National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-04-30
THE JEANETTE INQUIRY.


Engineer Melville Continues His Testi-
mony--Lieut. De Longs Course the
Ntsest Under the Circumstances.
Subpenas were issued this morning by the
chairman of the Jeanette subcommittee for
John r. jackson, Berlin correspondent of the
New York Herald, who, tho committee is
informed, has arrived in Now York, and two
or three other witnesses The examination
Of Mr.. Melville was continued.
A series of questions respecting the geog-
raphy the region whore Dc Long landed
we're asked by Mr.. Armour, with q view 20
showing that with the information in tho
poss 'ssion of the expedition the wisest course
open was that taken by De Long. Mr.. Mel
Vile expressed his belief with emphasis that
the course taken was tho wisest for the safety
of the party undor tho circumstances aud
with the means and information at hand.
Witness said he had never seen any of tho
officers while on the retreat resting
and summing themselves, while the men were
compelled to work, as had been stated by
some Of the witnesses. Witness himself was
constantly at hard work with the men.
Witness did not see any interference by De
Long with the movements Of Mr.. Collins.
On the retreat the latter was frequently be-
hind with the sick. but this was, so far as
witness know, by his own choice.
Judge Arnoux asked IL witness saw any act
of insubordination on the part of Mr.. Now
comb on the retreat which justified punish
ment. He said "Yes, sir; l, as n commits
stoned officer of twenty three years standing,
would expect to have been punished IL had
acted in the manner he did" He was asked
II he said anything about poison, or had any
poison with him on the retreat Ho said
that he and DR.. Amber frequently talked
about the proper course to no pursued in an
emergency, aud arrived at the conclusion
that under no circumstances was anything
like cannibalism to DO permitted. If m
emergency arose which would suggest can
nibalism they determined to take cyanide Of
potassium and put themselves out Of the
way. As matter OF fact, however, they left
the vessel in haste and took no poison witt
Thorn.
Mr.. Melville said he knew Of no mutinJ
among the men on the ice. The reason fol
Starts suspension was his refusal to go back
when ordered after pair OF moccasins h'
had thrown away. Witness had never enter
tanned any intention of shooting Mr.. New
comb. He know that Mr.. Danenhower wa
dissathed because witness was placed IL
command, but Mr.. Danenhower was Away
perfectly subordinate during the retreat.
He never saw any drunkenness on Thu
Jeanette. The "orgies" which had beer
spoken of were melted by two ounces o
whisky per man each week. He knew of NJ
restrictions on Mr.. Collins in regard to writ
ing materials, nor did he know that gam
was made of that gentleman by the officers
The attempt of the Jeanette to reacl
Wrangell land was proper, witness thought
under the circumstances.
The purpose of driving the ship into tn
ice as hard as the engines could drive he
was to separate the leo and enable the vesse
to get to Wrangell land.
Capt. Dunbar, witness said was q fine speci
men of an old sea captain. He was as gen
tlemanly in his behavior and his intercours
with the officers as any mossmate he ever hat
On REORGANIZATION, % number of question
were put with tho apparent intention O
showing that there were settlements nea
the Siberian coast, due south of where tn
Jeanette sank, but the witness answered /
general that the Arctic literature he ha
been able to read before the retreat did nc
so inform them. The officers of the Jear
nette had no definite knowledge of Wrangel
land.