The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-17
The Downing Naval Court Martial.
NINTH DAY,


John s. Quick Purser of the jamestown. WIS
recalled. and resumed his testimony
have been offered liberal SUMS Of money by ST.
Clair for the privilege of furnishing the ship with
provisions, during the seige OF Buenos Ayres he
offered, If would get him the privilege. 70 furnish
the ship free of charge, and also give me money;
his proposition was not entertained by rue for a
moment think informed Capt. Downing OF the
offer made TO me; If he est. Clair) obtained per
mission to take provisions into the town. h. could
sell them ut a very high price, AZ they were held 1T
enormous rates at that time he charge for the
beef furnished by him was six cents and fraction
per pound, which was thought fair price for beef
delivered alongside but this was not the price
either outside or inside ] cannot say that | saw
bis boat. except when coming With provisions to the
ship, when it was under the American Gag;
do not know that it went anywhere else.
although | heard 80; Coo visited the ship
previous to the squadron going over, once
TO my knowledge this visit WAS made to the cap
tain but be came into the ward-room while there,
to pay his respects to the 1ardro officers
know not that Garfield ever came on board the
jamestown; heard. common report, that Hale
was the agent Of the city government OF Baenos
Ayres, aud wac the man who pait over the money
fol- the squadron; do not know that he brought
any money board the ship; Cap Dowoins Told
me HAT the money beard belonged TO iadivi
duas in Buenos Ayres, aud was sent there for safe
keeping; while ] WIS at Buenos Ay7es, was fear
ftl that difficulties might arise, in the compcated
state Of afhirs and talked about public matters
little possible; aid not refrain from observation
puipoesly.
Oppoi tunity was here given to tie accused
to ask further questions of the witness, and
,.liaax in pk.tun IN not
recollect what the accused said when info rmed
him of St Glars offer; it vas about. or immed
ately after the time that ST. Clair WAS engaged;
| told 81. Ola TO furnish the ship with beef, de-,
by orders from Captain Downing; when Coe
visited the snip he was in uniform, AM was ~
lpfsd; Hale was m American, and merchant.
The witness here concluded his testimony but
was ordered to keep himself in commune stion with
the Judge Advocate in case he Was further wanted.
Hon. Robert c. Schenck, late u. !. Minister ut
Brazil, next called witaess, and deposed as
foows:--From 1851 10 1854, WAS Minister ana Eo-
voy 70 the Court of Baz,; and also during part Of
the time, under instructions from the President Of
the United States proceeded to neg tate and con.
clude treaties with the Oriental Republic OF IRA
quay and the Argentine Confederation and the Re-
pubic of Paraguay. In the special mission - the
last named COVE, nnents, was associated with Mr..
Pendleton, then Charge d. Atfares to the Argentine
COME Iteration. In May, 1858, proceeded. For the
on my arrival, beseiged by land, and blockaded on
the river side. The squadron Of the Argentine
Confederation. unaer command of Commodore
Coe, was lying in the river maintain'ng toe
blockade. The squadron Of Buenos Ay.es was also
lying before the city, but closer in shore. During
the close of the month Of June, report was cur.
rent in Buenos Ayres that Com. Coz intended to be-
tray and surrender his feet to the inside pary or,
in other words to pass over with his vessels, and
join the Buenos Ayrean squadron. It was under
stood and stated that for this detection be was to
receive some large sum OF money from the Inside
government. Many rumors and reports were in cir.
bp
on between him and the authorities OF BuenOs Ayres
or their agents. Two three days before he &C.
tually passed over, It was no generally under
stood in the city that bets were offered az 10 the
very day and hour when the vessels might be seen
comii 8 In. / remember hearing wager offered by
member OF the inside party, on the evening Of the
10th or 10th of June, that Coe would come over the
next morning. On the morning after, it was under
stood that one Of the vessels Of Goes squadron had
come in and anchortd during the nigat early Ia the
morning. II 70 happened on that morning Mr..
Pendlet0n, Lieut.. Page and myself, had engaged to
60 upon an excl rsion, in one Of the boats OF the
Water Witch, short distance up tie river. When
we reached the wharf or shore. where boat was
waiting to take US first to the Water Witch, we dis
covtrtd that Of Goes vessels had come over and
anchored inside. We proceeded from the Water
Witch up the river and did not return till late in
the afternoon or evening. As we approached the
Water Witch, and when came in sight ri the city
and Of the vessels in the harbor, sou Of Captain
Page attracted our atten ton tn the fact that
another Of Coe Vessels, steamer had her steam
up, and was coming into the inner roads. We had
oil been on the lookout we approached, ia see
whether We could discover any change Vt move
ment of Goes squadron since morning, We
went on board the Water Witch, and few
minutes afterwa ds, while below, taking some
refreshments, some one-T tnink Lieutenant
Donaldson, Hrst officer of the Water Witch
came down, and called rs to c9me and zee that the
rest OF Goes squadron was going to the inside
| went upon deck. and saw SINE of the vessels
moving in; among the rest one OF the stesmers-the
Eutaw thmk-pssstd very near the Water Witch;
these vessels were received with cheers by the
crews Of the inside squadron. Among the vessels
Il at went over that night the flag ship of Com
modore Coe; know nothing, Of my owr personal
knowledge. of the passing OF Coe from his ship to
the jamestown; the next morning II was under.
stood on shore that Coe was on bard the James
Indignation On tire part Of the official representa-
tives of the United States, ard of many other
Americans in the city. 1t Was felt that the honor
of our flag might be considered rs implicated dis
gracefully by the tran saction, Ia consultation be.
tween Mr.. Pendleton and myself, aud perhaps
also Mr.. Graham, the Consul It was con-
cluded to be proper that some communication
on the subject should be made TO Capt. Downing
IL was thought to be Mr. Pendi-tons peculiar duty
TO write to Captain Downing; he lid d, no. and also
requested me to write to him, which promised TO
do; but in the mean time, Captain Downing having
written to Mr.. PeDdleton, would perhaps not have
written but for letter received from Capt. Down
ing by myself within two or three days; have
here the original letter. The letter was here read
II stated that the jamestown required cauking and
repairs, and he had determined 10 leave for Rio de
Janeiro.l Before receiving this letter, had heard
that it the intention Of Captain D. to leave with
the Jamestown, and carry Coe, IA passenger, to
Rio; the reason assigned by him, as heard for the
movement, was that the vessel needed caulkiag;
this intended departure heard Of frst in the Con-
sul's Office; come Of the officers OF the ship were
there, on their days leave, when another officer
came in and said they would all be required
10 20 on board a. it had been suddenly determined
to 60 TO Rio. Supposing that the object was take
Gee, would have written to Capt. Downing on the
subject but for the fact that his letter to Mr. Pen
stated that he had Only received Coe rs fugitive
from danger aDd mutiny; and assured Mr.. Pendleton
that Coe had ~ the jamestown, and would have
no further connection with that ship. When, how
self sent the following repy:--[witness here read
the letter in which he expressed his regret that the