The New York herald., 1845-10-15
Naval Court OF Inquiry.

WAsHINGToN, October IL Isab
At the opening of the Court this morning. William g.
Drayton was called and sworn.
By the JUDGE ADvocArE-I am Lieutenant in the u
Navy; was in the Florida expedition under the com.
mand Of Lieut. Mclaughlin; went out in the Flrt from
Baltimore in December ls40 and came away in January
1912.
BY the CouRr-I sent DR.. Hopkinson from Florida to
Charleston for hospital stores gave him orders to pro-
coed by the maiboat to Charleston to procure what
was required by the hospital department. DR. Hop
knson not furnished by with funds to ma ke these
purchases it in November or December l64l, that
Dr. Hopinson went to Charleston; ordered him, as the
senior officer on the Key, and in command OF the Key
the doctor doctors there had represented to that
many of the medicines and stores that there for the
sick to the demand which urgent,
and would be the expedition then absent
would add considerable to the number of the sck under
these circumstances ordered DR.. Hopkinson to pro-
ceed to Charleston with the greatest despatch poss
BILE to procure the supply when ordered Doctor
M ns hp hppy With ,0I The ,ns
did not apply to the Navy Agent, because the means
could be procured without applying to him and still
had the right to require the funds of the Navy Agents.
impression that the acquisitions made and appr0
we'd in the usual manner the acquisitions not d.
rected any DR. Hopkinson carried them and used
them at his own discretion; don't know that DR.. H
left there before Dr. Hopknson back, the medi-
cines witnessed any waste of the public pro-
Mclaughlin, during the time was in the expedition;
have known we'll persons to hospital stores the time
the mess that belonged to borrowed them and return
ed them afterwards as know from having asked the
doctor such TaliafeTro loaned them;
the stores either wine porter; there was but
small quantity; this during the first year that was
there's don't know that the canoes which were purcha
sed by LtcL purchased unnecessarily at extra
VACANT when the large expeditions absent the
canoes left were required there less than or
sizes of canoes speak OF particularly with regard
its size; it small canoe; suppose it about
- % feet long and its breadth was about feet not
under; | do not know whether Lieut.. Mclaughlin ever
derived any emolumen profit, by exchanging the
moneys Of the government for other money or funds.
do not know whether any of the houses Indian Key
We
Lieut. McLaughlin recommended Mr. Centera
store for the purchase Of articles said the
time that the and officers could be supplied with
better articles there and at lower rates than he himself
had been able to buy them at or had had the pros
been in the habit of purchasing either in New York
Philadelphia don't know where Mr.. Center went to
when he left Florida; don't know that any OF the public
money taken out 10 OF the vessels attached
to the expedition; have received payments myself
which kind, whether Spanish or Patriot doubloons; |
offered silver but preferred to take the doubloons;
my own Mr. Center lived in one Of the houses the
Key, but don't know whether it belonged to the 60
vernment or himself think the latter; the men
sugar, coffee, Sc. by the purser; the size Of
the schooner Badger, used at lnoian Key was,
member distinctly the distance from Indian Key to
Charleston is about 400 SEQ miles from Indian Keyto
Dallas about so miles, from Indian Key to Key West
about S. or 90 miles; from Indian Key ST. Augustine
do not know went with Lieut. Mclaughlin to purchase
the bloodhounds and they were got near Maanzas we
procured what considered the best in the neighbor
hood and what considered fair price Tor them.
collect the price of only two of them, which was
about 500 piece; they delivered at the Key in
our vessel.
The examination of Passed Midshipman Deas. Private
Thomas Callaghan and Corporal Connell Shields, took
place but nothing important was elected from them
o. ST. GEORGE HOLLAND was then called and sworn.
By the JUpcE ADvocATE-l am passed midshipman.
and the Florida expedition under the command OF
Lieutenant Mclaughlin; was in the Phenix Flirt and
revenue cutter Madison attached to the squadron
about twenty months went out in November s40, and
detached Norfolk in June July, ls42 do not
know whether there any waste, Sc, OF the public
property by Lieutenant Mclaughlin, or whether there
any coluson Sc, by him some Of the canoes were
from "a to 80 feet long canoe in 1910 with sim
gle paddle; carried from six to ten persons;
had awnings that stretched fore and aft of
the canoe and carried besides sails mass two breakers
of water camp kettle and clothing for the mariners
Some further questions asked this witness, but az
he had knowledge upon the subjects propounded TO
him. he dismissed and the court adjourned till half
past O'Clock Monday morning. The court will per-
haps continue their examination few days longer but
not farther Lieut. Mclaughlin expresses the anxiety
that il may be drawn to Close the most important Of
the witnesses have been examined.
Lieut. Tansl who has been confined by sickness at his
residence in Prince William county Virginia. some forty
miles below expected yet to be able to make his ap-
pearancs and testify He the author Of the noted PAM
phlet from which this Investigation originated.