Morning Herald

Improbable Story,

Every one remembers to have heard of the alleged discovery of the North-West passage, by Messrs Simpson and Dease. The St. Louis New Era contains the following account of the death of Simpson, which we do not believe a word of. They say it was communicated to that paper by Mr. Witkin, a trader from Lake Superior. It appears that Messrs. Simpson & Dease, the discoverers, took different routes from York factory, the principal station of the company at the West-and anxious to reach London before the other. Mr. Simpson, accompanied by Mr. Bird, Mr. Legros, and twenty or thirty of the colonists, struck across for St. Peters, on the Mississippi, intending to push on to New York via the Lakes, and from thence sail for Liverpool. Mr. Dease, his compeer, with another party, set out for the Canadas.

About the 30th of June, 1839, when the party had arrived at Turtle River, Mr. Simpson, who had exhibited signs of mental hallucination, worn out by feverish excitement, and rendered distraught by anxiety, shot his companions, Bird and Legros, under the impression that they were conspiring to destroy him. Bird, died instantly; Legros survived a short time. Many separated from the main body -it appears there were only four men with Simpson, two of whom he had shot. The other two ran from the maniac. One of them was the son of Legros, who earnestly begged Simpson to permit him to return and embrace him before he should die- which he agreed to, and beckoned them back, saying there was nothing to fear. On their return, Simpson accused Legros of conspiring with Bird, and asked him whether it was not their intention to assassinate him that night? The dying man said it was, but on being interrogated a second time, he denied having any intention or design of such a deed. and shortly after he expired. Simpson then ordered the two men to bridle their horses, and prepare to return with him to the settlement, but no sooner were they mounted than they dashed off in quest of the main body, and overtook them about 15 miles ahead. They all returned in the morning, and when they had reached within two hundred yards of the camp, they got a glimpse of Simpson at the door of his tent, and immediately afterwards heard the report of a gun. They fired a volley over his head to intimidate him, supposing he intended to murder more; but approaching the tent discovered he had committed suicide-having literally blown his head to pieces.

The party has arrived at St. Peters, in possession of the important papers, and other property of the ill-fated Simpson. The unfortunate man was a native of Scotland, and a nephew of the present Governor of the H. B. Co. He was about twenty-eight years of age, possessed of fine talents, an amiable disposition, and the universal esteem of those who knew him.