Sir John Franklin Letter to Lady Jane Franklin (1844)

Athenaeum

31^st December 1844

My dearest love,

I have just left Parry and come here to write to you – he had not heard anything more about the Expedition. We developed several points together and I told him the opinions I had formed from the reading of his Melville Island Voyage and that of Wrangel on which he concurred. He also thought that I had better not go to either Beaufort or Barrow until the paper of the latter has been sent to me, but continue my reading of the voyages which I had told him I was doing. We have agreed to talk over the points together as they suggest themselves to me. I could not get down today to Ross.

[...]

I return your paper which I copied and sent it with the others to Richardson.

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The Times has a short paragraph alluding to the expedition and says it is to be offered to Ross - if he declines the command falls to me. Tomorrow will be the New Year. May it prove to & dear Eleanor, and to all your family circle through the blessing of God, all that you would desire.

Ever yours, Most aff^ly

John Franklin