Year: 1873

mittee meets.


TREATMENT or THE POLARIS SURVIVORS


The original appropriation for the Arctic
expedition of Capt. Hall was SjO,OOO and 1t
was only through the persistency of Hall him
SELF in his personal communications with
members of Congress, that so much as
this was voted. AS has heretofore been stated
in The TRIBUNE, the principal supporters OF
the application were prominent New-London
merchants and ship-owners, who, without hav-
ing any confidence in Capt Halls ability 10
accomplish the results sought, were quite
ready to indorse his petition for Government
aid in fitting out the expedition, upon his
representation that the money would be cX-
pended in New-London, and would be an adj
vantage TO the town. The outfit of the PO-
laris, however, contrary to his promise and
their expectations, was procured elsewhere


in Washington and at this portland the only
benefit derived by New-London from the ex-
pedition was the privilege of seeing the Polaris
as she lay in the harbor. 1t was remarked at
that time with some surprise that there was
nothing lacking in her outfit; that money
seemed not to have been spared, everything
necessary being on board, and of the best
quality, so that instead of $4,000 there must
have been not less than S15O,00O expended on
her. 1t was quite mystery how the Navy
Department could fit out the POaris expedi-
ton so completely within the appropriation.


But there is much greater mystery connected
with the treatment of the Tyson party, which
lately arrived at Washington. A Government
vessel was dispatched, as will be remembered,
Immediately on tho receipt of intelligence
that Capt. Tyson and his nineteen companions
had arrived at st. Johns, n. f., with orders
to bring all the survivors to Washington.
Nothing was done for the relief of those who
Iemained on the POlaris, and who at last ac-
counts were in peril, but a Government YES
sci was sent mt once to take on board Capt.
Tyson and his company, who were safe on
land, and might have reached Washington by
ordinary conveyance at less expense and in
much less time than by the Government YES
sci sent to Newfoundland expressly for them.
Instead of landing her passengers at New
York, the Frole, under the orders of the De-
partment, steams on down to the Potomac
and up the river to tho Washington
Navy-Yard. Arrived there, this ship
wrecked crew, after two years. alb
sence from home, and an unparalleled ocean
voyage of SIX months on an ice floe instead
of being allowed to go to their homes or
enjoy their liberty, are practically put under
arrest and all communication with them is
forbidden. Not until the Secretary of the
Navy has had an interview with them, and
subjected them to the test of rigorous cross
examination, are they allowed to step on
shore, and even then they are required TO
make solemn promise to indulge in no con-
versation with any one as to the results of
the voyage, or any circumstances connected
with it, This is certainly strange treatment
of shipwrecked men who are not charged
with or even suspected of any Offense, but on
the contrary are deserving of great credit
and consideration for having served the Gov
enment faithfully at cost to themselves of
unexampled hardship and privation.


Not less singular is the treatment of he
Esquimaux, Joe and Hannah, and the rest. A
few days after the arrival of the Frolic at
Washington it was gravely announced through
the Department that the natives were suffering
intensely from the heat, and it would be
necessary TO send them as soon as possible to
a colder climate. Then it was stated that tae
Department had decided to send them to Wis
casset, Maine, as though they were polar
bears, where possibly they might be packed in
ice during the Summer. This is very neat
little piece of humbug. Joe and Hannah are
not such delicate Arctic plants nor any
such strangers to sunshine. They have
lived several years just up here in
Groton, Conn.,, and own property there
now. Why were they not sent there7 Why
to Wi5casset2 And why was it necessary to
go to the expense of sending them by a Gov
ernment vessel, tho Tallapoosa, when there
are several railroad trains from Washington
each day by which they could be transported
much more speedily and at much less expense
to a cooler clmatel While the Talapoosa
lay at the Navy-Yard here with our distin-
guished Esquimaux guests on board, no one
was permitted to communicate with them, and
yesterday they were taken in charge and sent
forward to Wiscasset, Me-. passing by their
old homie in Groton on the way.


Meantime Capt. Tyson and the rest of his
companions are detained at Washington with
sealed lips, while Secretary Robson, whose
name has been given to a channel somewhere
in the wintTy seas, continues his examination
and cr0ss-examinatiOn with the purpose of
eliciting something useful and scientific in the
way OF geographical information. Great power
seems to be invested in the Navy Department
We. do not propose to inquire whence Mr..
Robeson derives 80 much authority; we passed
that stage Of curiosity a great way back. But
1t does occur 10 US that tho GOODNESS of tho