Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-31
CHIEF FEATURES BROUGHT TO LIGHT


one who knows me and has acknowledged my
previous services in Africa. to suspend turtner
public comment until the true course OF events,
both in Africa and in England have been fully
laid before you,
COMPETITION WITH STANLEY'S BOOK
Sir F. De Winton himself states that it is no
personal enmity toward me that has Influenced
his action, but that he considered the publica-
tion of my book would interfere with the sale
of your forthcoming work. This was his 1ustl'
fcation for bringing an action against me.
think this will strike you, as it did me, as d
very ridiculous idea, for no book OF mine could
compete with yours. and cannot arrogate TO
as suggested by Sir F. DeWInton.
If l believed my publication would have
has occur ed, should have hesitated before
carrying out my intention. for would have
been most unwilling to be the cause OF INJURY
to one under whom have served. and II may
be allowed to say it, for whom I entertain SO
much admiration. l trust. under all the cir
cumstsnces. you will pardon the length OF this
explanation.
beg you to remember me with all kindness
and cordiaity to my late comrades, the other
officers of the expedition, Looking forward to
seeing you all before long, l remain, yours
faithfully, J. ROSE TRoUP.
As he failed to receive any reply TO the
above letter he wrote again, enclosing copy
of it. Stanley replied on July 5, 1890:
REFLECTIONS ON THE MAJOR.
l am sorry that the great demands on my
time from various people and varying circum-
stances will not permit me to reply at any great
length to your letter. l have before this re-
ceived your written statement, but, as wrote
to you, the incorporate language and the re-
Elections on the Major required eliminating be-
fore it could enter my book.
Mr.. Herbert Ward wrots statement also,
but as you observe, it is clear; straightfor-
ward narrative, and it was published by me IN
justice to him. You decline to alter your
statement SO as to relate your narrative from
your point of view without heedlessly attack
ing Que who is dead and cannot answer for him
self and you could show no letter or written COM
municaton from the Major which would prove
tn at you protested against certain resolutions
which involved the rear column in disaster and
subjected Its members to appalling suffering. A
mere glance at your contract ought to convince
You. on reviewing all. that you have failed In
the programme of your duty.
First-1 agree to place myself under the com
mand of Mr.. 81. M. Stanley, and to accept any
postal position in that expedition to which he
may appoint me.
FAITHFULNESS QUESTIONED.
Second-I agree to serve him Loyalty and de-
votedly; third. to obey all orders; fourth. TO
follow him by whatever route he may choose;
fifth, to use my utmost endeavor to bring the
expedition unto a successful issue; sixth,
should I leave the expedition without his
orders 1 agree to forfeit all claim to pay
due me, to return passage money and to
become liable to refund all moneys advanced
to me for passage and outfit; seventh, under
take not to publish writing connected with the
expedition, or to send any account to the news
pagers for six months after the issue OF the
official publication of the expedition by the
leader or his representative.
Can you declare in all seriousness that you
have been faithful to any one of these seven
articles enumerated above? If you can per-
suade yourself that you have done SO. cannot
but admire your easy views Of duty and hope
that you will always find employees disposed to
take the same views as yourself of your duty.
As to article !. my command has been issued in
the letter of instructions to you and your COM
rades alike.
ASKING FOR PROOF,
Can you solemnly say that you observed the
command or followed the suggestions? If So
give me proof, not your diary. but a letter or
note from Major Barttelot acknowledging the
receipt of protest from you against staying
the Yambuya, against sending my bag
gage down the river, against deserving
the vital effects of the expedition,
such as medicine, provisions, wine. etc.. against
sending yourself home, against shooting the
soudanese for stealing piece of meat. against
the reported seventies we have heard of, |
against the act to which ]. were in Yambuya, |
could have taken exception to.
Second, do you consider you served me |
loyalty and devotedly by stripping me naked or |
remaining silent while I was being reduced TO |
poverty? Third, do you consider you obeyed |
You follow my route2 Fifth, did you use your |
utmost endeavors to bring the expedition |
into a successful issue by skuking in |
your house for some weeks by brooding over |
fanciful wrongs (these l only know through |
your verbal confessions to mel. and finally ac- |
cepting sick leave from Major Barttelot? Well, |
Stairs was sick, too, but he pleaded to be |
allowed to follow us. The Samales were sick |
al 40 n IN Dleadpd We
have all been sick but you're the only one have
ever had on an exploration expedition who &C. |
cepted his leave from subordinate.
CONSULTATION ON VITAL STEPS.
Sixth, Having left the expedition by per-
mission of the Major, did you agree to forfeit |
all claims to pay due you, etc.? Seventh. |
About the last clause, can you deliberately say |
you denied yourself the pleasure of publishing |
or attempting to publish anything?
Before responding to these questions, try to |
understand that Major Barttelot is my repre-.
sentative with the rear column. the ordinary |
duties of the defense and conduct of the camp |
o of the march but should any vital step be |
proposed to be taken he is to take |
the voice of Mr.. Jameson and of
are in camp. and these gentlemen are to be adj.
mitted to his confidence and to be allowed to
speak freely their opinion You say you were
r0s eonsutss sets sscdd oneS to d
manding officer. ask why not?
The same commission that recognized him as
the senior officer of the rear column gave Won
also right to speak freely your opinion
and to be consulted upon all vital
steps proposed. Why was this right not
exercised as much as the other? You are
it is true, to submit to his authority. but you
are also to observe that his authority is exer.
cised judiciously and wisely because you are
bound to be loyal and devoted to the expedi-
ton as per contract and your reputation de-
pends on it.
CAUTIONED TO BE CAREFUL,
Your friend and friends rely on you, and if
you will reflect little. for score and more
reasons besides The commanding officer has
no right to exercise any authority unwisely
tyrannically or cruelty, and you
are not expected to obey him If he attempts to
do so, because you are all expected to render an
account of what you have done later on and
you will expect recognition from
your friend and principal in the expedition of
the good that you have done, This letter of |
yours to me, take it, is plea for this recogni-
ton. Well, state the good that you have done.
prove it. and am satisfied. 1 desire to know
it, to see it with your eyes, and to appreciate it.
Following this is discussion of the
duties OF subordinate in regard to the
failure to prevent Barttelot's acts.
My private opinion Is reserved for myself
alone. Some benefit of it, however, 1 give in |
my book to you and your friends. can give
no more witout evidence from both sides.
Said Troup tonight: 'You will see that
in the foregoing letter he brings forward
disgraceful charges that really do not refer
to me at all, although he blames me for what
happened. The injustice of his accusations,
made as they are without documentary or
az far T can learn anv evidance can |