| Description | Relating to the timing of the expedition of Captain Austin, which was decided on too late; if anyone can get the ships about away before 1 May, it is Captain Austin; Richardson expects to hear from Rae in March or April; he has no knowledge of Sir John Ross's proposal, but thinks £3000 is a very small sum to be effective; he is sorry to find from Lady Franklin yesterday that she had not seen his report, secured by him from the Admiralty, and he hopes to send his own copy as soon as it is in his hands. PS: Sir John Richardson thinks it doubtful that the instructions to Commander Pullen to equip another expedition will reach him in time. |
| Transcript or Index | Haslar, Gosport, 20th July 1850
My dear Mrs Gell
The only reply I can well make as to your apprehension concerning the time of Captain Austen’s being ready, is this – that, as I was so fortunate as to prevail on him, as the best man in England, to undertake this service, so I do not believe there is another could or would complete the equipment with so much speed, energy and efficiency as himself. As he undertook the thing by very special and personal desire, of course we have had a great deal of communication on the subject, and I feel satisfied, not only that he is aware of the necessity of speed, but that nothing will be left undone by him to promote it. The fault was, and always has been, that we are six or eight weeks too late in deciding – and then, of course, everything has to be done in a hurry. But I repeat that, if anybody can get the ships away before the 1st May (which I greatly doubt) Austen will do it.
Sir John Richardson expects the tidings of Rae in the course of March but it may be April. You will see, in today’s “Times” a capital despatch of Sir Geo. Simpson addressed to Rae, and to another of the H.M.Gov’s servants.
With respect to Sir John Ross’s proposal, I really cannot offer an opinion, for I have never seen one word of what his scheme is. I should think, however, that £3000 is a very small sum for doing anything really effective; but I heartily rejoice at any zeal and any effort appplied in this cause; and I hope he may get the money and make the attempt.
I was sorry to find from Lady Franklin, only yesterday, that she had never seen my report, which I thought I had secured her doing from the Admiralty. I conclude you have not seen it either. I hope to send it to her and to you as soon as my only copy comes back into my hands.
With our united kind regards to Mr Gell, believe me, my dear Mrs Gell, Most sincerely yours, W Parry.
Sir John Richardson thinks it doubtful whether the instructions sent to Commander Pullen to equip another Expedition to go Northwards from the Mackenzie will reach him in time – i.e.whether he may not have advanced too far on his homeward journey; but this we must wait to see.
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