The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-06-20
The sonntag Narrative Controversy.

short time since published card from Professor
Sonnag TO the second Grinnen expedition in
search Of Sir Jehn Franklin denying the authenticity Of
narrative of the expedition published under his in
Philadelphia The subjoned correspondence, which is
Intended a reply to Mr. Sonnags disclaimer, will be
garded by most persons strong confederation of It,
The facts gather them, seem TO be these. During
her husbands absence in Mexico, Mrs. Sonntag probably
under influence of temporary necessity was pre-
vailed upon sell to Mr. Rhodes the Philadelphia publisher.
short narrative the shape of gazine article, the
expedition under the command OF Dr. Kane This was
placed the hands of Mr. Rhodes literary aid who soon
converted the Professors modest bantlng into preen
ous volume. altering and amplfying ii TO such degree
that II is not surprising the latter should Low feel
himself compelled to discam all acquaintance with it,
JAMES GORDON BENNEr rso--
DEAR SIRn your paper of last Sunday you give place
TO communication from some person who signs himself
Fair Play, in which Is denied that the work which Is
published as Sonntags Narrative of the Grnnel Expedi
on under the command of DR.. X. Kane, is genuine,
and is also asserted that he wrote word about
the expedition in English am the sole owner and pub
Usher Of that work and the statement calculated to
me injustice if not corrected, you will obige me by
giving place in your paper to the following proof Of its
ntG'y, ana OF my right to It, Yours truly
FRANKLIN SQUARE NEW YosK, May Is, 1857.
CHAs G. RHoOEs ESQ.,, Philadelphia
DEAR SIR-ln answer to your note OF May 16, reply
that early in November 1855, received note from
Mr. August Sonn,ag astronomer to the Kane Expedition
Some weeks afterwards the manuscript of such narrative
was forwarded TO u.s. Upon examination found it
not precisely adapted to our purpose We accordingly,
the l7th Of December, 1865, returned the manuscript
directed to Mr. Sonnag a NO. 10 North Eleventh street,
of Eleventh and Cherry, Philadelphia and presume
that II reached him. We have doubt although person
ally unacquained with Mr. Sonntag that the manuscript
came as 1t purported to do, from him. We did not pub
sh it, and is not now in our possession, having been
above stated, returned TO the direction furnished to
Very respectfully, your obedient servants,
EDITORS OF HARPER'S MAG AZINE.
AFFIDAVIT OF MRS. ROSA soNNrAG.
Rosa SoDntag being duly sworn, doth depose and say,
that Mr. Charles Rhodes bought the narrative written
by her husband giving an account of his voyage to the
Arctic regions under the command of DIR. E < Kane
and that she believes he bought for the purpose of
publishing it ROSA S0NNrAG.
Sworn and subscribed before me this i4th day of
Alderman Of the Thirteenth Ward.
PHILADELPHIA, April Is, 1857.
CHAs. RHODES, Esq -
DEAR SR-In answer to your inquiries respecting the
SOnntag narrative have say that months since
Of your firm placed in my hands papers VIII ch
pur orted to be manuscript journal of August sonnag
astronomer to the second Grinnell expedition. The gen
tleman who handed me the papers stated that you had
purchased them from the wife Of Mr. Sonnag for the pur
pose OF publication, but that close inspection you had
found that they required some revision and corrections
made them dit for the press. examined the manuscripts
and found that they contained great deal of valuable in
formation respecting the Arctic regions the and
customs OF the Esqumaux; but the language of the jour
nal was almost unnteligble The work appeared to be
the production OF man Of science, but who had
scarcely any acquaintance vita the English tongue.
From the chrography and other indications should have
judged tha the writer of the Journal German, II
tad not had any other information the subject
doubeu that it was the veritabe journal Of Mr. Sonna
At the request of your partner translated this journal
into toerable "Engsh" apd endeavored to make it
credable as possible TO the original author II Me- Sonn
tag thinks himself aegrieved by the changes made in
the phraseoogy his grammar rhetoric, &C. &c, should
feel much obliged If you would publish extracts
from bis own MISREPRESENTATION ct srdtim-thk the
public may judge whether have damaged his compost
ton improved it, The work which passed through my
hands is the same which you have published Sonntags
narrative. Very truly yours, l.. A. WILMER