The New York herald., 1871-09-19
THE STEAMSHIP CITY OF HOUSTON AND
HER GSsSSlsNDER,
Defence Of Captain Partridge.


To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:
l have just returned from Fernandina, where
have been suffering from severe ft OF sickness,
brought on by exposure and hardship in the severe
hurricane OF the 10th, 1Tth and 18th OF August on
board the steamship City Of Houston. learn that
q scandalous report has been circulated in oil the
public papers; but my friends have not allowed me
to see II, and 1t is only since my return to New
York that have been able to learn Its purport All
/ have to say in regard to 1t Is, that those who
know me Will not for one moment credit 1t, and
those who do not know mo 1t makes but little
difference whether they believe It or not.
However the whole thing Is the most base
falsehood ever perpetrated by human being.
AS regards my giving up command or the ship, l
can prove that did no such thing until gave It
into the hands OF Captain Splcer IN Fernandina
Harbor. Then what have done9 Simply brought
a ship and cargo worth ,O00 900 through the most
hurricane ever known on this coast, and took
her safely into port with damage that will not
exceed five per cent, II it reaches that amount,
while three other nrst class steamers were totally
say that / was under tho influence OF liquor
c nu "a %aSSqs sTaSs1on M Tor 1hs epT
claiming salvage on the ship, and can prove
that the first steps were taken to libel the ship at
have been an onicer In the navy Tor a term OF four
years. and always supposed II my duty to assist
thing was done TO save their own lives as much 10
save any property. II seems to me that any sensible
man to read that report would at pronounce 1t
q base fabrication from beginning to end which
assert II Is, and am ready to back my assertion.
AS regards my being In liquor, ] defy them to prove
IL, and they might be prosecuted for defamation OF
character ana, III fact should he. can furnish
certificate from reliable physician that at the
time the ship reached Fcrnandina was sick and
not INTOXICATED as reported-too sick u be about,
In fact; still, never left my business until | de.
livcred 1t into the hands CT Captain Spcer. Then
does not my reputation amount to anything2 have
commanded steamer In this same line for nearly
I've years; could have changed SO very much in a
few daysp At first this report worried me so much
tnat 10 brought on fever but since have arrived In
New York and found have as many friends as
ever can snap my fingers at the report. Have any
OF these gentlemen families III so, let them put
themselves in my place and see how they would like
II. Let them Tor one moment imagine The feelings
OF their families and friends. These gentlemen all
appeared TO be my warm friends, ana while this
scandalous report was being circulated IN New
York was signing paper 10 the underwriters to
indemnify them for the loss OF their clothing. All
men in trouble are subject TO condemnation ana
ridicule and suppose must bear mine; II It were
true would submit quietly, but as tits not true
cannot could say more on the subject, but what
Is the use when few words will express the whole
thiDgP / Am Innocent or the charges-tnat viii
satisfy my friends; what more do wants Yours,
Truly, l.. II. PARTRIDGE