220	JRANNETTE INQUIRY.

Q. But I say, was not that what you wantedf—A. Yes ; that was what I wanted, but it was not done.
Q. Did not the giving of a general order accomplish all that you asked for in that matter'?—A. It might accomplish the object, but I should not know it; I would have no knowledge of it.
Q. I am not speaking about your knowledge; I only asked if that would not reach the result?—A. The benefits accruing might be all right.
Q. Did not many of the men after that time bring you specimens of natural history ?—A. I do not remember whether they did or not; the memorandum will show.
Q. 1 am asking for your recollection.—A. Well, I do not recollect so many of those things, sir.
Q. This is the important part. You wanted to have these specimens given to you, and you considered it a grievance that you did not get a direct reply from the captain in regard to the matter? Now I ask, as a matter of fact, did not the men bring you after that time specimens of natural history?—A. They may have done so, but I do not remember. As I told you, the memorandum here in Washington will show you.
Q. I am asking you. You are under oath here to tell the whole truth ?—A. I do not recollect whether they did or not. I remember the specimens came on board of the ship—pieces of drift-wood.
Q. You won't swear that they did not ?—A. I would not swear either way.
Q. Now, what was the grievance on the 16th of September, 1880 ? The WITNESS. Would you like me to read the copy of the letter which I wrote ?
Mr. ARNoLx. No, sir; I want to know what it was about.
A. It was all about an Arctic fox that was brought in. The affair occurred in the port chart-room, as I stated here.
Q. Now, when you say that as a rule the intercourse seemed to die out, did that seem to you to have any special origin ?—A. It seemed to wither like a plant for want of nourishment.
Q. And was there any one person that you considered in any special manner to blame for that ?—A. Well, I don't know, I am sure. You might consider Captain 1)e Long the pot that held the plant.
Q. But I say was there any one person whose conduct brought that about, in your judgment ?—A. Well, it would be pretty hard to answer.
Q. Did Mr. Collins show any more desire to maintain intercourse and to prevent this withering, as you call it, than any other person on board the boat1 should say he did on some accounts, certainly.
Q. Was it when he complained of the Irish songs that he showed a desire to keep up a good feeling ?—A. No, sir; it was when he wrote that ditty for the Christmas entertainment there in 1879 or 1880, one or the other.
By Mr. McADoo :
Q. Where were you at the time he wrote it I—A. In the ice, sir. I think it was Christmas, 1879, but I do not remember; the log will show, probably.
Q. How many Christmases were you in the ice?—A. Two.
Q. Was it the first or second oneThat I do not remember, I am sure.
Q. It was in the ice anyway'?—A. Yes; my impression is it was the first. I am pretty sure it was the first, now that I recall it.