New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-01
THE REARSARGE TO SAIL TODAY
SUDDEN CHANGE IN THE COMMAND OF THf
vESSEL-MINIsTER DOUGLASS LATE
GETTING ABOARD.

Frederick Douglass, United states Minister to
Hayt arrived I'm town yesterday, accompanied by
his wife, her companion, MIS-. Parker, and prf-
vate secretary. Late last evening the party was ex
pected to board the Kcarsage, which was lying at
the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The start for Hayt will
be made about 0 O'Clock this morning.
Commander Edwin NJ. Shepard was yesterday after
relieved from duty the Kearsage, and Com
mender W. H. whiting ordered to assume command
This sudden action Of the Navy Department on the
of the voyage gave rise to many theories as 10 its
cause, and It was suggested by evening paper
that Commander Shepard had brought it about by
arrangement he had made on the Kearsarge, which
was construed By Secretary Tracy a an intended
insult to the Minister. II In effect that the
whole OF the captains cabin had been set apart for
the exclusive OF Mr. Douglass and his party in
order that the Commander might not be thrown In
their company or be under the necessity Of messing
with them This, coming so soon after the difficulty
brought about by the aversion which the officers Of
the Ossipee expressed 10 taking the coored Minister
to Hayi when 1t was learned that such duty had
been assigned to that vessel thought TO be more
than the Secretary'S idea of naval discipline and
honor could bear, and hence Commander shepard
was promptly relieved from his command
A Tribune reporter went to the Navy lard last
evening to learn when the party Of Minister Douglass
expected to arrive and what theories were on
tertaned regarding the detachment Of the Com
mander. Everybody the Kea sarge was busy
making preparations for the voyage to the Black
Republic, and unless tho disorder and untdlness of
the decks speedily remedied the reception of
a Minister of the United States TO foreign Power
would scarcely have been as well provided for as
the rules OF the Navy and official etiquette demanded
Commander Whiting not on board, but nobody
knew what time the expected passengers would ar
rive nor any Preparations making TO receive
them. The only thing that had been done accord
ing TO the statement Of the officer In charge of tho
deck, that Commander Shepard, before being re-
lieved from duty, had expressed his intention Of Civ
ing up the of his cabin for the Douglass party
Tho officer looked upon this as most generous and
cOnslderate inasmuch the captains cabin has
Only four sateroOms and the continual entrance of
officers and oreres an hours of the day and n CHIT
and I'm al kinds of weather would seriously incOn
venience and disturb the guests.
The officer said that Commander Shepard was
highly esteemed by the officers and men OF the Kear
sarge, and his relief from command was mater OF
regret and had OccasiOned great surprise as his term
of duty did not expire for several months. lie rl
cul,d the doa that rseVing the cabin could be con
sdeIed I'm the light of insult TO Minister Douglass
and thai the action Of the secretary of the Navy De
parment due TO anything else hut irritation with
the course OF Commander Shepard In connection with
conveying the now representative OF this Govern
ment to Hayti.