Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-04-07
FROM WASHINGTON.
The Subcommittee of the House TO In
vesiigate the Loss of the Vessel.

Ec SuUsSOmmitteG Vi tuC hlOuSc ~ lue
vesiigate the Loss of the Vessel.
WASHINGTON, April 3.
The investigation into the loss of the Jean
nette was began this forenoon by the House
naval affairs committee. Mrs. DeLong, Dr.
Collins, Chief Engineer Melville, and Lieut.
Danevhower were present. Mr.. Arnoux,
counsel for Mrs. DeLong and Melville asked
to have admitted to prove preliminarily, first
that the court of inquiry organized in let
ter of DR.. Collins to Hon. WIN. d. Ashburn
MINI, stating all points of the complaints
second, that the resolution of Congress and
instructions to court BASED on that letter
and covered every point in it; three, that Col
lins had full opportunity to appear before the
court and to produce evidence, and had per-
sistantly failed to appear, although they made
no complaint or objection to the constitution
OF the court; four, that they sent
questions to be put to the witness, which
were all put. and all that were appropriate
were answered and every point they made
was duly inquired into, notw outstanding their
default of appearance; fifth, that the court
was conducted openly, fairly, and with full
development of all facts material to the OBJ
ject of the INJURY.
If facts were admitted or shown he would
ask to have the investigation stopped as un-
necessary, or else that before proceeding the
complaint should state, first exactly what he
expected to prove; second, the witness or
documents by which he expected to prove it,
and should; third, show that the facts were
in such addition to those which appeared and
were considered by the court of inquiry as to
justify another investigation.
The committee RULED under the resolution
Of the House that they could not restrict the
laip % in fhipus af tho bpUinninU
Curtis requested Mrs. DeLong to produce the
journal of Captain DeLong, and that all the
records connected with the expedition be pro-
duced. These things were agreed to. Danl
+. Collins, brother of Jerome J. Collins, and
author of the charges which led to the inves-
tigation. proceeded 70 make his statement.
He explained the circumstances which at
tended his brothers joining the expedition,
stating that he went in the capacity of met
earolgist, at the request of Bennett He
read letters written by his brother to show
that Capt. DeLong was disposed to deprive
him of any merit which might accrue from the
expedition. He had stated that he was ar
rested and prevented from performing certain
work allotted to him by Bennett rs part of
his duty. When Lieut.. Davenhower re-
turned the captain asked him the reason for
his brothers arrest, but at first he refused to
give him any information. Subsequently
Lieut.. Davenhower said that Collins offense
was in no way serious, but his condition had
been such that if he (Davenhower) had to
endure it he would have gone over the ships
side. The witness went on to state that early
after starting out in the hunting of testimony
he had written to Rep. Washburn, and the re-
suit of the resolution introduced by him in
the court of inquiry was constituted. He
came on to Washington, and had conver-
nd I axrtr in rhinn
he gave that officer list of questions which he
desired should be propounded to the witness.
Lewly replied that he would ask the ques-
tions, but would object to any question which
would reflect on any of the dead men. He
also advised the witness not to appear before
the court. The witness regretted the neces-
sity for the investigation, and sympatbized
with those who lost their relatives on the ex-
pedtion, but he had a three fold purpose in
asking for the investigation. First, his
brother, starting as a repres entative of the
New York Herald had been prevented from
performing the duties he had been engaged
to perform, and finally died prisoner on the
banks of the Lena, and he wished to clear
his memory. Second, the facts should be
known, and the true history of the expedition
should go before the world, and not the
grabbed statements which had gone forth, and
third, that those who should go on future
Arctic expeditions be on their guard against
placing themselves in position which they
would regret.
Bartlett, first class fireman on the JAN
nettee, was examined. He said Collins
served as weather reporter up to the time of
suspension from duty did not return to duty
for year. The night after his arrest Col
lins said to him that he and De Long bad
several differences in regard to his (Collins)
position; De Long gradually taking his in
struments from him and finally placing re-
strictions on him in regard to open air exer
else had been living perfect hell on earth,
he said, and had once told De Long that he
was watched and logged as though he was
poor mans cur. Collins frequently COM
planned of ill treatment; on one occasion.
during the retreat, witness heard De Long
say "Collins give that rope to one of the
men," Collins did not obey. Melville and
De Long said, "d-n you don't you let me
see you put your hand tojany more work until
order you Collins at the time was aiding
the men to draw the sleds. After that he did
nothing, except take care of himself. Col
Inns conduct on the ship and during the re-
treat, as far as witness knew, had been gen.
tlemanly. Witness thought that jealousy
between Danenhower and Melville prevented
their party moving or searching for De Long.
| The physical condition Of the party wou Id
have allowed them to move and he thought
| the transportation could have been obtained
there were small chances Of finding De Long,
however, he said.
Adjourned