The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1898-07-27
LIEUT.. AOBSON| 5 WELCOME
The Hero of the Merrimac Arrives
In Washington on Impor-
tant Business.
SECRETARY LONGS HEARTY WELCOME.
with the Authorities Upon Plans for
the Raising OF the Cristobol Colon and
Adding Her to the American Navy
Expedition Urged.
Most Agreeable Event OF the Day.

WASHINGTON, July 23.-The last and
most agreeable event of the day was
the arrival at the navy department of
Lieut.. Ilobson, the hero of the Merri-
mac.
The officials were not informed of
his approaching visit except through
the newspapers. Consequently when
he reached the railway station here at
2:3S o'clock this afternoon there was no
| official there to meet him and his re-
ception was truly democratic.
lie Succeeded In Escaping
observation as he passed through the
train shed, coat and umbrella in hand,
and followed by a porter proudly car
ryiug his baggage; but before he
emerged from the station some one
spied him, and in moment the sta
ton resoundcd with vociferous shout
ing. The cry of "IIobson, Hobson, :"
rang out, and the crowd closed about
him, shaking his hand and pushing
him about until he was rescued by the
police and escorted to his carriage.
Said All OF the Men of the Merrimac were
Safe.
He stopped long enough to announce
that all OF the men who formed the
crew of the Merrimac were safe and in
the best of health, and that after he
had made his report to the navy de-
partment he expected to return to New
York. The officer was at once driven
to the Army and Navy club, and after
brushing himself up he drove over
to the navy department.
This time he carried with him, un
der his arm, large official envelope
| which bore in the corner the inscrip-
ton North Atlantic Squadron" AS
he approached the Office of the secre
tary of the navy there ehsued another
demonstration. A large crowd had
gathered about the doorway and the
hearty welcome it gave the young otfi-
Ger brought bushes to his cheeks.
Received by Secretary Long.
Secretary Long came out of his
private office and grasped Hobson with
both hands, saying with sincerity:
Lieutenant, l am glad-very glad to
see YOU" then he drew him into his
Office, where the lieutenant was intro
duced to Assistant Secretary Allen,
and was greeted by Capt. Crownin-
shield, Capt Bradford and Pension
Commissioners Evans, who happened
to drop in. He spent half an hour in
conference with the secretary, and
then returned to the club to rest.
Did not Bring Admiral SIMPSONS Report.
Secretary Long stated that Hobson
did not bring the long-expected report
from Admiral Sampson and his brother
officers on the destruction of Cervera' S
squadron. The exact purpose of his
visit was explained by the following
order under which Lieut.. Hobson had
come to the United States:
Naval Constructor Hobson's Commission.
UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP NEW YORK FIRST
RATE, OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, July II, 1898, -
SIR: You will proce ID north in the ST. Paul
to New York; thence you will proceed to WASH
ington and report to the secretary of the navy
and acquant him VITA the object of your visit,
as set forth in my letter to him OF this date,
regarding the work upon the CriStobal Colon.
Explain to him fully the position and condition
| of that ship, and re ;eive his instructions re-
gardns it.
BE as Expeditions as Possible
In bringing the matter to a termination. in or
der that, if it is practicable to do this fine
ship may be saved to the Unite States navy
When this duty is com olete1 you
VIII Ask for Orders
From the secretary OF the navy. Otherwise
you Will return t duty on board this ship.
Very respectfully,
| w. L. SAMPSON,
Rear Admiral United States-Navy. Command
| er-in-Chef United States Naval Forces,
North Atlantic Squa Iron.
| Il HOhSOu
| United States Navy, United States Ship New
York.