National Republican., 1884-04-07
COLLINS VS.. DE LONG.

Beginning OF the Investigation Into the
Unplsasnntness OF the Jeannetto Ex-
pedition.
The investigation into the loss of the jean
nette was begun Saturday morning by the
naval affairs. Mrs. De Long, DIR. Collins, En-
gineer Melville, and Lieut.. Danenhower were
present. Mr.. Arnoux, counsel for Mrs. DE
Long and Melville, objected to the inyestiga-
ton on the ground that there had been q
previous investigation of the whole matter.
Tho committee decided against him, and
after some discussion and preliminary ar
rangements Daniel F. Collins explained the
well-known circumstances which led his
brother to join the Jeannette expedition. at
the request of Mr.. Bennett, as meteorologiSt.
He read letters from his brother showing
that De Long was inclined to deprive him OF
all credit which might be gained by the ex-
pedition. After tho expedition started Mr.
Collins was arrested and prevented from
doing his duty. When Lieut.. Danenhower
returned he at first refused to give any in
| formation to witness about his brothers
arrest but afterward said that Mr.. Col
| lins's offense was not serious, ana MS
| condition was such that if he Danenhowerl
| had been compelled to endure 1t he would
have gone over the ships side.
Witness then spoke of the court Of inquiry
| and said he had giveu Judge Advocate Lemly
a list of questions which he desired should be
put TO the witnesses. Lemly said he would
| put the questions but would himself object 70
any question which reflected upon the dead
men. He also advised the witness not ia
appear before the court. Witness said he de-
sired to clear the memory of his brothor, Whc
had been prevented from doing his work ana
had finally died n prisoner, starved to death
on the banks of the Lena He also wanted
tho true account Of the expedition TO 50 before
the world, not the garbled account which mad
gone forth, and no wanted persons WhS
might join future Arctic expeditions to be Oh
their guard against placing themselves IN po
stions they might atterward regret. ~,
Mr Bartlett, frst-class fireman on tht
Jeanette, was then examined and said
''The night Of his arrest Mr.. Collins said HI
and Mr.. Dc Long had had several diherence
! in regard to his position. Do Long nat
, gradually taken his instruments from him
and finally placed certain restrictions OF
, him in regard to open air exercise
lie had been living perfect hell ON earth
he said, and had once told De Long ina
he was watched and dogged as thougl
i he was poor mans cur HS also sai'
, De Long had even stopped his comm
into the FIRE room for water to make cup 0
+. tea, and had directed him to Mr.. Melville 10
his water, saying it was not within Tn
dignity of an officer to associate TOO freel,
with the men," Mr.. Collins frequently com
. planned of ill treatment, The witness SAT-
I that on one occasion during the retreat
heard DO Long say, "Mr. Collins give tina
l. rope to one Of the men" Mr.. Collins az
! not obey instantly, and Mr.. De Long sai'
Z "d-d you, don't you lot mo see you pu
'' your hand to any moro work until l orde
: you" Collins at the time was aiding o.
l. men to draw the sledsi after that no a.
nothing except take care of himsel
!. Mr.. Collinss conduct on board ship and du
Ia ing the retreat, 80 far as witness knew hi
n always been gentlemanly. During the retire
IT the officers performed practically no manu-
J. labor, tho enlisted men doing all but a vel
IT little Of II.
l. Witness thought jealousy between Dane
S. hover and Melville had prevented the par
70 moving TO Belun or searching for DE 10
n sooner than il did. The physical oondlu
of the party would have allowed them