New-York tribune., 1878-02-21

OF Merida was described, ana stdtemcnt fhhie
to show how complete were the onht OF the ship ano
the attractions of life on board including, they did,
large library saloons for work. study lectures, and all
other uses OF a scientific aad educational tour" good
stewards, etc Added to this, was the promise that
musical aud other entertainments best calculated 70
vary and relieve the STRAIN Of study will form prom
ncnt feature OF life ut and in port" The pamphlet
atcd that the City OF Merida had been secured as well
ms full corps OF college professors and The services OF
Commander John W. Philip, United States Navy,
to navigate the vessel On the strength OF these repre-
scntatlon effort was made to obtain eighty
subscriptions TO the voyage OF $4,000 each. Consd-
cradle interest awakened among college men, but
1t appears that few If any subscriptions were obtained
and money paid the contract for the ship,
and at the end of ninety days the contract was aban
doned The Of the City Of Merida were told that
their ship unsuitable.
The promoters then adopted the plan OF pOpulariziDg
the expedition and OF obtaining less costly ship The
Ontario suggested wooden screw steamer OF 5000
tons capable Of accommodating 400 passengers which
formerly n the line to Brazil under the Garrison
contract This vessel been laid up in port for several
years, and is rusty and In such poor repair
that she looks like a wreck, although she is, never
theless held by brokers TO be good and seaworthy
vessel when put in repair. Mr.. Thompson, the broker
was ordered to negotiate for her purchase, when
he did. conditional contract OF ninety days was
signed for the ship for 100000 Another pamphlet was
then issued announcing that the character OF the expe
dtion had changed somewhat that the terms were
now 10 be $500 and go 900 according to stateroom,
and that the Ontario had been secured for the voyage
around the world The time OF the departure fixed
for October 20. Pictures Of the ship were distributed
and in August the announcement was made that the
ship was beng lifted up for the voyage" Not dollar
was paid however, either on this contract or
the previous one, nor was there any money
spent on fitting up the Ontario for the voyage.
hava renured 100000 repair,
cauk, paint, and fit her up, and the promoters
neither had money to invest in the work themselves
nor were able induce ANYBODY else to do It, The nego
tation the Ontario unfortunate arrangement
for Mr. Woodruff and General Macauey because peope
who here 10 talk about committing Their sons to
ihe care OF this long aud perilous expedition wanted
the sbp; and although the vessel was staunch
enough pu in repair It's aspect was depressing 10 those
unaccustoned to the sea- aud some country youths are
said TO have been afraid to aboard Of her October
ias faSio expalalSsn xss an% mr. Woodruff finally
admitted to the broker whom he had employed nl yea
capitalists that he was bankrupt, and really had no
money himself to put into the EXPEDITION. Inc Dr9Ker
then Withdrew rom the enterprise, with Mr. Woodruff
in his debt -
left the enterprise at This point Commander Phliip
trusting 10 the representations made tn him about the
ehafaesl ol ne nhainrd ned an nn "rer Getac him
from The command OF United states manoi-war, the
Adams in order to take command OF this expedition ana
navigate the ship The difference between his sea pay
and waiting orders pay was Sl3O month. Ihe ar
fncnt Win MI. NOOlfuH was tHdt thls
made NJ him. Up TO september be had not received
dollar O II from the promoters OF the expedition ana up
absndoned TIC whole business. On the 10th Of Decem-
Der he again secured command OF manof-war. tre
TuscarOIa ,-.
Mr. Woodruff then tried 10 raise money for their enter
prise ugh the ship broker e proposed to Mr JhOmp
son that the latter should obtain the cooperation o some
Of h- financial and commercial friends and askca him 10
obtain loan two certificates OF Indianapolis water
graphiug 10 the president OF bank in indianapolis for
Information in regard 10 the worth OF the stock the
that the city had cancelled its contract with Woodruff
and that the bonds were not quoted.
TIE NEGOTIATION WITH Mr.. ROACH
Tue promoters of the enterprise then applied to Mr..
John Roach TO induce him TO build ship for the eXpedl
tIou and lend hs toward making IT success Mr.
Roach told them that he would like to connect his
with an enterprise of tho sort which they represented
that this 10 be, provided was conducted III man.
nor 10 secure the confidence OF the public and the
Of 1.-THE expedition. lie proposed that they put
their affairs into the hands Of Drexel. Nor
gan & 90. or some such house, so as to give
them standing In NewYork City; and that they
should then call meeting of the fathers of the young
men who were To go the expedition. who should
themselves appoint men 10 manage the funds and affairs
OF the expedition, so to that everything was
properly conducted. He said that an expedition Of this
sort should only go to a vessel not only
thoroughly staunch and Trustworthy, but one so well
provided against accident that If she should meet with
trouble even the coast OF Africa in the islands of
the Pacific, her company would not be left ashore
helpless but would be provided with the means to put
things In order and gu They ought 10 have ship
not fancfuy finished but one adapted To the re-
aremens of TIE expedition and built for the purpose
Mr.. Roach promised, II they would comply with the
terms stated that he would build them good. swift aud
suitable thip under the inspection of European
or American underwriters, the propreOrs might elect
and that he would allow 100000 Of the cost Of the ship
to remain in 1t the expedition. that being his contr
button toward the Of the enterprise. No con
tract OF sort made, verbally or otherwise. Tie
builder merely stated The terus upon which lac would
act \ check Of $4,000, sad to have been obtained
from young man in Boston about TO become heir to
large estate was offered to him sign contract. but
was refused until the conditions above named had been
compiled with. Mr.. Woodruh urged to go 10 the
bankers who have been referred TO.
The advantage taken OF the conversations with Mr..
Roach Will be seen from circular which was immed
a,ey Issued from the Nicholas Hotel, dated October
90 1877. .ncd james o. Woodruff, director and Daniel
Macalley secretary. This document says:
Fully realizing how sacred Is our duty tn those who
intrust their lives aud keeping in hands for two
cannot he revoked we have counsclled with older and
wiser men, with experienced officers and nayigators, and
are mpeiled e llsteu to what NJ fst seemed unpalata
bie, but upOn mature refec We accept as the
most prudent and sagaeGns step yet taken by
upon such basis as must necessarily commend
ITSELF all without reserve, who aIe concerned IN our
execution. Our eminent advisers represent thai no
vessel has sailed from America lrcigliot with the
ho and dearest interests OF many families ard that
even an extrayagance OF action excess OF caution
the part OF management had better be adopted by
which all may not only believe hut know beyond per
adventure that nothing possible To wealth or skill is
omitted in prcpaIatlons IN other words, that We
must make assurance dOuhly sure Disregarding
own preferences and opinions IA to the suflicieDcy
OF this or that vessel OF any length OF time |
in service, aud knowing there new |
ones under nag, fitted, without great alteration
for all the peculiar wants OF such voyage. We have to-
day arranged with the great iOnshp builder John Roach
for Immediate building o Of the finest vessels
ever to be made by him. he expressed H.
his most perfect work" He will take especial pride
ana pleasure its progress from first TO last. and give
IL ali the strength and beauty for which he has Justly