The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-21

Tented c0untryman, Dr. Bessel, although as said
before, he kept in the back ground. By the time'
however, the vessel reached Holstenborg, the
iu-concealed
ANlMosITY TOWARDS HALL,
simply because OF his position and the supposed
honors that awaited him did he prove successful,
became so decided that discipline there was none,
and the whole ships company was becoming de-
moralized. When the Poiaris arrived at Holstein-
borg there was in the little harbor a Swedish ex-
petition consisting OF brig and a small steamer
then on its way home. Mr.. Besse had almost made
up his mind to abandon Halps expedition and re-
turn with the Swedes. At the last moment how.
ever, he decided TO remain on the POaris."
'WOuld his absence have affected the expedi-
ton 20
"Most assuredly. He was the only medical man
on board, and owing to the existing state of aairs
more than half the ships company would have
gone with him. In fact, Bessel was in position
he could not be well done without, and his services
were indispensable, and he knew 1t well, as he
subsequently informed me. The impression left on
me by Halls conversation was that no effort was
spared to undermine him in the estimation Of his
crew. Here is another point. i think DR.. Bessel
was determined to make the expedition as much
German in its character as was possible to do. he
had q great deal OF influence over the men. In
writing letters to Petermdnn's Reuiew he styled
the undertaking
THE HALk-BEssEL EXPEDITION,
evidently intending that all the credit should not
60 to America. But II Bessel was an ambitious
man he was certainly. a most accomplished physi-
clan and naturalist. Indeed, l have rarely met his
equaln
"ln what way did Captain Buddington show hos
Utility to Captain Hall r'
NJ He
was coarse, ignorant man, and l should judge
easily persuaded by those whom he regarded as
superior In intellect. But / never heard Captain
Hall say that Buddington was his enemy, and he
told me everything. On the contrary, from what
/ understood, he and Buddington were good
friends, though whether a friendly feeling existed
between them after leaving Disco l cannot say.
Captain Hall said 1t was hts express
wish that no spirtuous liquors should
be taken on the Polaris. but that Dr. Bessel had
requested and obtained supply as medical stores
by order OF the secretary OF the Navy. In reading
the testimony taken at Washington see that Bud
dington is accused OF drunkenness, but cannot
how he could have procured the liquor
except through Dr.. Bessel."
''Dtd you see much of Captain Hall at God
havnY
eyes, every day while he was there He was
very much excited when he found that Bessel had
been working against him. DR.. Bessel also visited
my house several times, and being scientific stu.
dent myself had an opportunity of forming good
opinion OF his capabilities. But he spoke very dis
of Captain Hail. claiming that he was
unfit to command the expedition and that If he
(BesseD left it all the Germans would follow him
deal of reasoning he apparently became resigned
to his position"
MEYER INSUBORDINATE.
.'what was the immediate cause OF Captain
Davenport's intervention?"
''rhat l cannot say; but about this time Mr..
Meyer became very insubOrdinate, refusing to
the authority OF Captain Hall as his SUI
perior, and otherwise fomented trouble At length
when Captain Davenport was appealed to. he
promptly suggested the prOpriety of putting
Meyer in irons and taking him back in the Con-
gress, a course that would probably have been
adopted but for the threats Of DR., Besse to aban-
don the expedition in case Mr.. Meyer left the
Polaris-a circumstance which would have
sealed the fate Of the undertaking at
the start. AS / have already said, DR.. Bes-
sci was the only medical officer on board, and
what with his influence over the men and his
knowledge as q scientific observer his presence
was absolutely necessary"
Through the firm action OF Captain Davenport
and the good offices of the Rev. Dr. Newman. then
Chaplain of the Congress-. Though sorely perplexed
Captain Hall finally accepted the situation. Indeed
there was nothing else for him to do except to
abandon the expedition altogether and that would
have broken his heart. Under all the circum-
stances there was evidently
CONSPIRACY ENTERED INTO AGAINST HALL,
and he struggled hard TO counterfeit It's effects.
He told me he would endeavor to preserve dis
ciplne at all hazards and SO long as the Congress
remained in the harb0r he succeeded. But pref.
udice had already been established against Hall,
more especially as he had expressed his intention
OF having his men to eat seal and walrus meat, in
order that they could the better stand the severity
Of the Arctic regions, and suppose that told to his
.'Did you yourself ever notice any display Of i'll
feeling between Captain Hall and DR.. Bessel ?''
ayes. Besides knowing Of its existence from
had with both gentlemen, saw an
exhibition of 1T in my own house. The evening
before the Polars sailed CAPTAIN Hall called on me;
DR.. Bessel had already arrived. They were at first
very reserved toward each other, but finally gave
waytO
STRONG LANGUAGE.
The situation was not at all agreeable for myself
and wife, DR.. Bessel finally left the house. and
Captain Hall told me in very excited manner OF
the difficulties with which he was surrounded
that he considered DR.. Bessel was acting as a spy
on him, and that despite all his efforts he appre
hended further difficulty. He then placed in my
possession for safe keeping four boxes containing
ali his private papers, including the result of his
abors " hen in search Of Sir John Franklin saying
that, as he might never return, he would not take
them with him, and that as he did not wish to
send them to America by the Congress he pre-
Ierred to leave them in my charge"
''was any reference ever made to the contents
Of those papers ?"
captain Hall conyersed more with my wife
upon the subject than with me. heard him say,
however, that they contained some
IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN RELATION TO THE
FRANKLIN EXPEDITION
which had never been published and which he HAD
determined to keep secret until after Lady Frank
ms deathn
"Dd he assign any reasonr'
"He was very reticent as to the revelations set
orth in the papers, and seemed averse to have
The matter brought up in conversation. But l