Weekly North Carolina Standard

The Northern papers contain statements to the effect that the remains of Sir John Franklin, the great English navigator, his crew and their ships had been discovered. The Montreal Herald says:

"In our extra of yesterday evening we informed the public that a rumor was current in town that the remains of Sir John Franklin and his crew and their ships had been discovered.

We immediately despatched a special messenger to the Hudson Bay Company's house at Lachine, and through the kindness of the Governor, Sir Geo. Simpson, are enabled to lay before our readers the following outline of a despatch received by him yesterday from Dr. Rae.

Dr. Rae has been absent on the coast since the first of the month of June, 1853, and returned to York Factory on the 28th of August last, whence he forwarded letters by express, to Sir Geo. Simpson, via the Red River settlement.

After briefly noticing the result of his own expedition, and the difficulties with which they had to contend, he proceeds to state that from the Esquimaux he had obtained certain information of the fate of Sir John Franklin's expedition, who had been starved to death after the loss of their ships, which were crushed in the ice, and while making their way south to the Great Fish river of Back, near the outlet of which a party of whites died, leaving accounts of their sufferings in the mutilated corpses of some, which had evidently furnished food to their unfortunate companions.

This information, although not derived from the Esquimaux who had communicated with the whites, and who found their remains but from another band who obtained the details viva voce, may yet be relied on. No doubt is left of the truth of the report, as the natives had in their possession various articles of European manufacture which had been in possession of the whites.

Among these are several silver spoons, forks, &c., on one of which is engraved: "Sir John Franklin, K. C. B.," while the others have crests and initials on them which identify the owner as having belonged to the ill-fated expedition. Drawings of some of these have been sent down. The fearful tragedy must have occurred as long ago as the Spring of 1850."

Further details of the discovery have reached Montreal. It is said that the Indians were met by a party of survivors dragging their boats, and sold them seals. Long before the bodies were discovered, they were told by signs, that the vessels were crushed in the ice. The bodies of some were buried—others found under a tent. A boat was turned over that belonged to Sir John Franklin's party, and is deemed fully confirmatory.

Dr. Rae purchased from the Indians a large number of articles that were taken from the bodies.