THE AMERICAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION. THE FIRST GRINNELL EXPEDITION IN THE ADVANCE AND RESCUE, SENT OUT BY HENRY GRINNELL, ESQ., UNDER COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT DE HAVEN, IN THE YEARS 1850 AND 1851. THE safe return of the expedition sent out by Mr Henry Grinnell, an opulent merchant of New York city in search of Sir John Franklin and his companions, is an event of much interest; and the voyage, though not resulting in the discovery of the long-absent mariners, presents many considerations satisfactory to the parties immediately concerned, and the American public in general. Mr. Grinnell's expedition consisted of only two small brigs, the Advance of 140 tons; the Rescue of only 90 tons. The former had been engaged in the Havana trade; the latter was a new vessel built for the merchant service. Both were strengthened for the arctic voyage at a heavy cost. They were then placed under the directions of our Navy Board, and subject to naval regulations, as if in permanent service. The command was given to Lieut. E. De Haven, a young naval officer who accompanied the United States exploring expedi tion. The result has proved that a better choice could not have been made. His officers consisted of Mr. Murdoch, sailing-master; Dr. E. K. Kane, surgeon and naturalist; and Mr. Lovell, midshipman. The Advance had a crew of twelve men when she sailed; two of them complaining of sickness, and expressing a desire to return home, were left at the Danish settlement at Disco Island, on the coast of Greenland. The Expedition left New York on the 23d of May 1850, and was absent a little more than sixteen months They passed the eastern extremity of Newfoundland ten days after leaving Sandy Hook, and then sailed east-northeast, directly for Cape Comfort, on the coast of Greenland. The weather was generally fine, and only a single accident occurred on the voyage to that country of frost and snow. Off the coast of Labrador they met an iceberg making its way toward the tropics. The night was very dark, and as the huge voyager had ao "light out," the Advance could not be censured for running foul. She was punished, however, by the loss of her jib-boom, as she ran against the iceberg at the rate of seven or eight knots an hour. The voyagers did not land at Cape Comfort, but turning northward, sailed along the southwest coast of Greenland, sometimes in the midst of broad acres of broken ice, (particularly in Davis' Straits,) as far as Whale Island. On the way the anniversary of our national independence occurred; it was observed by the seamen by "splicing the main-brace"-in other words, they were allowed an extra glass of grog on that day. From Whale Island, a boat, with two officers and four seamen, was sent to Disco Island, a distance of about 26 miles, to a Danish settlement there, to procure skin clothing and other articles necessary for use during the rigors of a polar winter. The officers were entertained at the government house; the seamen were com fortably lodged with the Esquimaux, sleeping in fur bags at night. They returned to the ship the following day, and the expedition proceeded on its voyage. When passing the little Danish settlement of Upernavick, they were boarded by natives for the first time. They were out in government whale-boats, hunting for ducks and seals. These hardy children of the Arctic Circle were not shy, for through the Danes, the English whalers,and government expeditions, they had become acquainted with men of other latitudes. When the expedition reached Melville Bay, which, on account of its fearful character, is also called the Devil's Nip, the voyagers began to witness more of the grandeur and perils of arctic scenes. Icebergs of |