The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-26
the CASE or carr nIaelNsom
Secretary Herbert De.ies that ne Apoio-
ciz-I for Removes Hin from Duty.


WASHINGTON. Sept 25.-secretary Herbert
to-day made public the correspondence with
Capt Francis N. HigRinson. who was summa-
rily rem owed from command OF the cruiser At
lanta in May last for his alleged attomrt 10
thwart the orders OF the department directing
him to proceed to Nicaragua and protect
American interests there during the recent
revolution in that country. Various state.
ments have been made in newspapers within
the past week that Secretary Herbert had ac-
knowledged himself in fault in removing Capt.
Higginson from his command. This is denied
by Secretary Herbert. and he points to the cor
respondenco to disprove tho assertions OF Can't.
Higginson's frtenda With tho letters that
passed between himself and Capt. Higginson
Mr.. Herbert furnishes a prepared statement.
IN which he says:
Tho statement that Secretary Herbert had apo,o
Rl1ed to Capt ligginson for removing him from duty
and offered TO restore him to command upon Die own
application not borne out by the facts ami u
rin ally denied that Capt. iRrnson Is entitled to ina
credit OF having discioael to tho department the cond
ton Of the Atlanta when s'o was ordered to- 20
Capt. Higginson opened the correspon dencs
IN letter in which hs " ventures to believe that
the department now recognizes the fact that
it noted hastily and without n full knowledge
OF the circumstances" md therefore respect
fully requests. mot as a favor, but as an act o.
justice" that he be returned to the command
Of tho Atlanta at the earliest date practicable.
ground that Capt Iliggnson knew why he had
been removed and had tailed to ask for court
Capt. Hssinson then r"guesied court court mar
tial Secretary Herbert sent an immodiateau-
swer. IA which he informed the CAPTAIN that
ture from Greytown. through endenyorinc to
have the Engineer in; Chief OF the navy rctort
1t had been decided that they were not. eS"r-
ccised controlling influence in his rem"Na.
make nm explanation OF this infrin cement "t
naval regulations. aud he is told that hrs lam
Y o esy s ds
present" says the Secretary propose TO or
cec court martial upon you"
Soon after this letter was received hy him
Cart Hgginson made, written explanation
Of the causes that induced HIM to DELAY ;hs
Atlanta's departure. and in reply Secretary
Herbert wrote long letter. in which. after
quoting Capt. Higginsons rcasons for asking
the aid OF III" EnGine"r-in-t h'eI. he says
e ss. on fep a y rso
commsndot The atlanta hid 1t knInn at the timo
contents OF It's despatch above rttefrsG t." although it
"ss sa o y to be Srv sow ."re 70.
such telegram. what the reply OF tho department had
The despatch, in question said that the At
!arta must not delayon account OF her boiler
az she her hnd 5arG fee t WnI many
Secretary Herbert takes capt. Higginson to
task for not acquaintinC himself with tho
orders OF the department res pect ing the boiler
tubes and in the face OF his denial. makes
some comments rs follows:
Admiral Gherard says that you were on board tho
Atlanta the morning of tie 18th and he thinks you
then saw ne boiler tube de. ",rh yonrs. You do
letter that IL you had known what that despatch
was your respect for the authority of tho secre
Ss2s S s;Ds; ia z.
on the morning OF tho 18th. after you had tn.
despatch to Chief Engineer Melville. which 4:22
OF the evening before. 1t seems that apology for
your persistence would have been proper At thai lime
been guilty "f to the least. improperly you
were Indifferent and silent
In conclusion Secretary Herbert says:
Subject to the Limitations in this lettrr the depart
ment accepts apologies and and
herein referred to wn0t be permitted TO
prevent being assigned to sucn duty your
entities yon to perform whom opportunity Oners The
proposes to close this matter here but
In compliance with the Secretary's request,
Capt Higginson made acknowledgment as
follows:
]. have the honor to powledge tho departments
letter OF the 18th inst. informing me that II 1t had
facts IN my chre would not have been removed from
the comma nd OF the Atlanta
2. The receipt Of this information Affords great
qualification. and respectfully request that may
~ Captain as early as practicable.
1t was this construction placed on Secretary
Herbert's action and published in the press
TO the publication OF the whole correspondence