the discovery of Sir John Franklin and his companions.* thus proved abortive, but the party discovered an open sea encircling the North Pole, thus adding a curious and surprising fact to our somewhat limited knowledge in respect to this gloomy and inhospitable portion 7 What of this second American expedition for the discovery of Sir John Franklin f What discovery was made by Captain McClure? *For nearly three hundred years, it has been a great object to determine whether there Is what is called a North-west Passage to the Pacific, that is, a passage for vessels through the Arctic seas from Baffin Bay to Behring Strait. Within the last thirty years. Great Britain has dispatched numerous ships to settle this question, and from this source we have the important discoveries of Parry, Ross, and others. In May, 1845, Sir Joh Franklin, who had distinguished himself in explorations among the Arctic seas, with twe ships, the Erebus and Terror, and one hundred and thirty-eight men, departed for a voy. age of discovery in those regions. They proceeded up Baffin Bay, but for several years nothing was heard of them. The whole civilized world seemed interested in the fate of these adventurers. As the expeditions sent out from Great Britain had proved unsuc Dessful, Mr Henry Grinnell, of New York, equipped two vessels. the Advance and Rescue, at his own expense. They departed from New York in May, 1850. These having turned, October, 1851, without success, another expedition was dispatched by Mr. Grie Bell, aided by the government, consisting of the brig Advance, under the command of Dr E. K. Kane, of Philadelphia, the surgeon and naturalist of the first expedition. After bis return, Dr Kane, published an interesting account of his adventures. Unhappily hi constitution had been undermined by the hardships he had encountered, and he died in Cuba, February 16th, 1857. His death caused a general mourning throughout the United States. The actual fate of Sir John Franklin and his men has recently been ascertained, as we have stated in our account of the Polar Regions. (See p 481.) of the globe. It may be added that, previous to this time-October, 1853-Captain McClure, of the British ship Investigator, had proved that a continuous sea extends from Baffin Bay to Behring Strait. It is, however, of no practical use, as it is at all times encumbered with ice. 8. Several expeditions had been dispatched from England, in search of Sir John Franklin. In one of them, the ship Resolute was abandoned in the Arctic seas. On the 23d December, 1855, she was found fating in the Atlantic, and brought safely into the harbor of New London by Captain Buddington. She was afterward purchased by our government, refitted, and sent, December, 1856, as a present to the British government, under command of Lieutenant Hartstene. The present was very graciously accepted, and the lieutenant and his men received the most hearty and gratifying welcome. 8. What of the ship Resolute? Wast of Lieutenant Hartstene? BUCHANAN'S ADMINISTRATION, BEGINNING MARCH 4TH, 1857. -The Troubles in Kansas.-The Lecompton Constitu tion in Congress.-Its Rejection by the People of Kansas, and a New Constitution adopted. 1. In the election for a successor to President Pierce, James Buchanan,* of Pennsylvania, the Democratic candidate, was chosen, and July inaugurated March 4th, 1857. John C. Breckenridge, of Kencky, was elected vice-president. CHAP. CCXVI.-1. Who were inaugurated president and vice-president March 4th, 1357 ? * In this election of November, 1556, there were three parties in the field. The first was that of the Democrats, whose convention had met at Cincinnati, and adopted a platform regarded as embracing the established creed of the party. The second was the Republican party, whose main principle was opposition to the extension of slavery in the Territories. Their candidate was John C. Fremont, a native of Georgia, and con spicuous for his explorations and discoveries, and his public services in California during of the globe. It may be added that, previous to this time-October, 1853-Captain McClure, of the British ship Investigator, had proved that a continuous sea extends from Baffin Bay to Behring Strait. It is, however, of no practical use, as it is at all times encumbered with ice. 8. Several expeditions had been dispatched from England, in search of Sir John Franklin. In one of them, the ship Resolute was abandoned in the Arctic seas. On the 23d December, 1855, she was found fating in the Atlantic, and brought safely into the harbor of New London by Captain Buddington. She was afterward purchased by our government, refitted, and sent, December, 1856, as a present to the British government, under command of Lieutenant Hartstene. The present was very graciously accepted, and the lieutenant and his men received the most hearty and gratifying welcome. & What of the ship Resolute? Wast of Lieutenant Hartstene ? BUCHANAN'S ADMINISTRATION, BEGINNING MARCH 4TH, 1857. -The Troubles in Kansas.-The Lecompton Constitu tion in Congress.-Its Rejection by the People of Kansas, and a New Constitution adopted. 1. In the election for a successor to President Pierce, James Buchanan,* of Pennsylvania, the Democratic candidate, was chosen, and July inaugurated March 4th, 1857. John C. Breckenridge, of Kencky, was elected vice-president. CHAP. CCXVI.-1. Who were inaugurated president and vice-president March 4th, 1967? * In this election of November, 1856, there were three parties in the field. The first was that of the Democrats, whose convention had met at Cincinnati, and adopted a platform regarded as embracing the established creed of the party. The second was the Republican party, whose main principle was opposition to the extension of slavery in the Territories. Their candidate was John C. Fremont, a native of Georgia, and con spicuous for his explorations and discoveries, and his public services in California during |