Mr. Hill to Mr. Vignaud.

No. 1039.]

Sir: I inclose a copy of a letter from the Secretary of War forwarding a report from the officer in charge of the supplies donated to the sufferers in the Martinique disaster.

I am, etc.,

David J. Hill,
Acting Secretary.
[Inclosure 1.]

Mr. Root to Mr. Hay.

Sir: I have the honor to inclose, for the information of your Department, copy of the report of Capt. H. J. Gallagher, commissary, United States Army, the officer who was sent by the Department to Martinique in charge of the supplies donated by the Government and people of the United States in aid of the sufferers from the disaster of May 8 last.

Very respectfully,

Elihu Root,
Secretary of War.
[Subinclosure 1.]

Captain Gallagher to the Adjutant-General.

Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report in connection with the Martinique expedition:

In obedience to paragraph 18, Special Orders 112, Adjutant-General’s Office, current series, I proceeded on May 12 to New York City, and on the 14th proceeded aboard the U. S. S. Dixie, with $5,000 in cash and the subsistence stores. The Dixie sailed about 9 o’clock p.m., May 14, and reached Martinique on the morning of May 21. In company with Captain Berry, of the Dixie, an official call was made by Captain Sewell, Dr. Clayton, and myself upon the governor, during which tenders of assistance were made and gratefully accepted by the governor. One-half of the stores aboard the ship were put ashore at Martinique. On behalf of the Government I offered to employ a gang of laborers to handle the stores, with the object of hastening the unloading and to put money in the hands of refugees who might need it. The offer was declined with thanks. The stores were placed in lighters by the sailors of the Dixie and Cincinnati and then taken charge of by a French naval officer detailed for that purpose. Receipts for the stores were signed by the governor, M. L’Heurre, who likewise sends a letter of thanks, which is hereto attached.

On May 22 the Dixie proceeded to St. Vincent, and on the 23d an official call was made on the governor and assistance offered, as at Martinique, and gratefully accepted. The remainder of the stores were unloaded here and receipts therefor given by the governor, Sir Robert Llewellyn.

There was some delay in unloading at St. Vincent, due to rain and a shortage of lighters. I offered, as at Martinique, to employ a gang of laborers, and the offer was accepted in a letter sent by the governor, which is hereto attached. I employed a gang of 118 men for two days. These men were refugees, and the money was very acceptable. The total amount expended for labor, transportation, and telegrams was $527.29.

On May 29 the Dixie proceeded to San Lucia to take on coal, and on the 30th to Fort de France, sailing therefrom on the 31st for home. She reached New York on the evening of June 6.

I wish to invite special attention to the willing and energetic manner in which the sailors aboard the Dixie labored in loading and unloading the stores on this expedition. They labored unceasingly when there was anything to do, without a murmur, [Page 415] and the rapidity with which the stores were handled was due to their energy and willingness. Their hearts seemed to be in their work, and, encouraged by their splendid officers, nothing seemed to tire them.

The stores were well selected, and met the needs of the people. By the destruction of St. Pierre, Martinique, the great storehouse and source of supplies of the island was lost; consequently many of the necessaries of life were not available for the people, and nothing could have been more opportune than the arrival of the Dixie. The wants of the needy people were promptly and sufficiently relieved, and on all sides I heard the people murmur their blessings on the American Government for sending assistance to them in this emergency. The same can be said of St. Vincent, where, perhaps, there were more people thrown upon the public because many in the area of devastation escaped with their lives, while but few escaped at St. Pierre.

From its conception to its conclusion, the expedition was one of which the American people may feel a pardonable pride; it was a noble and generous thought that conceived it; it was timely in reaching its destination; it was most gratefully received by officials and people, and I hope I will be pardoned when I say that the officers appointed to carry out the will of the Government on this occasion, while performing their duty as ordered, could not help being filled with an extraordinary pride in the fact that they had been chosen to perform duty in connection with this completely successful and most humane expedition.

Very respectfully,

Hugh J. Gallagher,
Captain, Commissary, U. S. Army.
[Subinclosure 2.]

The governor of Martinique to Captain Gallagher.

Captain: You have been so good as to turn over to us the stores which the United States Government so generously offered to the sufferers of the colony of Martinique.

Permit me on this occasion to beg you to present to your Government, through the Secretary of War, my personal thanks and the expression of the sincere gratitude of the entire population of the colony which suffered so greatly by the disaster of May 8 last.

Please accept, etc.

G. L’Heurre.
[Subinclosure 3.]

The colonial secretary to Captain Gallagher.

Sir: I am directed by his excellency the governor to convey to you his cordial thanks and acceptance of the kind offer made by you this morning in person on behalf of the United States Government to defray the expense of the employment of some 100 to 200 of the eruption refugees, with a view to affording them employment and expediting the landing of the cargo now being put on shore from the U. S. S. Dixie.

I have, etc.

Edward J. Cameron,
Colonial Secretary.