The New York herald., 1873-10-07
secrecy viii be exacted as when the 1rst examlna-
tion was made last summer
DIR. Walkers DiMculties with Captain
Hall.


DIR. Walkers Difficulties with Captain
Hall.
SAN FRANCISCO, CaL Sept. ~, 1878.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
SiR-In the HERALD's issue OF September Il your
Washington correspondent states that some dim
Guilty between DIR. Bessel OF the Polaris, and
myself caused me to resign, and that said would
not expose myself to the vicissitudes OF Arctic
weather with such fanatic on board. In Justice
to myself, and much more TO Bessel, should feel
obliged you would give this statement . most
emphatic contradiction. The whole tenor OF the
article is incorrect. / had ana have the utmost
proud and gratified in having him for q companion,
and am assured that had we been associated on
the voyage OF the Polans. as we were before she
sailed, our efforts would have been united for the
furtherance OF science.
In one thing we cordially agreed-namely, in the
belief OF the unftness or Captain Hall to command
the expedition. Ny own severance from the
Polaris, as well as his reported quarrels with
Hail. arose altogether from vexatlous interference
on the commanders part with the scientific work.
know not how others found Captain Hall, but both
OF us suffered severely from his bad temper and his
quarrelsome and jealous disposition. Bessel was q
gentleman, and 1eel certain never cursed Hall,
while can vouch for Hall cursing me. In common
with many OF the heads OF scientific departments
in Washington, Bessel and myself found bitter
fault with some OF the arrangements OF the expe-
ditlon, and up to the last moment he had the
Ing enthusiasm for Arctic research induced him to
remain with personnel in which he had no faith,
and shut himself up for two or three dreary years
with those with whom he was not In accord.
With the whole civilized world lament the un-
timely end OF the enthusiastic Hall, and sorrow
over the delirious clouds which darkened his last
moments. have kept silent during the entire
discussion as to Has lamented fate and the catas-
trophe OF the Poaris; but when another is ma
ligned through my name must speak.
' d. WALKER, NJ. D.,
and formerly Chief OF Scientific Corps OF Polaris.
The Polaris Poet, Nathaniel p. CONN,
the Carpenter, Adroitly Tells the story
Of the Polaris Expedition-ssChips" in
q Humorous Vein Describes the ssB1g-
gest Thing ON Ice."
[From the Dundee Advertiser, Sept. 22.l
Among the grave and serious things connected
with the fate OF the Poaris and her crew, Mr.. Ma
thaniel r. Comm, the carpenter. has found material
to inspire his muse, and in several verses he has
endeayored to give an indication OF the voyage,
pervaded by quaint vein Of hupor WHICH will
peculiarly strike the reader. The verses are
dated
THANK GOD HARDoR,n SEPT. 10, 1871
ThToggh nelds q ice rom Melville Bay.
jamasd wist Two held. 'as as though she'd stay
Till spring unlocked the ice.
As Isl pacs.ice M crowds i upon no our beam, is''
9 vain od, odr Psr Ssp Is sna
We leave that frigid vice.
Through narrow streams creep away
Towards the shore, and find bay
Where sale at anchor lay,
And thanked the Lord well we may,
For Thank. Gods HaI Dor, nice.
DECEMBER T.
Our prospects now have less to cheer,
Providence Iecbcrg's much TOO near,
And Captain Hall lies buried here,
Besides the cold is a
And big thing on the ice
A good thing in time Of need,
We've Captain Buddington to lead;
We've harness, sledge and canine s4ecd,
We've stores OF pemmican TOR feed,
And willing hearts to try.
five, pc erchance should lose tho ship
Between the berg and shore-ice nip,
We've boats in which to make the trip,
And So In Gods name let her rip,
We've only once to die.
DECEMBER IS
Should we be all doomed here TO stay
Our grave, ships bay-Poaris bay
Our great success would hardly pay
Save to show those who came this way
That there were fools big they;
And while live It's safe to bet
That all the fools not dead yet.