The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-02-26

| nIne-laSh whip termed cat-O'-nine-talls.
! On his return TO Washington after tine
three years cruise he laid the whole matter
OF this system of punishaent in the navy
before President John Quincy Adams,
Joshu K Giddings, Henry Clay, and other
| influential members of congress. A bill to
abolish logging was the result Of his
labors, but the measure was defeated
| IN successive sessions. Chaplain Fisk
/ continued his fight for it., while
all other officers of the navy Of that day
I ught against the passage Of the measure.
PhOtius led the agitation against fogging
| and for the measure in press, pulpit, and
on the platform. The negative majority
| grew less conspicuous in each successive
| year, until finally, near tie close OF the ses-
| sion OF 1850 after four years work, the
| long-conteSted bill passed both Houses in
congress ia the form of a rider TO an appro-
prlatlon bill, which was approved by the
president, and so became law, abolishing
the disgraceful custom. The following is
copy Of the act:
"For the transportation of the United
| States mails between New York and New
Orleans, Havana and Chagres, aud between
Fanama and some points i'll the territory OF
| Oregon, $S74,600 Provided: That no
payment shall be made for such service, ex-
| cept In proportion to the mail service here
| tofore performed, or that may be hereafter
| performed; and that the secretary of the
navy is hereby directed to make payments
in such proportions only. Provided: That
| logging in the navy and on board vessels OF
commerce be, and the same is hereby abol-
ished from and after the passage of this
act"
Chaplain Photius Fisk afterward sailed
on three years cruise on the United States
frigate Raritan, and brought to Washing
ton many botanic treasures, including the
bulb of the wonderful OncidiuH pdpiltO,
yHyHf ho .N14 rnF
the government conservatory. His next
duty was at Pensacola, where, on account
of his abolitionism, ne was held in great
d1sfavor, and was not o9ly socially ostra-
cised, but was subjected to personal indigni-
ties on the street. He often contemplated
the resignation of his office, but Congress
men Giddings and Charles Sumner, with
whom he held friendly correspondence,
counseled him to retain his commission, and
wait patiently for the end of his shore duty.
In 1858 he was ordered to Washington
and then to Boston, where he remained
stationed two years at the Charlestown
navy yard. Here he became intima tely
associated with Lloyd Garrison, Wendell
Philips, Theodore Weld, Parker Pillsburv,
and other anti-slavery agitators. At this
time he began the deep study of the works
of Paine Voltalre, Volney, Robert Taylor,
and other noted authors of their class,
confirming views which he had already
formulated to himself. From this time he
became one of the foremost free thinkers
of the country, and around his table
gathered all the noted free thinkers of his
day. In May, 1859, John Brown was in
Boston making secret preparations for his
descent on Harper's Ferry. Chaplain Fisk
became his friend, and aided Brown in
encouraging advice, and with funds to
strike his blow for the liberty of the colored
race
On the breaking out of the rebellion Fisk
was ordered to report for sea duty aboard
the Powhatan, but his religious views ad
undergone a radical change. He resolved
to resign, but Garrison and Phillips argued
that as he would soon be long enough in
service to be retired with a pension, he
should hold on to his commission. He did
so, and they appealed to President Lincoln
in his behalf. Lincoln gave him leave of
absence during pleasure" with leave of
absence pay, and in 1868 he was
retired with the rank of captain
He made Boston his home until
1868, and then removed to Franklin,
Mass, where he purchased farm of
thirty-six acres. His hospitable doors were
opened to all, without distinction of race,
color. or previous conditions. He had a
large orchard of apples, peaches, and ber-
ries; the fruit he carefully packed and gave
to charitable institutions. He allowed the
poor of Franklin to take wood from his
grounds, but after two years he gave up
farming and returned to Boston and resided
at the Adams house, and in later years he
had lived at various boarding houses in
modest manner, giving his wealth
to the needy and distressed. The
money he received all the years he was in
the service, and during the many years that
he had been pensioned he invested IN very
profitable securities. He had given away
during his period of residence at Boston
over $4,000 His favorits manner of CIV
ing money was to place deserving individu-
ais on his books and allow them $40 per
month. Many anecdotes of his generosity
are told. Once, reading of a rescue of two
men in a boat at sea, he Immediately
awarded 500 to the rescuer.
Deceased has left great fortune, the ex-
tent of which cannot yet be told, and has
bequeathed it to the deserving poor of
Boston. 1t is to be invested, and the in
come used