The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-16
70 THE EDITOR OF Tue HERALD.

STATEN ISLAND, Jan. 9, 1880
My attention yesterday called to letter published
in your journal Of the Cd instant dated board of the
United States sloop Brooklyn, and signed D. G. Farragu
Captain United States Navy"
That letter purports exculpadon of himself and
two other officers OF that vessel against charges
braced in resolution of which the Coroner's
jury in the of alleged murder board said ship
fit pass and would appear to be full denial of
the charges made in that resolution but upon careful
rea5ing find the captain makes allusion to tn
charges made He emphatically denies that any pedg
made by himself executive officers 10 send wit
nesses on shore In that case.
There such charge made against them. The
charges simply these:-That the captain OF tue
Quilted States Brooklyn, In refusing u send wit
Desses on shore IN the case Of an alleged marder on
board his ship, AMI the executive officer officer OF the
deck al bali three O'Clock, the morning OF the Sh
Of November, 1859 in FORGETTING his word OF nonor
gentleman aud American officer, AMI the officer VINO
shore the captains gig the morning Of the
day DONG the same taug, eottled not only
to the censure but the condemnation Of all American
citizens
The jury in that engaged on board the ship
from early in evening Of the 7t until three O'Clock
the morning Of the Stb and finding that they could not
;iudo the Investigation that nlgnt adjourned 70 meet
shore eight O'Clock game morning. Before
adjourniDg IL suggested that already sufficient
testimony had been taken TO hold for examination one
Charles Copper ships corporal, ami that he be ar
rested and taken on shore. Having no lookup nearer
than mi es concluded to leave him board
the Ship provided he could be kept subject TO the Is
OF the Coroner. petty officer in waiting sent
for the captain aud returned with the that the
captain bed but that the executive officer
deck and would appear before If required. When the
executive officer appeared before US, and the crcum
having been stated TO him. to the Coroner aod the
entire jury he pledged his word gentleman and
officer that said Cooper should not be allie wed " leave
the ship but should be retained subject the requson
Of the Coroner Before leaving tn ship, stated 70 the
captain, whom found on deck, the arrangements
which had been made with his executive officer with
reference the detention Of Cooper He male pledge
himself but ~ he made no objection, the inference
that he acquicsced.
Before reassemblng In the morning, Cooper, whom
Of knew, sent ashore in the captains gig,
dressed civilian, and allowed TO depart unattended
for the city OF New York.
Two Of the OF the gig informed the deputy Health
Officer that he was the man Cooper who had killed Ritter
The doctor Immediately ordered his arrest which
done be about leaving Of boats for the
city. An attempt made 10 detain The two who
gave the Information, witnesses The officer 10 charge
the gig that that the captain gig that thsre
but attached TO IL that the captain steward
outside getting fresh provisions for the captains
breakfast and that II would allow him 10 70 OF with
the steward he pledged his word that the boat with the
crew, should mmei ately return and he thought
return but 10 surprise, Immediately the arrival OF
the gig at the ship, and before the officer had returned
with the Coroners subpoena for witnesses the boat
boosted up and the ship her way These the
facts sworn 10, copy Of which testimony has been for
warded 10 the Navy Department at Washington.
Cooper handed 10 the United States Marshal,
and held by Commodore Breese board the North
Carolina subject to the requeon OF the civil authorities
By giving this the same publicity as was given " the
letter OF Captain Farragut you will much obge many oil
Jour friends Staten Island well your obedient
servant, RAY TOMPKINS, Foreman Of the Jury.