The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-07-29
NEW YORK. FRIDAY MORNING, JULY 49, ls42
Naval General Court Martial board OF
the U. y. ship North Carolina.

Naval General Court Martial on board OF
the U. y. ship North Carolina.
THURSDAY, July as.
The Court met pursuant to adjournment proceed with
the trial of Passed Midshipman William May and yester-
days proceedings wereread.
All witnesses concerned in tho trial Of Mr. May were
then directed to retire from the cabin.
mr.. Drayton the draughtsman was recalled and ques
toned BY accuseds counsel
Q-fou have stated In your testimony that You never
received any other instructions purchase shells than
other omsers VIII you state whether at the time Mr.
Couhouy the naturalstle the ship the sick list you
received any written or other instructions from Captain
Wilkes stating 1t would be particularly your duty
to attend 70 the collections of shells &C. and constituting
you special agent for that purposel
A-Inever received any written instructions TO act as
special agent received some verbal instructions
same time understanding from the commander that he had
given the same to others As well ecolect these
instructions were that was Geological
and had drawn large number OF shells and the Concho
logist was absent was expected of to do much
possibly could III the collection of shells in all possible
ways" would state felt my duty to do SO being
member of the Scientific Corps
Lieutenant Wilkes recalled and questioned by the
Court
Q-Under what circumstances officers and other
persons the squadron allie ed shells
ON their own account,
A.-Nonesir, The instructions the ulcers were that
all private or selfish views in the collection shells
should be laid aside and all their exerons be TO
the objects Of the expedition and effect the purposes Of
the government If any specimens remained after the Sc
had been made by the agents they were TO be for
wnred to the Department and subject to their disposal
Q-By accused's counsel Did the accused refuse or
decline to give the box of shells alluded to- ever re-
fuse to give up shells in obedience your oders7
Captain Hudson, who collected the shells can an
swer that.
JuDor ApvocArE-So far as you know
WIrsEss-Not to my knowledge. do not remember
that was ever reported to ordered that no pri
rate collection whaterer Of single shell any other
tcir EhGtersr should be made and did
in any instance for private
O. bid the accused his intervle lew with you when
ash cd whether he meant any dresPect by marking the
box reply that he Gid notthat he only intended i as
security as he intended prefer 10 the department
for it,
A--so Sir.
wrsE.,I have the letter called for by the Court yes.
iIandei t. the Court
Q-Whet was the character and department of Lieut.
Walker as an officer. while under your command,
his question preferred by member of the Court was
Oh csd 20 by Others and by the accused counsel who
sa. that u was permitted the Court must allow Lieut..
denceia yeo' of, which would raise collateral issue
that might ir 'n."mlpahle. After some discussion the
q'rsson V lt'lia'vu.
The following letter ron, MIR. May 10 licnl Wilkes
wssthsn read by the Judge Advocate -
[. ). $. VIscENSEs Ar ,g.l
May ~, 1916?
sr--
Upon mature reirc ion upon the unpleasant incident
which occurred In the cabin yesterday, consider IL my
dh 20 repeat in deliberate and formal manner, the
srsnce gave you then viz that in marking the box Of
shells as did, only Intended to establish personal
claim them that really believed you had refused
purchs them account OF their exorbitant price aud
that did not doubt but under the circumstances the 90
vernmsas would feel bound 10 renquish all claim to
them.
Further declare upon my honor, that studiously
avoided and indeed did not feel the dsrespect of which
you accused me, and am sure could have convinced
you SO on the spot If on h0d been less excited
wM. MAY, Acting Master
TO CHAELEs WILKES, Esq, Com Ex. En-.
Lieut. wilkes this which we gave YESTERDAY
was real again, and the following reply from Mr. May,
was alss read -
L. s. siur VtscrSNrs,l
May 70, 1912. !
sr-l respectfully request that the enclosed commun.
cusion may be forwarded the Hon. Secretary of the
Navy along " it'll TIE charges against me.
embrace this opportunity to a misapprehen
took ior an apoiogy am quite satisfied with NV con-
duct during last interview, and have apologies to
make for IT, only addressed YOU letter Tor the pur
pose OF recording material part of as
prosecution which experience had laugh. me it
Very respectfully, yours,
Acting Master.
To CHAsLrs Wmxrs, Esq, Comdg., &c. sc.
Purssr WALpsoN was then called and being sworn
was questioned by the accused's counsel, follows
Odd you not as agent Of the Exploring Expedition
go shore at Ouveou with M. Drayton to purchase
shells belonging the vessel called the Currency Lass
and did you not refuse to purchase them with Mr. Dra
ton, on account of their exorbitant pricei
Al did. had an appointment from the Secretary OF
the Navy special agent for discussing articles oil trade
avaed self Of every opportunity OF purchasing shells
but met any thing rare that could not purchase
esP, with money should have had to apply to Captain
w
ty, and was glad to have do it,
Q.-was it net notorious fact in the squadron that the
shells he'd been refused account of their cxorbont
price, and did you not mention tito Captain Wlkesl
Al know mentioned the fact on board the Vincenncs
say whs had
ally to Capt. Wilkes. may have done SO but canntt
caliit mind.
Lieut. Knox CT lied. and being sworn, wos ques.
toned - follows by the accused's counsel.
Q.-wsre you present when the accused came out of
Captain wilkes cabin after the interview the Odd MAY
1897 II yea what did the accused soy relative the In
tery lew, and what was his tone and manner 7
Objected to by Commodore JOINS, but allowed.
Al was present-Hc into the ward room where
after dinner. There some conversation CO.
ing on.
eeedins Courts Martial read the charges to
the Witnesses and ask them what they knew relation
to them.
Tho DOE ADVOCATE and the accuseis counsel sugges
tod thai this would be making the witness the
prosecution although he was called for the defence. The
Commodore said nevertheless II the usual way and
must tS 20 DONE
Il was done accordingly and the following questions
o-Do you know any thing in relation to this charge,
or the specifications
A-iknow nothing about the charge. With respect to
the specification know than the box marked but il
not exposed on deck to my knowledge.
The question above was then again put and the follow
was present on that occ ason and the accuseds man.
very calm and collected; more than
him under such circumstances lie said he had been
by Captain Wilkes in relation TO the box being mark
ed and on his entering the cabin Captain Wilkes asked
him why ne ha1 mad the Dox IN tnat mannerf
replied to him, To state fact" something to that
purport. don't exactly recollcct what. Mr.. Wilkes
said he considered dsrespectfu and If he did intend
d,rcspectflt to his commanding officer, he
IT. and the time told him that he had refus
oil 10 purchase shells something TO that effect He
kctfyc stated that Mr. Wllkess very hmr.
rie add he appeared to be in passion and that while
derins him from the cabin. he did not give him oppor
unIty 10 refuse to signify his willingness to take the
marks OF the box believe that tho substance of the
conv rTsson which took place
Another question handed by the accuseds counsel
the Judge Advocate when Commodore Jones objected
TO this evidence being received at ALL and the court
cleared for debsrotion.
On IL rsopenng, the question was read, which
follows:--
Odd Mr.. May not say that he intended dsrespect
to Lieut. wilkes and he should not have objected
the marks had he been ask ed TO do so
The Jupor ADVOCATE objected 10 il leading ques.
ton snd the counsel stated that he knew II So and