National Republican., 1883-11-23

pose and that from that time till
July, 1883, when no was relieved from
Of Congress he was sen" engaged IN such study and
preparations holding equentinterviews and con
sultations with me upon these subjects, during
Lady franklin bay and two to Point barrow, with
the best Of food, cloihing, boats seds, and every
thing else essential to the progress of that work;
or, in short, that during all this period oftwenty
months, and up to the sailing of the Protcus, very
careful and adequate study aud consideration was
will prove by Con. Hawkins that upon my
requsiuuns he carefully selected, bought, and
shipped both by tho Neptune in 1882, ana Proteus,
in 1883. Ia ample quantities, the freshest and best
outfit Of subsistence stores that II was possible 10
get In tho markets of the United states. l Will
prove also that the means were not only adequate,
but were selected and prepared with that care
which only high devotion to sacred duty can
give.
The bearing Of nll this upon tho subjects before
this court Inquiry Is that failure to do these
duties properly would subject me, by the terms Of
the oruer oonvening the court ana by good 0d-
ministrntion, to trial by general court martial,
which would amply deserve.
l neglected none of these duties, and when that
fact is questioned the right to prove in the most
unequvocal manner that did not neglect them
claim ns my right.
II is stated ia substance, in your letter that so
long rs 1t Is shown in court thnt proper Efforts
were made by the chief signal officer to do all
these things ho could not be held accountable for
what might happen aferwnrd
The world. as well as this court, places a very
different estimate upon man who tries TO do his
",
it well, no matter how bard he tries.
i can prove to this court beyond all reasonable
doubt that this work was well done 70 the last, and
wish the privilege OF proving H.
Iwill add, that kilograms TO bo answered In
writing WIN in all probability, in few days,
bring all require.
Thcre is no claim by anyone that the crew of
the Proteus failed TO obey any order, or 10 do its
duty before the disaster. and l wish to prove the
fact, that by law and custom in those waters, the
fact of shipwrock itself discharges all hands.
There no longer pay nor officers, and when ono
OF those men. after the sinking of tho Proteus
failed To obey promptly tho captain, not from q
spirit of mutiny, but they did 80. because under
their laws and customs he had no authority over
them. am respectfully YOU, obedient servant,
w. B. HAzEN,
Chief Signal Officer.
After recess DIR. Harrison, member of
Lieut. Garlington's party, was briefly exam
ined. lie said the Proteus crew were perfect
pirates. He saw several of the crew packing
up clothing while stores were being removed
from the vessel, which they told him had
been given to them. The crew did nothing
in regard to saving provisions. He saw them
sitting around smoking and drinking on the
ice while stores were being gotten out of the
ship, and later saw them breaking up canned
goods.
Witness did not think Capt Pike was up
to tho standard of shipmasters. He ran his
vessel aground twice on tho way north
thro' carelessnoss. Witness was told by
G Pike that he could not get the crew ho
wished to take north. After tho disaster
Capt Pike had told witness he had no power
to restrain his men from pillaging, and, in
substance, that tho men were scoundrels.
Witness had been told by one of the CARING
ton party--he thought Sergt. Kennedy
that the Proteus crew we. planning raid
upon the stores and boats of Lieut.. Darlington.
The court at 2 o'clock went into secret ses-
sion, and upon opening the doors adjourned
until to-day.