The morning call., 1893-10-01
THE TOLNA CASE.
Captain McNevin Makes
a Statement.
Review of the Relations Between
Count FesteticS de TOlna and
His Tutor.

In reply to some of the statements made
during the trial of the case of Captain E.
McNevin VS.. Count Festetlcs de Tolna to
recover $3.50, alleged to be due on con-
tract and Tor tuition, Captain McNevin
makes the following statement over his
signature:
ION September 10. 1892. Count Rudolph
Fesletics de Tolna came TO my school tor
the purpose of going through course of
practical navigation. l told him, when he
asked me. the ordinary school fee in the
classroom was S75, and that for private
lessons the fee was from SIPS to $3.50.
After he had gone through that course he
underwent an examination and obtained a
diploma as sailing master OF yacht.
Shortly after he had joined the school
he told me he purposed building yacht
and of his intention to have iast-sailiug
vessel similar to the Alsio, and asked if /
could recommend him "A good builder. He
also asked If | could give him plans and
specifications for the class of essrl which
he required. [ told him would do so and
would submit some plans. | then had
plans made by Mr.. Shields, the naval
architect. The plans were drawn In ac-
cnrdancs with my dimensions, AID they
were submitted to the Count. He found
that the plans such as they were would
not be suitable for his purpose, as he
wanted a yacht with fiat deck and plenty
of carrying capacity. He then asked me
TO introduce him to some one tn make a
model. | took him to Mr.. Roban, a
French builder and he made model.
n told the Count that | had superip-
tended the construction of two gun boa 10
for the French Government showed him
the dlmens ons and specifications of those
same vessels, also explained they were
very fast boats and showed him my log
book. He was quite pleased with my
showing and then asked me if / would
undertake to superntend and fit out ves-
sci on the same plan. | told him Turner
was the builder. and it would be well to
see him. He thea told me that he had
heard great deal of Turner and he did
Co. % nj IKE s az ana Bee ef Pen Sdsf Hs he
agreed that as soon as ne was ready to
build his yacht he would give me the
superintendency and would pay me $1,000.
was satisfied and the agreement was
closed.
During these conversations he told me
that be could not well afford to run Yacht
without deriving some revenue from it,
and asked me II | could make any sugges-
tons. | told him when l fitted out
the Talavao | took out a guam
tty of provisions, whisky. liquors and
some few jewelry trinkets, and if he could
get to the Tahitian Islands al the time the
fleet was there. he might dispose of them
10 great advantage. Condensed milk, but
ter in glass jars and such articles were
always in great demand, and such articles
as he could not dispose of for cash he could
exchange for coral and pearl shells, which
would be- salable on his return to San
Francisco. l introduced him to my stew
aid, who has had considerable experience
among the groups, and who would be
good man to assist.
which be had with the yacht Also. He
said that her captain had made a great
deal OF money in trading among those
islands and In bringing back opium, |
then seriously advised him not to UNDER
take anything of the kind. as it would be
dangerous. He not being an experienced
trader and seaman and having a name to
keep sacred he must not do it. He said he
would not run any risks.
After completing his first course he
told me he wished more knowledge.
told him II that was the case it would cost
him $3.50 extra. de made no objection.
On the contrary, he thought that was very
liberal. not only agreeing to the price, but
said he could not compensate me enough
for all l was doing for hun.
"We then started on extra work. going
through the higher branches, making ar
especial study of the laws of steam. the
geographical position Of the islands in the
South Pacific, the best time of the wear.
the best islands 10 trade at and the coast
of China, and | must say he became yery
proficient as to the position of the different
islands.
'As to his denying in curt that he ever
saw copy of the will. l delivered copy
to him personally In my offite, and he there
read 1t In the presence OF my wife and two
sons. He also took that c'py away with
him. l had no interest in gtting that will
only at his solicitation, amt l challenge
him to deny ii.
The witness Emanuel. whaon tho wit
ness-stand swore that did lot pay my
bills and that l owed him at be present
time, makes a grave mistake. lin 1881 I
superintendent the furnishing ostWo gun
boats for the French Governmelt. Twas
advised by the French ConsuIsthat til
Duchess Of Mamona would be Messenger
and to fit up saloon for her. l did so,
buying the furniturr from Emanua. at the
same time telling him the pure see was
Tor the French Government and hat be
had better 60 and see the Consul. lie said
that 1t was not necessary, and put To tur.
niture On board. told him there vas no
appropriation made, but If the iuniture
was accepted tho bill would be paids hen
the boat reached Tahiti.
1.-THE furniture was not acceptA nm
account of the exorbitant price chaned.
and 1t was turned over to the firm of Can
man q Turner of that place. and / hve
my receipt from them. Mr.. Turner isnv
enemy because l insisted ON his carryi9
out specifications in the building of lie
two French gunboats and he lost $4,000. 7
Il have been great many years he's
and have always endeavored to paw m.
bills. but L have not always been in a pos !
ton to do so. 1t is serious to call a man .
thief and rogue because he has debts and
cannot meet them when called upon"
E. MCNEvIN.