The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-20

mony and the Report OF tho Score
Herald Account.
The report of Secretary Robson and the
testimony taken by him in the Polaris investi-
cation, which we publish elsewhere to-day,
will be found deeply interesting and strongly
conarmatory of the accuracy Of our first and
exclusive descriptions of this unparalleled case.
1t was o mistake, we think, to have ever
made the investigation secret one,
although Secretary Robson was, doubtless,
actuated by the best motives. He may have
considered it his duty to prevent unnecessary
sensatonalism about the sad affair and to pro-
tect the names and regulations of the parties
who have had as yet no opportunity of de-
Tending themselves. But the public have
rights as well as the missing explorers.
They are entitled to demand an ac-
count Of everything that transpired at
this secret investigation, and the Secretary of
the Navy, we are glad to see by the publica-
ton of his own views as o sort of commentary
part Of the public. In order to learn what is
demonstrated by this report and what is
proven by the evidence it will be of interest to
summarize here the leading points in the re-
port and testimony of q case so highly i'm
portant to the public.
In his report to the President Secretary
Robson states that he associated with him.
self as examiners in the investigation Comma
dore Reynolds, the senior officer of the Navy
Department; Professor Baird of the Smith
sonian Institute, and Captain Howgate, of the
Army Signal Service. These gentlemen,
by their position, learning and expe-
rience, and the interest evinced by
them previously in the expedition of
Captain Hail. were admirably suited for
calm, dispassionate and thorough examina-
ton of the particulars of the case afforded
them by Captain Tyson and his party. The
Secretary feels great reluctance in publishing
the strong expressions of feeling on the part
of some Of the witnesses against Captain
Buddington, but he wisely concludes
that it is better that the testimony
should be given to the public intact
than to give occasion to sensational
and alarming conclusions by suppressing any
portion of it At the same time he wishes it
to be distinctly understood that the Depart
ment, in the publication of this testimony,
neither makes nor declares any judgment
against Captain Burlington" This is but
simple justice towards q man who is absent
and unable to defend himself. The prin-
cipal result of the investigation was
to suggest the necessity of immediate
relief for the lost explorers. The
Navy Department not being provided
with o vessel suitable for Arctic navigation,
Secretary Robson proposes to fit out the
steamer Tigress, of the sealing feet of New.
foundland, and to send her in search of the
Polaris. This vessel was built purposely to
contend with the difficulties of the Polar Sea,
and special interest is attached to her for
being the rescuer of the survivors
on the ice foe. The United States
steamer Juniata precedes the Tigress, and will
start at the earliest practicable moment to
Disco, and, if possible to Upernavik, for
the purpose of carrying forward the neces-
sary coal and supplies. communicating with
the authorities Of Greenland, obtaining
information and sending encouragement to
those on board the Polaris. Thus it will be
seen that the Navy Department displays laud-
able zeal and energy in the affair, and that
every exertion will be made to clear up this
dark mystery and to extend aid to the missing
crew.
The testimony of the survivors of the ice
foe, taken by Secretary Robson and his
associates, bears out in its principal features,
as well as in its minute details, the graphic
story told by the HERALD month ago. The
arrival Of the Polaris in Robson Straits, the
highest latitude yet attained by an Arctic
voyager, so Is; the barrier Of ice islands that
stopped her further passage north; the heroic
exertions of her Inflated commander to pene-
trate the mysterious sea beyond; his sad and
unexpected death; the resistless upheaval Of
the ice against the vessel, causing her to leak;
the removal of stores and provisions to one of
the huge foes that surrounded the ship; the
final separation in wild Arctic night, when
the Polaris broke loose from her mornings and
disappeared in the storm and darkness, leaving
the forlorn party on the ice to their fate; the
frantic attempts made on the next day by
Captain Tyson and his companions to call the
attention Of the men on board the Polaris
then within signalling distance; the weary six
months on the ice foe, drifting from
Northumberland Island to short distance
from the coast Of Labrador, and the well
come rescue of the nineteen men, women and
children by the sealing steamer Tigress, form
the same plain, unvarnished tale that was
flashed across the wires to us from Newfound-
land four weeks since. Even the particulars
of the sickness and death of Captain Hall,
the witnesses, would indicate foul play some
where, and the conduct of Captain Buddington,