National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-07-28
GEN. HAZEN'S DEFENSE.
Lieut.. Garlington's Counsel and the Public
Informed Where the Responsibility for the
Early Failures to Relieve Greely Lies.


WASHINGTON, D. c., July 26, 1sS4.-MR.LIN-
DEN KENT: Your letter of the 22d instant,
which / first saw In the newspapers, calls for q
reply, because 1t accuses me of trying to shift
responsibility to Mr.. Greedy and your client,
Mr.. Darlington.
deny having in any manner, either by tact or
intent, done this, or that anything published by
my consent or authority could lead to such an
accusation.
have Invariably declined to be interviewed
on these subjects and anythlog that may have
been published contrary to the foregoing re-
pudiate. But in the three newspapers you
have called my attention to rs the ones on
which your structures are written the Wash.
ington star, of July II, and TOs, Of the lSth and
10Th, there is nothing authorizing what you
claim.
There is an important fact connected with
this question which you disregard. Beiorcthe
first expedition started the whole plan, en-
braCing depots, their size, number and Local
tiOn, time of leaving station, andsroute of re-
treat In 1888, with the entire scheme for the
three years, and rescue afterward, was care
fully elaborated and reduced to complete
plan.
Being Mr. Greelys expedition it was proper
that he should prepare all these instructions,
which he did.
SO iar as could be seen the plan was faultless,
and II was approved.
After reaching his Arctic station Mr.. Greedy
relieving ships OF 1882 and 1SS3--that Is, the
work of Mr. Beebe and Mr.. Garlington-em-
braClng the plan OF rescue more complete, and
differing somewhat from the first one, ending
with these words: mo deviation from these
instructions should he permitted. Latitude OF
action should not be given to u party who on a
known coast are searching for men who know
their plans and orders"
Mr.. Greedy was on the spot and was the
proper person TO make this plan, and II was
adopted and became necessarily the plan of
rescue and the only prearranged one there
could be. There was but one thing to do, and
that was plainly and simply to carry II out.
This was literally done by myself Mr.. Becbc,
and MIR. Darlington and | am fully RESPONSE
Bile for il up TO the sinking of the ship. For
doing this you attempt to hold me cuipable.
This Is what have always said, aud there Is
not u shadow of reflection upon Mr.. Greedy,
nor has there been an attempt 10 shit respOn'
sibilty TO any one. This shows that In every
thing done rclatingto depots and the selection
of LittlctOn island instead of Cape sabine as a
depot and the intention to land the depot on
the return of the vessel In case 1t did not reach
Mr.. Greedy, aud not on the way up, We're all in
exact accordance with theseplans aud In them
there was no room for discretion.
The dcpots upon the route were established
so far as the boats reached, just us lgreeo
upon as to locality, quantity, and kind ol
stores.
! There Is not the shadow of reflection upon
Mr.. Greedy in this, nor upon any one, ana IN
publishing your letter you have entirely mis-
represented me,
There never was n more carefully elaborated,
painstuking. and conscientious plan Of work
| than this, both by Mr.. Greedy and myself, and
| there could be none where the pTearTangeI
| plan, upon which everything must depend
| was adhered 10 with greater fidelity. Nothing
| could induce me to reflect upon Mr., Greedy
but on the contrary, the greatest praise Is due
| him.
In reviewing the past all men see much
they wish had been different. This covers all
| you or any one can Justly say In criticism.
Before leaving Washington Mr. Greedy i'm
pressed upon ine rs forClbly US any man could
| aud rightly, the absolute necessity Of support
| ing him literally In the way we hud prear
| ranged or as he might direct after reaching
| his station, saying that strong influence would
be brought to have the plans changed, Just as
| there have been.
Responsibility under my direction ended
| with the sinking of the Proteus, and Lieut.
| Gurllngton's conduct up 10 that time had beer
perfectly efficient,
A well recognized custom OF service makes Il
| improper for Mr., Darlington or myself to pub
| llcty discuss the action of the court of inquiry
| This rule equally applies to the counsel o
| both Nor does II call for great astuteness L
| see in the light of past eventSl wherein plan
might have been better at first SO rs TO hay,
Incl alterOccurrences II would be rs just to hOlC
| to personal account Il commander who II
| battle, in obedience TO duty, had drawn tn
! fire of the enemy by his own well directed vol
| lies from which brave men were killed, a
| your efforts seem 70 be In this matter.
| fail 10 500 any sufficient reason for YOU
writing me the letter TO which this Is reply
or in your beooming my accuser when you be
| W. B, HAZEN