Cape York, many deserted villages and dead bodies have been found; clearly indicating the existence of a people who have now either become ex

tinct, or have congregated in a less rigorous locality. All these tribes and races, whatever they may have been, undoubtedly belonged to the general Esquimaux family, who first originated in the north-eastern extremity of Asia.

ARCTIC SEARCHING EXPEDITION; A JOURNAL OF A BOATVOYAGE THROUGH RUPERT'S LAND AND THE ARCTIC SEA, IN SEARCH OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN, BY SIR JOHN RICHARDSON, IN 1851.

THE Commander of this expedition was directed by the British admiralty to leave England in a mailsteamer for Halifax and New York; and from the latter place to proceed to Montreal, in order to confer with Sir George Simpson, governor of the Hudson Bay company's settlements. He was ordered thence to travel by Lake Huron to Saut Ste. Marie and Lake Superior, and there embark with a small crew, and sail along the chain of lakes until he overtook Mr. Bell, whom it was supposed he would find at Isle a la Crosse.

With four boats well adapted to this service, Sir John Richardson was ordered to proceed and examine the extensive North American coast between the Mackenzie and Coppermine Rivers. Passing the winter at Fort Good Hope, or Confidence, near Great Bear Lake, he was directed in the following spring to resume his journey, and explore the passages between Wollaston, Banks', and Victoria Lands, so as to cross the routes of Sir J. C. Ross' detached parties; and thence to return again to Great Bear Lake. It was hoped that this comparatively novel and untried direction of search, might probably reveal some satisfactory indications or memorials of the fate and situation of Sir John Franklin.

The length of this interior navigation to the Arctic Sea from Montreal, is about 4,400 miles. Sixteen hundred of these are performed on the Mackenzie

River and its tributaries. The boats employed in this expedition measured 30 feet in length, six in breadth, three in depth; and were provided with masts, sails, oars, anchors, and tools; and each weighed half a ton. A crew of five men was deemed sufficient for each. Among the seamen selected to man the boats, were sappers, miners, carpenters, blacksmiths, armorers, and engineers. These four boats properly provisioned, were embarked, together with the men of the expedition, on board the "Prince of Wales" and "Westminster," bound to York Factory, one of the posts of the Hudson Bay company; and there both ships eventually arrived, after a stormy passage, with the boats and their respective crews. In May, 1851, Sir John Richardson and his chief associate, Mr. Rae, left the house of Mr. Ballenden, at Saut Ste. Marie, near Lake Superior, and entered on the active duties of their expedition.

We will omit some details of their travels, as long as these continue through those intermediate regions which are not directly connected with the Arctic Zone; and which throw but little light upon the peculiarities of that remote portion of the earth. The expedition pursued its designated route, until at length they entered the estuary of the Mackenzie River. At four o'clock in the morning they embarked, and crossing a shallow bar at the end of a sand-bank, they steered between Richards' Island and the main land. They soon perceived about 200 Esquimaux coming toward them in their canoes, and three umiaks filled with women and children. It was necessary to beat off these intruders, who by hanging on to the sides of the boats impeded their progress; nor were the voyagers certain that no hostile attack was intended by these half-starved and importunate semi

savages.

As soon as these two parties in the several boats came in contact, a buisy scene of barter began to be enacted. The Esquimaux had arrows, bows, knives

of copper, or of bone, and articles of that description to sell; and for these they received in return knives, files, hatchets, awls, and needles. The articles obtained by the explorers were indeed of little service. to them; but they wished to conciliate the Esquimaux; and inasmuch as the latter considered a gift without an equivalent accepted in return as an insult, it was necessary to barter with them in order to furnish them the articles which they desired. The English boats were much incommoded by the crowds of Esquimaux who were disposed to hold on to their sides, and it became necessary to use violence sometimes to compel them to release their grasp. At length the boat commanded by Lieutenant Clark was attacked by the Esquimaux around it. An attempt was made to plunder it. A struggle ensued between the crew of six men and the assailants, and a musket was fired by Lieutenant Clark, as a signal to his associates for assistance. The other boats then immediately wore around, and came to the protection of the assailed. Muskets were presented, and an attack threatened by the English sailors; the effect of which demonstration was, to induce the Esquimaux at once to desist from all further aggressive operations, and resume friendly relations.

Thus, as the boats pursued their way, they were accompanied by the Esquimaux canoes. At length as they began to lose sight of the land entirely, the Esquimaux gradually fell behind them, and returned to their encampment on the shore of the estuary. During this intercourse between the voyagers and the natives, the inquiries of the former were directed to obtaining information in reference to the discovery ships. But the natives uniformly persisted in declaring, that they knew nothing about any white people, or any ships on their coast. They all denied having been present in any interviews which took place between their countrymen and the navigators of those seas in previous years. One person alone, in answer