Beschreibung:

FRANKLIN, Sir John. Autograph letter signed ("John Franklin") to fellow arctic explorer WILLIAM EDWARD PARRY, Horncastle, 19 October [1823]. 1½ pages, 4to, integral address panel laid down on card, with several losses not affecting text, several brown spots and discoloration at the sheet edges . "I HAVE EVER MY GOOD FRIEND FELT THE DEEPEST INTEREST IN THE SUCCESS OF YOUR PROCEEDINGS" Franklin congratulates Parry on his safe return after passing through Hudson's Strait and Repulse Bay. Parry had sailed on his second arctic expedition from 1821-23. Though largely unsuccessful, the voyage did make many explorations and discoveries by sea and land, including the discovery and naming of the Fury and Hecla Strait. By his return in 1823, Parry had been appointed acting hydrogapher of the Admiralty. During these same years, and beginning earlier in 1819, Franklin was making his important overland journey to the Coppermine River. By the writing of this letter in 1823, the two explorers were back in England, preparing for the next voyages. Franklin writes: "I cannot defer or pass in offering you my most sincere congratulations on your safe return, with my best hope that you are again come to meet the fullest approbation and to receive the reward of the Admiralty as well as of the public in general." Franklin's good wishes are not totally innocent, and the competitive impulse of the great explorer could not help but want a preview of Parry's future public revelations: "... I shall look with great eagerness for some official account as to your course and the longitude to which you reached. Knowing how constantly you must be engaged at this time I dare not venture at requesting any particulars from you, but I can assure you that the slightest communication from you will afford me the highest possible gratification." Franklin's second overland expedition would take place from 1825-27 and Parry's third arctic voyage was of 1824-25.