The Polynesian., 1840-11-07
ocrasioncd bv the death of

q ,SI the L : ship Ninccnncs, before the Officers
"j Men the U. :. Exploring Expedition, August
, ~ $50. By JARED l.. ELLIorr, Chaplain U. ;. n.
IGnoIuIi Oahu: Mission Press PIP. %.
q (Ex,ract.)
Lent. Joseph A. Underwood was born
Iuy j.. 1871. He entered the Navy of
bc United States in 1929, and since that
{ fine had been almost constantly employ
1 Cd in active service. He was one of the
officers earliest attached to the Eypcdi-
tno in which we are embarked and had
/. been nearly four years connected with it
rlc time of his dcccasc. With some
Of YOU he encountered the dangers and
Xarl,hips incident to a passage round the
|. Stormy Cape and off Noir Island, saw
1 and endured with manly composurc the
4 more appalling prospect that 'tIicd mems
a souls For "a year previous to his death,
. with US who survive he shared the risks
the ship. in the boat, and on shore
d peculiar to passage among the reefs and
4 ros that thicIiIy stud this Southern Sea.
With health unbrokcn he sustained the
bightng heat and piercing cold of the
: Drid and the frigid zones, as we passed
4 rapidly from cline to cline. He bore
! mmoycd the arduous tolls, privations and
prIs of our Southern cruise, when amid
the Ice Isles of the Polar Ocean we thread
ed our devious. and often dangerous way.
With us he visited these barbarous Is
/ h.ds, and had been repeatedly engaged
in the arduous and pcrilous duty in which
/ emct his melancholy and untimely fate.
Our lamcntcd friend had been married
but few weeks, when he left his native
and, and had completed his 29th year
only two days previous to his leaving the
snip for the last time. While recognize
the charitable sentiment, Thought of the
dead but good" am happy to assure you
That IN relation to our departed friends it
Will be IN perfect accordance with that
sentiment, to say, Nought of the dead but
truth. With the Roman Orator | can
say come to bury our fallen friends,
mot to praise them.' And if a years
acquaintance and association can give me
any opportunity to Judge, can testify to
his a'n'abIity and worth. His dcport-
"'en' was distinguished by studious re-
Sa'd to propricty and dccorum, and in
Ills conversation and conduct he respect
ea the feelings and sentiments of those
WIN whom he was associated. His man
"cFS and address were those of an accom-
pi>hed gentleman. There was no affected
Instance or reserve or any manifest con-
"'o'Sness of superior understanding. His
Po"'cneSs was not merely external but
''a' Of the heart. In his intercourse with
"eh OF every condition, his conduct was
I''a'ed by bcnevoIencc, and regulated
y ''a' great law of moral equity, "To
w u'''o others as you would wish them
" 10 unto YOU" And in all that in
S'eo"rse his intentions were just, kind,
''"cf'us and noble. In forming his opin-
Y"S ne was independent, in maintain
|S ''lem he was firm. "Decision of
,"'ac,cr was inwrought in the very tex
'"c OF ms mind. He was afraid of no
%""' When he had assumed Il posi-
" "v1 alctatcd by wisdom and prudence nc
u ,J%;",a'ncd it unawed by any opposition
, ""ch might be brought against him. His
"P'rament was ardent, but under the
nI pine of that kindness and principle
"'n 'cd HIM to respect the feelings and