Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-09-02
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

The Cruise CT the Independence.
day, We took occasion, incidentally, TO express
the belief that Commodore Mervinc had failed
to fnd tbs guano island or islands in search of
which his ship mas recently been cruising; and,
Theoretically, has contented himself with going
back to Valparaiso under the impression that
the particular islands do not exist, because he
failed to find them. Our reasons for coming
to the conclusion that Commodore II is en-
tirely mistaken in what he took fay enc of the
Islands in search Of which he sailed, are plain
and simple. In the first place, his ship was
not suitable for navigation in the shoal waters
wherein the islands in question were dis
covered by Captain Baker, of New Bedford, in
1929. Next, according to Captain Bakers
report Of them, there was no vegetation what
ever upon them On either of his trips 10 them
in 1929, and ten years later. On his first trip
he buried a seaman on the island containing
the largest deposite, and On both trips brought
home specimens Of their guano, which we have
seen. Though containing less ammonia than
the Chincha islands guano, their specimen rs are
richer in phosphates, and arc equally as val
usble as the Chinch. islands deposits, more
especially for the cotton and sugar lands of
the south
Con mOdOIe Meryine's attempt to throw dig
credit en- the reports of Captain Baker comes
with ill grace, indeed, after his failure to land
upon the only island he saw in what lie took
TO be the latitude and longitude of the islands
he went in fearch of-three in numb laying
within com ass of hundred miles That
looks very nue. like a mere effort to divert
public attention fl ON the incomplete and un-
satisfactory result OF his own ships nominal
voyage Of discovery. NJ. Henry Grinnell, of
New York, than whom tb>H country contains
no merchant ship-owner WITH longer bust
ness head, or one whose ensel nrises more
rarely prove abortive, would noG have in
vested a cool 500, 900 in the enterprise of ss-
curing, for the agriculture of bis county the
monopoly Of these precious deposites, without
being morally sure that he could rely on the
statements and specimens of Captain Baker,
whom he had known we'll all his Hfe We
place vastly more confidence in the statement
of facts made by such a whaling ship master,
vessel navigating the south Pacific, suita-
be for that purpose-much moro than in tie
mere opinion Of Commodore Mel sipe as to
the identity Of an island, its contents, &c
only seen from the deck of a ship unsuitod 10
the business she was sent upon. We take it
for granted that Mr. Grinnell and his ASSOC
ciates in the enterprise will at once take
proper measures to rescue its future from what
appears to have been the mere opinion OF
pragmstic gentleman in high position, who
fails to know the difference between guano
and bird-lime-the latter being preparation
Of holly juice (boiled) and nut oil or grease,
used by bird catchers, young and old, for
trapping wrens and other feeble ones Of the
featheTed tribe.
The Specializing Party The New York
Day Books money article Of Saturday ,heds
food Of light upon the history Of the de-
falcation Of Palmer, Cook & Co in the mat.
ter Of tho payment Of the interest on the ,und.
ed debt OF California and the city of San Fran.
cisco, and incidentally, upon the - Of men
We are to have in the management Of the
fnanceI Of the General Government in case
Fremont, the sleeping partner and 81 900 per
month man Of that extraordinary firm, should
reach the presidency. The expose should be
read by every man who values integrity in
the management Of public CT private trusts
and has dollar TO Lose by the contemplated
robberies Of the gangs Oh both the Ps:i6c ard
Atlantic sides who are fairly installed IS the
politico- financial fingers and thumbs of Fra
montism.
by the arrival Of the Illinois Yesterday
We received the full details of the news ri.
steamer brought in her manifest 81 465 0O0 in
gold dust, besides $500 600 in Government
drafts on the Sub-Treasury, making the totaI
remittance 81 ,765, 900. The advices from Cali.
forpis, give some further developments re-
gsrdiDg the defalcation of Palmer, Cock &
Co, the land specializing copartners of Col.
John G. Fremont. But a deal of mystery
hangs over the whole of their movements in
Guiding those of Fremont Mr.. Wright of
Arlington, q member Of Palmer. Cook h
20 9 house, as we'll as Mr. Cook of this city,
the reputed agent Of the house in this city'
WIN Col John C. Fremont, could, &c so dis
posea' tniow iced OF light On the whole sub
Jee' II Is not denied that Palmer, Cook
10 received IN May last, sec, 900 in cash
due here on the FIRST of JuIv snJ ,ha. ,ss
firm also received at least siI, 600 80 -;.S
which to pay the interest or tbs hoaS. m
6it- ~ SsD Praneisco nd On Ooe ~ Ns VI INC
Iosited with toem by the county. as q en.,a,'
Tee OF their faithful action as fnanc;s, 1890