Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-06-20
The I'OlnriS Expedition.

ton Chronicle:
''While it is true that the report of The Board
states that in their opinion the separation was
accidental, and while it is equally true that in
Captain Burlington $ absence, without an OPP
portuui,y Of being heard, great injustice may
be done him, it nevertheless is clearly evident
FROM the testimony that the statements hereto
fore made are fully sustained by the evidence
submitted. At the consultation in September,
1871, held on board the Pularis rclatyeto push
ing further northward, all parties were 10 favor
of advancing. Buddngton, however, announced
that he would be damned if the vessel should
move for them" 1t is evident that Capt Hail.
for some reason or other, was fully convinced
of BuddiDgton's disloyalty, and alarmed at his
conduct. Capt Tyson himself teslifies that
Captain Hail. before his death, was about sus-
pending Buddugton for foul language, and
taking everything he cuDld lay his hands upon
That this feeling regarding Burlington, and
the influence Of his conduct on the crew Was Il
source of vcxaton annoyance aud fear to Capt.
Hall up to the time Of his death is clearly cv
dcnced from the entire testimony. How much
influence this may have had upon Capt. Hall in
occasioniug his death no person eau possibly
conceive Captain Buddington appears to have
been of strong WILL exctabl lie temperament, and
iusurbordoate to a criminal degree.
"On the death of Captain Hall, uddington
assumed command, and remained entirely luac-
tive for whole year, until June, 1872, swear.
ing that he would be damned if anybody should
do anything" On the 18th of the following
August he starts for home with the vessel and
is beset with ice at Cape Frazier, IN latitude
so q, an act occasioDcd by his drunkenness.
The testimony further shows that he was COZ
tinually becoming inebrlated on the alcohol be-
longing to the medical stores OF the vessel; and
that he and the doctor had fight on the deck
about his stealing the liquor. On the 18th OF
October, when the separation took place, al
though the testimony is not very clear, it is
nevertheless, evident, that Buddington gave
the order to throw everything overheard, and
drove number of the crew, including the Els
uuimaux, from the ship. The whole party driv-
en- FROM The ship were those in favor of going
on with the expedition. 1t is also little re-
markable that the crew and provisions should
have been 80 equtably divided, and that Bud
dington and his own party should have remain
ed on the ship and have been preserved in ap-
parcn!ly good condition, and that the men at
the pumps and the fireman should announce
that the ship was all right After this an
nouucemcnt Buddington gave the order him
self to hcave everything overheard, and ordered
Hannah, the Esquimauy woman, who wanted
to stay IN the cabin, to go on the Ice with the
girl, notwithstanding her protcstations that
the fireman had told her the vessel was all
right As 10 the means of the separation OF
the party il is evident that the actual truth can
never be asccrtaincd until the return Of the
Polaris, but it is quite plain that Tyson and
Meyer are fully impressed with the belief
that While the separation may have been accl-
dental. the tanre of the ship to make any cf
fort to connect with the deserted party, who
were within sight, and but four miles distant
the next morning, looks as if the separation
was full5 Intended on the part of Buddiugton.
Captain Tyson well says in his testimony, Il
knew we we're about TO be abandoned for some
cause or other; | could not tell why" The con-
duct Of Buddingtoo has developed, By this tcs-
timopy throughout, the fact that he is subject
to the scvcrcst criticism and ensure His adj
mittcd drunkenness, upqucsti0ncd profanity,
and his open INSTRUMENTATION impress Us with
the belief that the failure Of the expedition is
attributable to him alone, and should subject
him to the sevcrest punishment. We have no
anticipation Of there being any complete record
of Captain Halls diary during the journey
The fact of soulc Of his papers coming into the
possession Of Buddington and when the sug-
geston was made that they should be sealed
and preserved, his remark, "D-n his papers, "
and his informing Captain Tyson that he was
glad they were burned, because there was
something 10 them that be did not want to get
out, shows that his heart was not in the cxpc-
dition, and that he was fearful Of having his
base conduct shown up to the world. His eX-
pressions of joy or of qualification over the
Iamented death of Captain Hall Indicate
,,,I l,.,l,I han 0,,X
other separate act Of his.
THE testimony throughout agrees in the
main points.
THE WHEAT PRospECr -Farmcrs are Of
ten termed great croakers, and some persons
perhaps, believe that the farmer has been
drawing upon an imagination highly colored by
his fears when speaking of the wheat prospect
10 this county; but the fact is, if we may judge
by what we saw the other day while taking
drive into the country, the disaster to the
wheat by the fly has not been ovcr-rated. We
saw fields in the Wildwood neighborhood that
will hardly yield bushcl of grain to the acre.
The bottom lands on the river may produce
1t is said, something like half crop, and the
yield in Long Marsh township may approx
mate this estimate. Elsewhere in the county
the prospect is gloomy one. = CIurke Courier
In SOME parts of Warren county the wheat
will be ready for the reaper next week. While
we hear of some excellent wheat IN Page and
Shenandoah counties, We are Informed by our
best farmers that the average yield will not be
more than half CROP Shenandoah Valley
The wheat harvest will commence in some
localities Of this county: next week. The yield
will be much larger than anticipated, We are
told by our friends in the country, though not
an average crop.-Page Courier.
INcENDIAR1sM.-Th National Board of
Fire Underwriters, at their late meeting in the
city of New York resolved to raise fund Of
sl000 900 for the detection, conviction and pun
ishment of parties engaged in the pefarious
business of incendiarism and arson. The Elk
ccutive Committee of that Board, at their
meeting on May l4th, 1873, carried out the
resolution and opened the subscription.
We hail this movement as step in the right
direction, and commend the action as one not
only likely to benefit underwriters, but also to